It could have been a great movie.

Rating: 7/10 (24 July 1999)

I work in the TV news business so I was Star Wars-out the day it opened. I love sci-fi movies but even I waited almost 3 weeks to see and stood in line for about 15 seconds. If I had waited any longer than 30 minutes I would've been angry. Star Wars-Episode One:The Phantom Menace played really well when it played to adults. The opening intrigue as Qui-gon and Obi-wan are betrayed is captivating. Their adventures are worthy of the last 3 Star Wars movies, but unfortunately Jar Jar stinks and the kid who plays Annakin cannot act--when he was on with Jay Leno he was great. (Didn't Steven Spielberg and Ron Howard who have elicited great performances by kids and supposedly saw this movie back in April say anything to George?) However inspite of two major flaws "1" soars. Liam Neeson, Ewan MacGregor and Natalie Portman are much better than the so-called "critics" lead me to believe. The f/x are truly breathtaking (I'm sorry but really special f/x still blow me away after 20 years of serious filmgoing)--especially the backdrops of Naboo and Corascant (sic). The light sabre battle between (an underused) Darth Maul and the 2 Jedis is spectacular. The Senate scenes are a bit talky but plot is interesting and the action scenes are awesome. Lose Jar Jar and the kid and you have a great movie.