A really good time for all fans...

Rating: 8/10 (20 May 1999)

This film is a true showcase of what is to come. The effects are stunning. George Lucas' imagination is something we all should marvel at. Are there holes in the film? Yes. Are there weaknesses? Yes. Is it a good movie? Emphatically yes. The movie had two strikes against it before it came out - we know the ending which makes it somewhat predictable, and it has a huge bill to fill. Character development is somewhat lacking in the first half-hour, but you get a true sense of who Qui-Gon and Anakin are. The pod-race is wonderful, and the lightsaber fight scenes make the original Star Wars fight scenes look like bar brawls.
One thing to look for: ET makes an appearance in this movie. Can you find him?