Excellent!

Rating: 10/10 (23 May 1999)

I am a Star Wars fanatic, and I have been waiting to see this movie since I first heard they were making it several years ago. On Tuesday, I realized that at midnight I would be finally seeing it. And I was worried. I didn't think it could possibly live up to the hype, I'd heard bad things about Jar Jar, and the critics before the movie came out had really chewed it up. So, I was first in line, first into the theatre, I sat through it, and I loved it. Not only were the special effects great, but the acting of the Jedi (Neeson and McGregor) was terrific, Natalie Portman was interesting as the queen, and Anakin was excellent. There wasn't a whole lot of overly intelligent dialogue, but I wasn't expecting it, that's not why I like Star Wars. And the foreshadowing and allusions to the later films, both those already out and those in the works, were absolutly terrific, especially Palpatines line to Anakin, "We will watch your career with great interest." I don't really know how this movie stands on its own, I haven't had time to fully think it through yet, but I know that as part of the Star Wars Saga, it exceeded my expectations -- by a long shot. Do yourself a favor and sit back, relax, and enjoy the show. Don't analyze it, the movie theatre isn't school, enjoy it.