Hey, it's Star Wars

Rating: Null/10 (5 December 1999)

I enjoyed this film.
Let's be honest with each other, when it comes to plot and acting, the first three movies didn't exactly blow you away. Star Wars was basically a sphagett western wrapped up tight in a sci-fi tortilla shell. Nobody knew who the actors were in the original Star Wars. Any science fiction reader who'd cut his or her teeth with the likes of Heinlein, Poul Anderson or Frederick Pohl would have recognized the much over-used plot. Harrison Ford's acting was so-so (especially in Return/Jedi) and everybody cringed when Chewbacca did his infamous Tarzan yelp as he and two Ewoks make a beeline for an AtAt Walker.
What I'm getting at, folks, is that plot, dialogue and acting were never highly regarded in any of the three films. What placed it in the hearts and minds of many throughout the world as the best movie ever made was its fantastic special effects.
How does the Phantom Menace differ? It's plot is lacking, dialogue terrible, and acting just so-so? What's the big deal? Who cares! But what special effects -- oh that pop race! Oh the Darth Maul death scene! Oh the "New York City" planet of Corsusant!
C'mon, THOSE were sights and sounds we were hoping for, and received. Star Wars isn't "Chariots of Fire." It isn't "Out of Africa!" It's Star Wars! It's samauri drawing steel; cowboys facing off in the downtown square; a Texas Ranger leaping to safety as the wagon scoots over the cliff; the screaming damsel saved untied from the railroad tracks by the hero at the last possible moment!
And imagine the task Lucas faced: Fans wanted the new movie to BE like Star Wars, but to be DIFFERENT, as well. They wanted the humor but new plot ideas. They wanted new characters but old ones had better be there, too. With this type of hype from Star Wars fans (almost as bad as Star Trek fans) Lucas was doomed to failure even before he shot his first frame of film.
The movie was pure enjoyment. Pure adrenaline. No other sci-fi movie has been examined, then torn apart on basis of plot and dialogue. Why begin with this movie?
It met the one true requirements of a Star Wars movie: it was fun. Leave it at that, sit back, and enjoy.
A thumb's up, always.