The plot is fairly simple. The nasty Trade Federation is collaborating with a sinister dark-side-of-the-force guy called Darth Sidious to take over the Old Republic, starting with the planet Naboo. Two Jedi knights (Neeson and McGregor) are sent to negotiate, but get sucked into the conflict, enlist the help of a floppy-eared underwater-dweller (Best) and then travel with the planet's queen (Portman) back to the seat of galactic government. But on the way they get stranded on the desert planet of Tatooine, where they meet a young boy (Lloyd) who has a strong presence in the force. Meanwhile, Sidious and his assistant Darth Maul (Park) are trying to stop them.

That's pretty much it. The plot moves straightforwardly without much real action (only two scenes manage to get the adrenaline going - the outlandish pod race and a particularly vicious light saber duel). The characters are also straightforward, which is another problem. Although they're set up very nicely for future adventures, they don't have terribly strong personalities here (none of Han Solo's sarcasm or Leia's impatience). Only young Anakin Skywalker comes alive as he dreams of being a space pilot. In this sense, it feels like Episode III instead of I - like we're watching a young Luke, instead of his father. Even so, the film so envelops us in its atmosphere that we are carried far, far away in fine style. There are lots of wonderful tidbits to remind us of what's to come, some wink-wink nods to fans, and the focus on a legendary prophecy recasts the entire saga in a whole new light - and makes it impossible to think that Lucas won't go on to make episodes VII, VIII and IX. In addition, the digital effects are remarkably good, John Williams' score is fantastic, and the end comes far too soon. Worth the hype: Yes. So how long is it until Episode II?

[PG violence, suspense] 26.May.99

• 24-hour box office (19 May): new record US $28.5 million (beating The Lost World's $26m).
• Weekend box office (21-23 May): The Lost World holds its own with $72m; The Phantom Menace could only manage $61.8m.
• Five-day box office (19-23 May): new record $102.7m (beating The Lost World's $90.2m).
• 28 days to $300 million (15 Jun): faster than previous record-holder Titanic, which took 44 days. In addition, Titanic took 58 days to reach $50 million, while Episode I looks likely to reach that point in 35 days.

"I waited over 13 hours for the midnight premier since I'm a big fan and was hoping the first people in would get special souvenirs. We went in at 10:30 and got a theatre t-shirt, which I gave away. By 11 o'clock the line was done and 60 seats were still unfilled! The movie started with high hopes but no one clapped or cheered for about 30 minutes. There just was no action. When awkward moments did happen or occasional moments of excitement appeared, they were too quick and unreal looking. Too much digital, fake looking effects. And that Jar-Jar has to go. He should have gotten it early on. Maul was not very evil or repulsive. No Darth Vader-like strangle grips here. Not many lines either. I had high hopes, but in the end I was dissapointed. There was no plot or characters to identify with, no Lukes or Solos. Even the queen was cold, snotty and forgetful. The Jedi were too stiff and evangelistic. Not the kind I would look up too. Especially since they fight dirty, two on one. I don't think I will see it again, except maybe for the scenes of the old characters, such as the tusken raiders up to their old tricks!" --Robert H, net.

"Without giving away anything BIG about the story, the movie kicked major booty! Welcome back to the George Lucas-created world of Star Wars. This movie definitely had the feeling of Star Wars and was worthy of the title. A few problems were how fast the movie seemed to be going, a mix-up between Queen Amidala and Padme, and the loss of Anakin getting any credit for his major help at the end. (You'll have to see it to understand.) Eagle-eyed fans can also catch some cameos by earlier actors. Warwick Davis (Wicket the Ewok in Jedi) can be seen sitting next to Watto during the pod race. I even think I saw a quick glimpse of George Lucas in there. I do recommend that if you go to this movie, you make sure you have seen Episodes 4, 5, and 6. Otherwise you might get lost in all the translation of the story. Like the fact that the character of Senator Palpatine in this movie is the one who becomes Emperor. (Hint, hint--pay close attention to what Yoda says.) Other than some of the stuff I've mentioned above, the movie is VERY good. You MUST see this film in the theater. It won't be as good on TV. The characters are somewhat colorful and Jar Jar will drive you up a wall with his 'Weesa gonna die?' questions. I'm definitely seeing some Oscars going to this movie this year, like best director, best special effects and best ccore. And that's another thing, get a hold of the soundtrack if possible. 'Anakin's Theme' is cool because it has a kind, light tone like Anakin but is also laced with pieces of the 'Imperial March.' So see the movie, get the soundtrack, buy the toys and may the Force be with you!" --Robert A, Texas

"I have been a die-hard Star Wars fan for around 20 years. I have more questions after seeing Episode I than answers. This small skirmish with the Trade Federation over a little insignificant planet such as Naboo is not going to start the Clone Wars. I hope George Lucas just doesn't make something that is not believable so he can cash in on the name. Darth Sidious only has two episodes left to destroy the Jedi, start the Clone Wars, recruit Darth Vader and declare himself Emperor. The only criticism I see of Episode I is that the actors seem to have a hard time acting against a green screen. There is nothing for them to interact with and you see this in their body language, making the film a little cold. Unlike A New Hope, The Phantom Menace has no soul. I hope George Lucas ties into his next two episodes what was said in the first three movies so it is a good believable flow on. Using the technology that we saw in The Matrix would also be a good idea." --Steven M, Australia.

"Amazing effects but not much more than that. Very wooden acting from many I thought (Portman for one) and that ridiculous creature Jar Jar Binks drove me mad - just plain silly. This is the first Star Wars movie I've ever seen and I couldn't help thinking the whole thing had been a massive swizz - was this an extension of the brand portfolio too far?" --Jo B, London.

"We got in line at about 8:30pm. It was great! People were BBQing steaks (the theater didn't mind), others brought TVs and were either playing N64, Playstation, or watching Episodes 4, 5 and 6. It was a party, complete with people dressed as Obi-Wan or Darth Maul, while others waved their light sabers around! They let us in the theater at 10:15pm, I guess because they wanted us to buy stuff. And at exactly 12:01am the theater darkened and the audience went nuts! We booed every trailer, except Austin Powers, of course. As a HUGE Star Wars fan, I'm am obligated to really like the movie. And It is easily the best visual movie I've ever seen. As a HUGE Star Wars fan, I am obligated to see it more than three times, because it is the best visual movie I've ever seen. Having said that, I have to admit it moved kinda slow. And there was not as much fighting (space battles or light saber duels) as I had anticipated. Some interesting characters were introduced, but either lacked personality or was not developed (we really don't have a chance to hate Darth Maul). And if they had personality, it was forced (specifically Jar Jar Binks). But Episode I still has the look and feel of all the Star Wars movies. It's not quite The Empire Strikes Back but it is still one of the best of its genre." --Al R, Los Angeles.

"I've seen the big Star Wars twice. I was dismayed the first time I saw it. To me it was kind of a letdown. I was ready for all the action-packed scenes. And that Jar Jar Binks.... Then the second time I saw the movie I thought, 'Hey, it isn't bad.'" --Yvette R, Los Angeles.

"At the risk of being deemed an heretic, I thought this movie was only OK. Just two to three stars out of five in my book. The main character was VERY impressive, however, and I am afraid that it stole the show. The thing is though, the main character in a movie should NOT be the computer-generated special effects. They are supposed to support the story, not BE the story. The other actors in the movie paled in comparison, and came out boring. I think that there was potential, but it just didn't deliver. All that politics stuff was a total drag. A bunch of guys you don't know, and don't like very much, sitting around deciding the fate of the world. Yuck! I hate bureaucracy in real life--why would I want to watch it in action in a galaxy far far away? The chariot race was totally cool, and very well done. There, the special effects were a support and not a distraction. The sword fights were good too. And nicely choreographed! However the real bad guys don't get wnough screen time to get truly hated. All those robot soldiers (the pretend bad guys) in row upon row got way too much time on screen--being broken in bits and shattered by various weaponry. And consequently, Darth Maul's make-up was the only way you got a clue that he was the bad guy (he didn't even do any evil stuff--unless you count that he was always fighting the Jedi guys.) Speaking of the Jedi guys--where was the personality, the joy, the gusto? They just swept in an out of rooms bashing the robots that got in their way. The queen--overpowered by her costumes, poor thing--when did she get time to have all those hairdos done? I saw her in an interview and she said that she was going for control and restraint in her character--well she got THAT right! Where was the spunk, the joy, the gusto? I will obviously go see all of the movies and will enjoy watching the story, but I think that maybe George needs some help in the writing department." --Bec O, Minneapolis.

"I, along with the 5 other people I saw it with, really enjoyed it. I don't see too many movies these days, but I made it a major goal to see this one before our next baby arrives (I'm due June 10). I had read all the reviews ... most of them not so good, but I put them completely aside as I went into the theater. I read [the Shadows] review the day before I saw it and found it to be the review that most closely resembled my feelings for the movie. When I first heard the music, I was instantly brought back to the excitement of 1977 when I saw Star Wars (incidentally, the first PG movie that my parents let me see ... probably because we were on a family vacation). It definitely had the George Lucas flavor all over it. I was thoroughly entertained and found the special effects to be amazing, as usual. It was neat to be introduced to characters that we've seen before (in a different stage of life) and I'm excited to see how the characters will continue to develop in the next episodes. I think some people found it 'boring' because there wasn't jam-packed action/violence for the whole 2 hours and 20 minutes of the movie, like so many other movies are these days. Just had to put in my thumbs up vote since I've heard more bad than good. Now we can have our baby! On a side note, we sold our car a few weeks ago, and the guy who bought it works for Lucasfilm in Marin County. He collects sound effects for movies. I caught his name in the credits." --Kristen C, California.

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