Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace

"It is neither captivating nor transporting, for it lacks any emotional pull, as well as the sense of wonder and awe that marks the best works of sci-fi/fantasy."

"Worth the wait, so long as you don't expect a masterpiece. Better than Jedi, but not as good as Empire, Episode I should please both adult fans and pre-teen newcomers."

"It sustains the gee-whiz spirit of the series and offers a swashbuckling extragalactic getaway, creating illusions that are even more plausible than the kitchen-raiding raptors of Jurassic Park."

"Nothing has the right to bore and disappoint us this much."

"There is a sense of discovery in scene after scene of The Phantom Menace."

"Even without the pre-release hoopla, The Phantom Menace would be a considerable letdown!"

"Star Wars: Episode I -- The Phantom Menace seems designed more as a promotion for Lucasfilm's billion-dollar merchandising concerns than a meaningful chapter in the Star Wars canon."

"The most disappointing film of all time it remains, but with the galaxy of hype now far, far away Menace seems much less of a public menace than it did in the summer of 1999."

"An often deliriously exciting adventure, hitting the target audience of 10-year olds and satisfying long-time fans."