When asked to review this film, I was a bit hesitant at being too biased. I have been a fan of the Star Wars films since I was five years old, and eagerly awaited this newest installment much more than getting my driver's license or turning 21. To me, the release of The Phantom Menace was much more than a new summer blockbuster. It was an event, the Woodstock for those of my generation. And so it was that I camped out in line for five days, along with 10 other die-hards, waiting to see the long-awaited Episode One.

The question "Was it worth it?" has become as tedious and irksome as "What's for dinner?" Knowing that I am a die-hard fan for anything Star Wars related, what do people expect me to say? Sure, there are fans out there, who claim to be die-hards, who have said they were disappointed in the film, but I wonder if they have asked themselves why they feel this way? When they comment that the magic just wasn't there that had been there for the first films, did they remind themselves that when they viewed the Classic Trilogy for the first time, many of them had been, like myself, only children? George Lucas has never hid from us the fact that these films are aimed toward children and I know that when I first saw them at the ages of 5, 8 and 11, I was singularly enthralled. My life had been changed. For me, the Star Wars universe existed somewhere out there, no matter how many 'adults' told me it was make believe. When I went into the theatre to see The Phantom Menace I did not go in seeking a heavy drama or deeply philosophical film that would answer all the questions of the universe for me. I went in hoping to be a child again. I wanted to pretend that after the film was over, I could run outside and act it out with my friends, having lightsaber duels with tree branches, riding bikes like they were speeders and generally making a complete fool of myself without ever knowing it. I wanted to feel the wonder as a child would, anticipating nothing, only experiencing, and I did exactly that.

To begin with, some critics have claimed that the beginning of the film is difficult to follow, and that plot that is convoluted and confusing. But I ask these people--why would Lucas ever write a plot line for children that they would never understand? Perhaps 'adults' were looking too deeply for something that was not there. The movie opens with a trade dispute and subsequent blockade of the planet Naboo. Two Jedi, the venerable Qui-Gon Jinn, played simply as well as beautifully by Liam Neeson, and a young Obi-Wan Kenobi, played convincingly right down to matching inflections of Alec Guiness, by Ewan McGregor, are sent in to negotiate the dispute. The negotiations are foiled though, by a dark-hooded -- yet somewhat familiar to the audience -- interloper, and the Jedi barely escape with their lives to the planet below. Once there, they know they must contact Queen Amidala, the ruler of the Naboo, and let her know of the coming invasion. Along the way they encounter a none-too-smart but comical Gungan by the name of Jar Jar Binks. (The character of Jar Jar has suffered quite a bit of slings and arrows from both fans and opponents of the film alike and because of this I feel I must speak in his defense. The movie was created for children, people, and I have yet to be in an audience where both children and 'adults' alike did not laugh uproariously at his antics). The film soon takes us to the all-too-familiar planet of Tatooine, where we meet Anakin Skywalker, a young boy who, along with his mother, is a slave. Qui-Gon immediately senses that there is something special about this boy and decides to take him under his wing toward becoming a Jedi. From there, young Anakin joins the Jedi and the Queen on their mission to free Naboo from the tyranny that has befallen them.

Is this film much different from the original Star Wars that opened our eyes to a world of wonder over 20 years ago? No. In that film we see a farmer, a pirate and an old wizard join together to free a Princess from the evil Lord who holds her prisoner. They are followed back to their fortress that is attacked by the evil Lord and they succeed in defeating him. In The Phantom Menace we see two knights joining together with a Queen to save her world from tyranny under an evil sorcerer. They collect a jester, free a slave who joins them on their quest in the form of an apprentice, and fight against their oppressors. The special effects in this one are like eye-candy, feasting the senses with visions and scenes we never thought possible.

Is the acting below par and the character development lacking? Liam Neeson plays the understated, quiet Jedi Master with solemn perfection. Ewan McGregor is a joy to watch. Not only can one hear the old and wiser Ben Kenobi from A New Hope, but the glimpses into his reckless, stubborn personality that we hear him mention to Yoda in The Empire Strikes Back are both amusing and enlightening. Natalie Portman is wonderful as both Queen and Handmaiden, switching from role of stately ruler to curious servant with ease. Jake Lloyd is adorable. Not once did I glimpse a child actor trying his hardest to portray a youthful Darth Vader. Instead, I only saw a little boy, exuberant in his excitement at living out a life-long dream, afraid to leave his mother, but in his attempt to be a grown-up stubbornly refusing to admit it.

To deny yourself from seeing this film is like denying yourself air to breathe. It just has to be seen, just once, to get the true feeling of what really good story-telling is all about. No matter what critics may say, the Star Wars universe has become a very real and important part of many people's lives. Simply because The Phantom Menace does not live up to expectations of how some people would have told the story of Darth Vader's rise is not the reason to deny yourself over two hours of breathtaking entertainment. After all, Star Wars is, and always was, the vision of George Lucas and the children he creates it for.

DROOL FACTOR: Compared to the eye-candy cast of males (i.e. Ewan McGregor, Liam Neeson, Ray Parks, Samuel Jackson) in this flick, any other line up is just a sinking ship...if you know what I mean...

GROSS-OUT FACTOR: N/A. Unless you count the spray of blood that flies out from...wait, that's a spoiler. Nevermind.

STRONG CHICK FACTOR: Well, if you're a chick and you're into seeing strong female roles models kick some serious booty and gorgeous guys strut their Jedi-stuff, then this flick is for you. If not, then you can go watch boats sink or something.