You're not supposed to be bored during an action film. Not only did I find my mind wandering, but I actually yawned twice. No exaggeration. Let me tell you why.
This film was made for kids no older than, say, thirteen years old. It was corny. It had silly characters. It had Barney lookalikes. Not to mention this annoying, excitable floppy-eared Cocker Spaniel thing in 70's flare pants that had a way too prominent role in this film. I wanted "Jar Jar" to die. [Note (6/12/99) - I wrote that last statement on the movie's 3rd day of release, independent of the current JarJarMustDie bandwagon]
What little plot there was for adults was preachy. Lucas comes off moralizing to us about things like beauracracy in government, symbiosis and the pitfalls of isolationism in foreign policy. George, leave the messages out of the film and stick to the good-guy v. bad-guy stuff.
Liam was perfect in his role as a Master Jedi, but his apprentice, Ewan McGregor playing a young Obi-Wan didn't make me feel for his acting. The little boy who played Anakin Skywalker, Jake Lloyd, did a great job.... much better than that little girl in that STUPID series of Pepsi commercials currently going on.
Oh, and while I'm on the topic of acting and casting, I've got to spend a moment on Samuel L. Jackson. Remember that email going around last year about how Jackson would do as a Jedi ("these not be the motherfucking droids you be lookin' for, man!")? Well, it's come to be true. While he tried his darndest, I was distracted by the mental energy used to try to assimilate Jackson into the calm, peaceful sage he was portraying. I just couldn't make it work. Whoever had this idea must have owed someone a favor.
Anyway, the movie dragged during some parts. It was exciting in others. They could have cut out some scenes (Jar-Jar in the Outland trading post, Jar-Jar trying to eat/steal food, etc.). They could have shortened others (the Pod Race was great cinematography and effects, but just too... damn... long). But the light sabre fight scenes were riveting and exciting -- a lot more Chinese-flick-influenced than the original Star Wars film.
Also unlike the first (and best) Star Wars, there were too many creatures. It's like Lucas had to show off his imagination to see how many species he could work in. It was a good idea for the "bar scene" in New Hope, but here it's taken to an extreme. It was annoying, actually.
The ending was corny, but open-ended. The grand reward of the Radio Shack lightning globe seemed hardly an appropriate gift for saving the world (and if that spoils things for you as a surprise, you really need to get out more).
It's a fair movie. The effects were superb. But if you're looking for a good action film to see this weekend, see The Mummy. Phantom Menace is a 6.