Star Wars: Episode I -- The Phantom Menace

Don't believe the hype. But don't believe the backlash, either.

In other words, just judge the enjoyable new "Star Wars" prequel, "The Phantom Menace," on its own merits and leave all your preconceptions at the door. Otherwise, you could leave the theater a little disappointed — though not nearly to the extent that you may have feared.

Sure, the movie has its share of problems. For one thing, it could have used a lot less talking and a whole lot more rocking — if you know what I mean.

Also, it's true that the performances by the computer-generated characters are livelier than those by the "live" actors, there are a few slow spots that will test the patience of younger audience members and there are some inadvertantly racist moments (accents and stereotypes used for certain aliens).

That said, however, the movie is still a step up from the last of the second "Star Wars" trilogy, 1983's good-but-not-great epic, "Return of the Jedi." At times this science-fiction adventure is thrilling, and it is also touching and even has its share of silly moments.

In other words, it's a "Star Wars" movie.

Actually, if you're not enthralled by the film, you're probably either hard of heart or much too fussy to be watching such populist film fare.

Let's face it — even "Citizen Kane" couldn't stand the withering critical scrutiny that this movie has been receiving so far.

But the mistake most critics are making is that they're judging it on unfair criteria — namely, they're putting it up against the other, admittedly better films in the "Star Wars" series. The yardstick here should actually be other recent films, such as "The Mummy." And in that context, "The Phantom Menace" passes with flying colors.

Also, considering the fact that this one is designed to set up two more prequels, the majority of its storytelling faults can be forgiven.

Just as the first installment of the second trilogy ("Star Wars," a k a, "A New Hope") began with an intergalactic conflict, so does "The

Phantom Menace" — specifically, a commercial disagreement between the Trade Federation and the rulers of Naboo, a peaceful planet.

Two Jedi knights, Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson) and his apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor), are dispatched by the galactic government to settle the dispute. But they quickly learn that the Federation is planning to invade Naboo to force Queen Amidala (Natalie Portman) to sign an unfair trade "treaty."