I saw it on TV. I think it was the premiere, for whatever that's worth. I recall thinking one thing throughout the entire movie: this isn't Star Wars. Thankfully I didn't know then that TPM would end up being the high point of the trilogy, and that I'd miss Jake Lloyd's nuanced performance (not that it was his fault - I'm truly sorry it ended the way it did for him).
Looking forward to reminiscing about AotC.