Tried it again using Bootcamp instead of Parallels and it runs a lot smoother now! That was definitely my problem. The controls are still tough for me to get a hold of, but I'm not really used to these kinds of games anyway...
Finally got past the first set of lasers! I did use boost, but it didn't seem to go much faster so the timing window still seemed very short. Much more enjoyable this second time around! My only complaints are that the enemy firing sound effect is too loud and the music stopped after I died instead of starting over or continuing.
Really dig the graphics, as previously mentioned, and that Game Over effect was really cool, too.