Let’s not forget though, the prequel trilogies were—not good. Lucas is at his best when he has collaborators who can help take the half-baked ideas and fully bake them.
They were better than good. I wouldn't call them masterpieces (my biggest critique is that they tried to do too much in II which messed up the pacing of Anakin's arc) but they're great films.
Meesa no take midichlorians, meesa go crazy.
There are us who believe in Darth Jar Jar!
Jar Jar is for kids; if you watch with an eight-year-old and hear her laugh at his antics it makes watching Phantom Menace all the better.
Yes, but while I may prefer "good" when it comes to the multiplex, I much prefer "interesting" when it comes to my art museums and Lucas's prequels and museum are both very interesting.
This is no longer the nerd or even normie consensus (if it ever was)
IMHO, the best one is the one directed by Irvin Kershner: The Empire Strikes Back.
Obligatory link to Red Letter Media’s critique of Phantom Menace