Even as a child when I first saw Phantom Menace, I thought it was off. Maybe I would have rated the film lower if it weren't for the fun pod racing segment and the fight with Darth Maul. I think the Star War prequel trilogy excel more on the editing and choreography of action scenes than actual story telling and drama.

Granted, I was like 4 when it came out so it still holds some fondness in my view. Qui-Gon was like the father figure I always needed but never had, and Jar Jar laid the foundation for my sense of humor. Maybe that's why no one thinks I'm funny...

And the originals weren't kids movies?

I guess the massive amount of Star Wars toys I had as a child somehow led me to believe otherwise.

Original trilogy are also kids movies, fight me.

But imo at its core it still has a good idea, unlike the sequels, which really are just style over substance. Which is why i can forgive the prequels quite a bit more, especially considering Geroge Lucas did try to get other directors onboard to make them.