The answer to the question Are the Prequels that bad? is to list the things what is memorable about them.
- virginal birth of Anakin Skywalker
- the prophecy of the Chosen One
- Midichlorians
- Jar Jar Binks
- Anakin/Padme romance dialogue
- Darth Vaders NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
- rigid blue screen cinematography
- 85% CGI Effects vs 15% Practical Effects (that’s just my guess)
- (feel free to continue the list)
In the end, the things that are memorable about the PT are mostly the dissapointing (=bad?) things.