I think they were a missed opportunity. Its so strange Lucas earlier outline was so good, yes it was very vague but it didn’t mess with OT continuity. Its like he overthought it when he finally started writing Phantom Menace. Added a bunch of not necessary exposition and new characters. The Original trilogy was simple and self contained. Its like he wanted to up his game for the prequel and fell flat on his face. The worldbuilding might be decent but the prequel lore is suspect. Others might disagree, that is fine.

People keep saying the lore is good and deep and well thought out and poorly executed.

What i understood Anakin was the chosen one, there was a bunch of other stuff about the Dark Side clouding the Jedi’s vision. I just don’t see good writing, likable characters. Believable relationships. I wish they were equal to the OT and connected with them, they don’t. Everybody complains about Disney Star Wars, the prequel is where Star Wars died. As a Saga of Cinema. Obviously the animated side, the comics and novels and games were good enough to keep the embers burning.

To me the fatal flaw of the entire prequel trilogy is how Anakin was written, his entire arc. Everyone singles out PM but i think its fine even if it should have started with a teenage Anakin or maybe even in his 20s. AOTC is only somewhat salvageable, ROTS is where it all goes off the rails. Anakin’s sudden turn makes no sense.