I liked one scene towards the end of The Phantom Menace where the door opens to reveal Darth Maul standing there and the music starts up. The two jedi look at him and there's a real sense that something awesome is about to unfold. It really built up the tension.
Unfortunately something awesome doesn't unfold. What we actually get is a fast-paced and well choreographed fight scene which is inter-cut with three other dull or silly storylines.
I didn't care for the rest of the prequel trilogy.