Qui-Gon seems to be pretty popular, even among people who don't like TPM. I always wondered what they are seeing in him. Maybe it does come from the EU? I don't see it in the movie either.
I think Neeson does a decent job with what he's given, and the character as written isn't actively bad - just a bit dull. Qui-Gon's one of the better Jedi characters in the prequels, come to think of it, but that's not saying much.