TPM is pure Star Wars... it's the only movie that has Qui-Gon in it, you meet Darth Maul (who comes out in it and is mentioned later--he was the apprentice to the Dark Lord of the Sith), you see the start to the political turmoil the Republic will be in (the Trade Federation's blockade of Naboo), later resulting in a galaxy-wide civil war, you meet a young Obi-Wan while he is still Qui-Gon's padawan, you meet Anakin at a young age, as well as seeing Padmé during her tenure as Queen of Naboo. Maybe there are lots of people who don't like it, I don't see why though. It's not my favorite but it's straight up Star Wars and deserves its place as Epidode 1.