> Some of the scenes between Anakin and Padme are just downright painful.

The worse part of that is seeing clips from between takes: they actually have chemistry! They were actually directed to be unrealistic and unbelievable.

> It really made me question whether the OT were as a good as they were because of him or in spite of him.

Harrison Ford is why Han Solo says "I know" in response to Leia's "I love you". Contrasts directly with Anakin/Padme. "in spite of him" is at least a big chunk of it.