Wasting time and money has never been Lucas' style. In fact, although the effects were crucial, providing a majority of the film's evironments and many of its supporting characters, the director had little interest in overtaxing time and resources to achieve effects that were prestine. "I'm a strong proponent, for better or worse, of making a film that works," Lucas said. "I want the audience to be entertained by the film, moved by the film, educated by the film - but I'm not all interested in having it to be technically perfect, because technical perfection has nothing to do with telling a story.
from Mythmaking - Behind The Scenes of Attack Of The Clones
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This is probably THE reason why the changes in the updated editions are done half-assed, why the dvd/br product quality is half-assed as long as GL is in command. it's about telling a story.