The argument could (and should) be made that this is an early example of the process, more an essay in the craft than an example of its peak potential. Jar Jar cost millions of dollars to bring to life too, and while it’s certainly not very good by today’s standards, it paved the way for CGI to advance and reach a point where it’s all but indistinguishable from real life. More practically, just look at how much improved between the CGI recreations in Rogue One and Blade Runner 2049, just a year later.