I honestly don’t see the point of all the criticism of CGI in the Prequels. Sure, a lot of it hasn’t aged well, but how else were they supposed to tell the story? Practical effects can only do so much, you know.
I think it comes from the generation, like me, who grew up with the OT being our obsession and fandom with SW. You could always say they were using “outdated” effects in the mid-late 90s…but none of it was just cringe. The “limitations” of the time turned into being the most charming thing about how things were pulled off. We all know the story of George rushing his production crew threw more and more cgi additions with little timing and stretched budget…because he had no limit.
So yeah, Jar Jar stepping in poop and being subjected to animal farts was embarrassing and when the digital effect looks wonky…you’re going to get criticism. And there’s nothing from ROTJ that excuses the PT for having goofy/half done cgi in a movie that’s already got problems with dialogue, romance or overall normal storytelling with characters and motivation. 🤷♂️
Call me old, but I was 18 when TPM came out and was pretty much the biggest SW obsessed nerd lover in Memphis, TN. You couldn’t imagine my hype,devotion and relief to be alive to see that movie. Then we watched it…😳😳. Nah’meen??