The prequel CGI argument is just lame and hangs on the “the prequels were underrated” meme culture of the last decade. Even if there were a lot of real models and sets, the green screening and CG quality were still glaring problems, especially in parts of episodes 1 and 2. Most of the practical effects in the original trilogy still hold up better. No disrespect to the visual effects artists who worked on the CG. And at the very least, they were artists who had to actually do the work and adapt real concept art.
The CGI artists were also subject to horrific crunch conditions for at least AOTC. I guess it was a pioneering movie in other, more depressing ways.