The CGI is generally bad but it was cutting edge at the time (however, consider how good Jurassic Park looked six years prior -- the right mix of digital and practical effects). And while they certainly built a ton of practical sets, I'm willing to bet nearly 100% of them had sizable blue or green screen areas incorporated into them. And don't get me started on Lucas cutting and pasting different takes into one shot -- I remember watching one of the documentaries where George didn't like how Captain Panaka was framed in the cockpit in one shot so they lifted it from another take and literally pasted it in. The difference is subtle but I think it contributes to the overall disconnectedness of the performances.

What really hurts it (leaving aside the reprehensible dialogue and acting) is that the framing of shots just seems amateurish. Compare the composition with the other end of the spectrum in Rian Johnson's Last Jedi (regardless of where you come down on rating the plot decisions, the quality of filmmaking is outstanding).

Lucas main problem is the constant static inert camera. It rarely if ever moves to follow except maybe ships in shot in space whooshing by. No movement ever when dealing with the characters

Whereas rians is probably the best directed of them all. Visually beautiful as well as all the compositions being stunning

Edwards was the best director of any of the new SW movies

I really wish we could have seen his movie. Parts of R1 are just gorgeous and thrilling. I would 100% agree with you if Tony Gilroy hadn't been brought in to clean things up.

Maybe. perhaps GIlroy's contributions also made it the amazing film it was. Who knows without seeing Edwards full cut.

Scarif is the best thing in star wars. So beautiful.

Gonna have to disagree with you hard on this one. Thanks to how much l loved TROS, I went back and watched TFA and the first half hour of TLJ last night. I was immediately struck by how bland, flat, and ugly TLJ looked, even in comparison to TFA. Johnson should not be directing big-budget spectacle movies.

You can tell that most of the cinematography was Edwards, though. I've seen a lot of his movies, enough to tell that was his hand in most of that. Just beautiful.

Wow - I could not disagree more with you.

Flat as fuck. Looks like Endgame or some shit.

LV's barometer for this stuff is notoriously wonky

Welcome back LV!

I mean it’s literally the thing I love most about movies but sure whatever

"it" = ?

Visual beauty

And?!?

I always thought The Phantom Menace was beautiful. Very creative with world building, designs, aliens.

AND YOURE WONKY!!!!!!!