> Sixteen years later, and by the time of The Phantom Menace computers had long become mainstream. The film introduced us to a Star Wars universe almost completely realised using CGI
It looks that way, doesn't it? However, there were a lot of physical effects in Phantom Menace, including huge miniature (yeah, I know) sets. The waterfalls on one planet were actually falling salt.
http://makezine.com/2015/10/07/the-surprising-practical-effects-of-the-star-wars-prequels/
Biting the hand that feeds IT
