It's really interesting to ponder, and find out what was planned or discussed, and what was actually made. But even if it was meant to be something else (or something "greater"), I think it holds up rather well. The Ewoks really aren't all *that* annoying (and they kick some bad guy ass and are more relevant than, say, Jar Jar), and the flick still excites. I did see it in the theater, but I was 5 or 6, and didn't see it a whole lot on video. So watching it now, I don't really have tons of nostalgia for it-- I just think it's a pretty well-done movie for what it was, when it was. There are some great parts, and it was a decent wrap-up to the trilogy. Much of what was done to it for the special edition(s) was pretty shitty, though ("Jedi Rocks"?!?).

Now, if you wanna talk about a big disconnect between what something was meant to be (or could've been), I believe there are these thing called the prequels...