2) I’m not a big fan of sequels\serials. I’ve not really ever seen any that I think improve on (or even match) the magic of the original. I see the story as an adventure and I don’t want to know what happened before or after. That’s what imagination is for. I don’t need all the blanks filled in. Those blanks are what make up the emotion – the feelings – the mystery - the adventure.
Exception – I’m a huge James Bond nerd. I think that particular franchise can’t be touched in terms of longevity\staying true to the vision\acting\stories\etc. There are a few clunkers, but none are unwatchable or put the fans at odds with each other the way Star Wars has.
3) Nothing moved me or transported me the way Star Wars did. I was in another world, millions of miles from home every time I sat in the theater for it. A true outer space adventure. It was a wonderful time to be 15.