Originally posted by: Blackjack

If it was just Star Wars, the deeper, spiritual meaning of the films (Family, redemption, forgiveness, love) would be non-existant and Star Wars would be just another brainless sci-fi shoot em up.

I have to respectfully disagree with you if there was just SW and no sequels. Now I agree that the OT overall does give the films a slightly different meaning after ROTJ, but to call SW a brainless sci-fi shoot em up movie? The movie from start to beginning is about Luke Skywalkers journey who gets sucked into this conflict with the rebels vs the empire.

The overall trilogy after 1983 may have been about family, redemption, etc, but the Original SW was about hope, and about how good truimphs evil, and there are moments in the movie that would still resonate today and the typical brainless summer blockbuster wouldn't hold a candle to it. Moments like Luke looking at the binary sunset, moments like when Luke sees his foster parents bones and realizes where his destiny lies. Other moments like Luke/Leia flying through the chasm in the deathstar, and finally the destruction of the deathstar is one of the most satisfying moments I have ever experienced in the theater. This isn't a knock against the OOT, cause what you said in your post is correct, but don't belittle The Original SW, cause the movie stood on its own as the most popular movie ever in 1977.