I don't recall much from back then. But I can tell you the new trilogy is different because I was a child when the OT came out. I was an adult with the PT came out. Because of the age difference, I think we as viewers see the movies in a different perspective, which in turn skews our viewpoint.
To me, the OT and the PT are terrible movies compared to some I've seen. The acting isn't all that great in either series and the hokey effects are cheesey in both as well. The dialogue is terrible, but one thing just works and that is the reality of the fantasy. They may not be the best crafted films, but they are my favorites. Both trilogies to me are enjoyable. They're just different. I've stopped ranking the movies. I just watch whichever movie strikes my fancy at the time I reach for a DVD.