This should generate some conversation. I was recently roaming around some archives when I came across an old article from the Sarasota-Herald Tribune circa 1980. In the article they speak with Don Moore, the man that took over the reigns of Flash Gordon from Alex Raymond. The article is mostly about science fiction predicting the technology of tomorrow, but at one point it drifts to Moore's thoughts on Star Wars. It reads as follows:
The science fiction writer said he enjoyed the movie "Star Wars" but didn't like its sequel, "The Empire Strikes Back" as well. "'Empire' has too many gadgets and gimmicks and not enough people in the story," he said.