People keep saying that. I don't agree.
Empire was a very good movie, no argument there. But it wasn't fun. Star Wars was good clean fun. And back then, you may remember, that was something very much needed.
I agree. I was quite young when Star Wars came out, 18 years old, and was just starting my second year of active duty in the Air force. My duty was living underground on ICBM launch crew and it was a very high pressure job since it was the height of the Cold War.
Star Wars was great fun and I saw it at least three times because it was such a relief from the pressures of Missile Combat Crew and also I was a science fiction fan at the time.
I think the second and third movies are great but the original was, and still is my favorite.