"I recall hating the end of the first movie and have avoided the rest."
But have you watched "Spaceballs", Mel Brooks' spoof of Star Wars? If you like silly things you might enjoy it. It's a tad dated, but in a way that makes it a period piece. Joan Rivers as the lady C3PO is pretty good, Dot Matrix is her name.
My kid loves this movie so I've seen it about 1000 times.
"I'm surrounded by a$$holes!"