You have to have seen the original "back in the day" to appreciate how original and innovative it actually was.
I've always been an eager SF devourer, and, after more than 50 years, still am.
I remember going to see the original Star Wars (I
think that's what's called now "Ep. IV, A new hope") when it came out in '77, with my father, another SF aficionado.
I really had great expectations.
My disappointment was so bitter I've never again touched the saga to this day.
Having watched it after Solaris and 2001, I really cannot see how it can be considered original and innovative.
SFX might have been good, for the time - I did not care, that was never SF, more like a western with spaceships.
I'msad to say that the best thing to happen to Star Wars
since the original 3 episodes was Spaceballs...,
Spaceballs is a masterpiece. We still watch it every now and then, and enjoy it as the first time.
Looking at Lucas's
writing/directing history, I see that I might have a problem with him.
The only thing I like in the list is THX1138 - don't get me started on IJ...