Really old story somewhat loosely based on (a sometimes very humorous) old Japanese story about two guys stuck between two warring factions. What set Star Wars apart (I think) was the special effects. A lot of that stuff hadn't been done before, or at least used in that manner. But your right, space opera... Or at least on of the first space westerns to reach such an audience. Flash Gordon comics notwithstanding.
The series evolved, I don't think it was supposed to be taken so seriously. ESB has largely been accepted as the "best" because it took a dark turn. The expanded universe was once considered 'canon' or very near so, is now disregarded, but it had some pretty good (and dark) storylines. At least Grand Admiral Thrawn has appeared in Rebels. That dude is a tactical bad (censored).
At the end of it all, the only one that should know the whole story from end-to-end should be R2D2. TO the best of my knowledge, he's never had his memory wiped.
The series evolved, I don't think it was supposed to be taken so seriously. ESB has largely been accepted as the "best" because it took a dark turn. The expanded universe was once considered 'canon' or very near so, is now disregarded, but it had some pretty good (and dark) storylines. At least Grand Admiral Thrawn has appeared in Rebels. That dude is a tactical bad (censored).
At the end of it all, the only one that should know the whole story from end-to-end should be R2D2. TO the best of my knowledge, he's never had his memory wiped.