What FroHam is saying is that Star Wars has more fantasy tropes than sci-fi. Yes, the setting is sci-fi, but when you look at the tropes of the genre, it isn't in line with most sci-fi flicks.
It actually has many of the same tropes of classic science fiction, so what you're saying really isn't true. But, it's really a tomato/tomato thing, fantasy and science fiction are so close to one another in so many ways and overlap often.
To me the distinction is not in the setting, but in the content. True science fiction explores scientific ideas and concepts and technologies within a fictional context. Star Wars may have a little bit of this in the use of holograms and laser swords and space and aliens, but those all have analogues in fantasy. I'll settle for science fiction fantasy, but I was just trying to make clear that Star Wars is much closer to a fantasy film than anything resembling "hard" sci-fi.
2. You ever considered taking another look at Close Encounters? It's not my #2 film of all time for nothing. The plot is very simple, but the arc of the plot is far from simple. It's a complex drama about a man yearning for something more in his life, more even than his beautiful family. His journey to discovering that is fraught with obstacles both external and internal, and along the way he actually hurts his family. Plus, a simple narrative does not have to be a negative. Close Encounters uses the power of visuals, editing, sound and music to create an identifiable reality for its characters and then introduces real awe and wonder within those confines. It's a beautiful film and it's far more complex than mere bright flashing lights and special effects.
For you maybe, but not for me. I don't care for films that are steeped in special effects. I have tried re-watching many times in last 30 years, but every time I do, I feel my intelligence is being insulted. You mention the music, OK I'll bite. If these aliens can traverse through space for light years, don't you think that they would have the ability to monitor our transmissions? Wouldn't they be able to come up with a make shift attempt at one of the more popular spoken languages? No, they use a few musical notes and are so giddy at their success, they decide to have a free form space jam. I was on the floor laughing at that scene.
For a guy who seems to reject b-movies and special effects movies, you sure seem to be picking apart the movie on technicalities. Yeah, the aliens probably could have found a better way to communicate, but Close Encounters is not interested in that sort of thinking. It is a highly spiritual film in nature, and yeah, you could probably say that in The Ten Commandments God could have just come down and pimp-smacked Pharaoh personally and all would have been over, but that would be completely and utterly missing the point. Right, Sam?