i have now seen Fail Safe and Enemy Mine, I have since then also seen Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind and Impostor. I don't necessarily agree with people who rag on about action SF. And Serenity/Firefly is an excellent example of western SF.
There are all kinds and if it's good, its good and if not, its not.
And what are you on about Star Wars? It soooo had a plot, there's a decaying Evil Empire and the local farm boy discovers he's a destined hero, to save the beautiful princess. We call that Space Opera, see Niven's the Mote in Gods Eye.