Nice to see Peter Mayhew credited for Chewbacca in the film. But no credit for David Prowse though, as it was apparently Hayden in the Vader suit. James Earl Jones wasn't credited either.
One of the comments about the film that I've heard is disappointment that there are no surprises, which I find a bit ludicrous. What, Anakin becomes Darth Vader? Padme gives birth to twins? Really? It's like the search for Rosebud. The answer is not what Rosebud means but more what you learn on your quest to find that answer.
I'm one of those who liked Episodes 1 and 2. Having seen them again recently, I still like them, though they do have their weak points, as do 4, 5 and 6. Particularly with the love scenes, which are awkward, but then I thought the love scenes between Han and Leia were awkward too. There are not as many of them between Anakin and Padme as in Episode 2, but you need some to establish the relationship they have.
I didn't care that much for the Grevious stuff, especially the light sabre battle with Obi-Wan. I mean, yeah, it was cool, but I thought it was more for show rather than story. We already had Darth Maul with the double-sided lightsabre - we need something more this time. Oh, I know - we'll give him FOUR lightsabres! Well, yeah, but Obi-Wan dispatched with two of them fairly quickly.
In general, I really liked the film, and I was totally invested in it. You're so used to Vader being the bad guy from 4, 5 and 6, though he gets a bit of redemption in 6. But you really see how he goes from being an innocent and sweet boy to the monster of the universe. Whereas 4, 5 and 6 was Luke's development from naive boy to Jedi Knight, 1, 2 and 3 are about Anakin's development from naive boy to one of the most evil creatures in the universe, but in the transition, you totally feel for him.
I found the Jedi massacre segment to be very affecting, and I'll admit that I was close to tears when Anakin was on his rampage, especially with the younglings. I knew where he was going, but I still didn't want him to go there. And then to see the change in Padme's face when she realizes what has happened to Anakin.
I guess with the death of Padme, we can put to rest one of the oft-argued points about Leia's mother. As I recall, one of the novelizations mentions Leia's mother going with her to Alderaan and posing as her nanny. There's also a slight discrepancy since Leia in Episode 6 tells Luke that she barely remembers her mother, only that she was sad. Well, that can't very well have been Padme since she died at birth, so is the sad mother she remembers Bail Organa's wife? And, another oft-argued point - was Owen Lars really Luke's uncle or was he really Ben's brother? Now we know that he really was Luke's uncle, even if by marriage.
And, very cool that they had "Tarkin" on the bridge with Palpatine and Vader at the end. What a great tribute.
