We finally got to see the movie last night. Guru had commented on the making of Vader and I must address this first. I am not sure why it is dead wrong that Vader doesn't say "yes, my master" when he rises unless it was in a book somewhere. I found that when Anakin first tells the Emperor that he will do as he says (in his office), and receives his first order, Anakin's response IS "yes, my master." That, to me, was when the decision was made final - and an appropriate response.

And I liked that Vader's first questions were about Padme. It showed, to me, that he still had some "human" in him, that it was Padme all along who could have saved him - but when he had to succomb to the "knowledge" (while false) that he had killed her, THAT was when the true Vader emerged. He had nothing to live for, and might as well become the pure evil we know and love. It will be interesting to go back to watch Episodes 4-6 now and see Vader in this new light.

I do agree that the dialogue was jarring at some points, but I was willing and able to gloss over that. I myself was disappointed with Padme. From determined butt-kicking queen, to opinionated senator, in this movie she sits around pregnant and worried about Anakin. Boooring! Wish she could've been making some connections of her own with other senators while the Jedi were out messing around.

Episode II doesn't exist in my mind currently. So clearly it can be skipped over... except for Boba Fett. I was amazed at a couple points at the end, how much Anakin looked like Luke. Crazy. And tears at the end, of course, when Aunt Veru and Uncle Owen were standing with baby Luke at the same spot where Episode IV opens, with Luke gazing at the two suns.... yay George Lucas!