I think my expectations were way too high. I saw it last nite, and while yes, it was kickass, it didn't leave me with the same fulfilled feeling I thought it would have. My friend, who I went with, is a much more casual Star Wars fan, and he thought it was perfect. I don't know. I think that they underused the Darth Vader character in the suit...he was in a total of two scenes, and we heard James Earl Jones read 3 lines. I was disappointed by that...I mean, there is about 20-25 years between Episodes III and Episode IV (if you figure since in Epi III Luke/Leia are born and in Epi IV they are in their early 20's) they could've shown more of black-suit Vader.

The writing could also have been better in some spots, imho. I was tempted to shout "Jerry! Jerry!" when Padme told Anakin, rather predictibly and melodramatically that she was pregnant. I think they should've picked up the story at a point where he already knew, and it would be brought about where he would mention it (i.e. "Besides, I have to return from Mustafa to check on my love and my baby" or something like that, with her obviously pregnant). And BTW, did anyone think Padme's little brown suit thing when she confronts Darth Vader was rather skimpy for a chick who was 9 months pregnant? Boy, only she could pull it off.

Other than that, it was very good. I enjoyed it, and the actual emotional tanglings behind why Anakin becomes Vader was quite good. I think Ian McDermid was quite good, but they put too much makeup and whatnot on - he looks too intense and disformed from the emperor of Epi's V and VI. It was interesting to learn why he becomes disfigured though.

I know many compare this ending to that of Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back, because it doesn't have a "happy" ending and whatnot. But I just left the movie kinda thinking that this was it? I guess my expectations were impossibly high to fulfill, but oh well. Perhaps when it comes out on DVD later this year I will able to properly judge it again.

BTW, did anyone see Lucas' cameo? I completely missed it, and some said it was pretty obvious.