I watched "Balance of the Force" over the weekend, and would like to give you some feedback, after I've been discussing it with friends and reading up on your stuff.
Before I start, I'd just like to get out that I think you did a fantastic job with your source material, so I'm not going to go over every little thing I liked.
Unfortunately, my main beef with the prequel trilogy can't be fixed with editing techniques. I think that Lucas took a step backwards by adding in the supporting cast from the original trilogy, where they didn't fit. The idea of C-3P0 being made by Anakin, R2-D2 being partnered with Anakin and Obi-Wan, Chewbacca and Yoda being friends, Anakin being friends with Greedo, Boba Fett being the same as stormtroopers, etc.... just didn't sit right we me. It seemed as if the entire universe consisted of 12 people over 60 years...he made too much of an effort to tie up things that were otherwise unrelated. Before it was all over, I expected to see a baby Lando somewhere.
I do think that Lucas did a few nice incorporations, though...especially in Episode III, with the subtle addition (I'm surprised Lucas didn't have him walk in front of camera and wave) of Tarkin, and the cut scene involving Mon Mothma. ...some early Ackbar stuff would've been nice, too
That said, the movies were still enjoyable for me, despite their cheesynees, due to childhood attachment. Your cuts take away the obvious cheese, but some things remain.
Regarding the added scenes from the DVD, I felt that some were apropo to add, others not.
- I feel the scene added in the pod racing segment with the Tuskin Raiders and Jawas works well.
- I think that the scene of the submarine arriving and falling off the cliff adds nothing to the story, hurts the character that you've made for Jar Jar, and ultimately hurts pacing. One of the biggest problem in Episode I is that it takes forever to get through the Pod Race, and the story drags.
- The addition on the scene before the race is good, but Anakin's "wake up acting" and head shake thing are unbearable.
- I think that you could stand to lose the scene where Quai-Gon checks his blood. It adds nothing and again, slows us from getting off Tatooine.
- Watto's new lines are great.
- I also think that some more of Jar Jar's goofiness can be removed from the final battle.
You really have your work cut out for you in Ep III. ...much less cheese to delete, and the pacing works as is, for the most part, but you'll have to change the ending entirely. I'm interested to see what you'll come up with.