The first time I watched the movie I was literally making mental notes of scenes that could be cut, bad edits, etc. I think this film is _awful_ in regard to it's editing/pacing - I'm really looking forward to Mag's edit as it should be vastly superior to GL's rushed attempt.
My biggest gripes were GL's insistence on including scenes that have no actual need to be there: and in fact often take away from the OT:
- combing sequence; the acting is so bad here, and there's nothing established that justifies it's inclusion.
- the naming of the kids; serves no purpose other than to show more of Padme's bad makeup and worse acting - and it ruins the whole Leia/Luke unveil later.
- the rest of the birth scene; the acting/droids are so bad, and Obi being there makes his OT character seem even more deceptive.
- most of the scenes on Kashyyk[sic]; again, they form no purpose other than GL wanting Chewie in the story, and him wanting to finally put the planet in. If it had been in more of the story; Endor sort of time, then I'd be happy with it, but as it is it just confuses the story. It would work much better if you got a glimpse of it during the Council holo, and the order 66 scene. There's no need to justify Yoda being there anymore than you justify other Jedi on field duty. And what were they thinking having Yoda jump on Chewie's back!
- Vader; everything post-lava is totally pointless - and I totally agree with Mag's decision to cut it. The OT works so much better you not initially _knowing_ Vader is Anakin. It seems that GL has scripted this movie with Ep3 coming _after_ watching 4-6 - when you put the 6 movies together, all of the big turning points in the OT are no longer a suprise.
I was planning on doing my own edit of this (was searching for the leaked cutting room version) before I found out Mag was already well underway - good job! If you need any assistance in putting this all together I'd be more than happy to offer my time!