What's a helmut? Sort of like a diabolical dog from the underworld?
Oops on that spelling error!
As for the AT-AT and speeders flying at them from the front, I thought of that as well, but assumed they were trying to slow them down to have more time to evacuate. (I know, pretty lame)
I also assumed Leia was tortured the same as Han, or that just Han was tortured for shooting at Vader. Chewie because, he is a wookie?
Maybe they have to deactivate the shield because it is really big and they are landing so close to it?