Just as MagFan did, I think it's worthwhile to remove the pilots from the ambassador's ship at the beginning, and at its destruction. I find that lady to be kinda annoying. I would address any of the ambassador/poilitical business in the crawl to make the movie start a little faster, more intense.

I agree with you Slumberland on all counts, but when you address that the shit's gonna hit the fan, are you going to say it's Force/Sith related, or just describe the current turn of events? I think you should withhold any mention of the Sith, to let the audience figure it out - it will be quite apparent when the movie closes out on Palpatine's face.