Now, how many regular fans know the age of the characters or the time period between films? It's never really stated. It is logical to try and make Yoda younger during a different time period, whether it's ten years or thirty years. The idea is in the right place.
Either way, I just don't see how you can have a story about the fall of the Jedi Order and the Republic and not have Yoda do some action....
And Mike O, yes, ILM has. Between the two trilogies, there's just spectacular work across the board. But, if I had to choose, I'm choosing ILM over Weta. There are some shots in the Rings Trilogy that are just unforgiveable. It's the same with Kong. There's less of that in the Prequels or any other film ILM works on. Just look at Pearl Harbor, Minority Report, War of the Worlds.