Thats really not a bad idea at all Bingo.

I would keep the scene in there but take out all the stupid thankings, somehow give the queen a more sarcastic blank stare at r2. Ya know, after this scene was pointed out in the review, it just seems so stupid now.

You could even show the parts of the scene in a different order, have R2 introduced, the queen nods here head, then on to something else.

Vaderios, those before and afters are stunning. OT-izing the film will right off the bat, make the movie seem more serious.