I've just watched this and think it is a massive improvement. Other people have already given a breakdown of both improvements and flaws, so without wanting to repeat what has already been said these are what I thought were the most memorable parts, both good and bad.
Story changes:
- The idea of how they plan to free Han was much better (Chewie's capture, etc), the only downside was that the footage available had to be trimmed so much to create it and left the Jabba story feeling short, but I'd rather have it short and be left wanting more than long and drawn out like it is in the original.
- Jabba's character can be changed a lot through his script (because it is subtitles) and I was hoping he would seem even more gritty and sinister, but I think this is more of a reflection of what I would have liked than a critisism of your edit.
- Changing the Emperor's location was a good idea but I think it needed to be better established. I think if it had been a first time viewing of the film then it might have been slightly confusing as to which ship he was on (though not necessarily important), but because we are all so used to him being on the death star then it could have done with a slightly longer or clearer establishing shot. Also I think this is the reason everyone (including myself) was expecting the DS to be visible from the windows during all shots, just to reinforce to us that he isnt on the DS any more.
- The way Luke senses his friends are in danger, I think if I hadnt known that was what you were going for then I might have been a little confused by that part and it did sort of make those few minutes feel jumpy. But the idea itself was good, its just a shame there wasnt better material available to improve the way it was executed.
Technical Issues:
- Sound sync issues (most noticable was the Lando line near the Sarlac pit but I think the sounds leading up to that were also a little off, it was just there werent any lines as obvious as that one).
- Moving from one scene to another did sometimes feel fast, especially Yoda's death to Tatooine. As far as the placing of this scene, brilliant, but I'd have liked the transition to have been a little slower, either a slower fade, or perhaps a little pause before the fade. A similar thing happened later but I cannot think which scene it was.
- I wasnt that keen on the duel being continuous, for exactly the reason mentioned by someone else earlier, breaking it up lets us assume there was more to it, otherwise its very short really. Also I ended up liking the version in the extras so that would be my choice but I understand it if it was simply a choice of the music.
Other than this I'd say you did a really good job with what you had to work with and that other than perhaps a little polishing it was brilliant. I think the majority of what you cut was what should have been cut. Well done, your hard work really shows.