sonofjones said:

I honestly don't like the idea of having R2 in the prequels. I do like the idea of having astro droids as sort of standard sidekicks for the heroes throughout all the films, like Obi-wan already having R4 and possibly Anakin having another that isn't R2. However, it makes the galaxy seem too small to have R2 be connected with the heroes of the PT then also just happen to be the one Leia entrusts with the Death Star Plans just by pure luck.

I've always felt this way, too. I just can't decide if it's because there's so much other fan service in the films anyway, or if because the things R2 does are so cheesy ("smiling" at the camera while fixing the Naboo ship, the hokey fry & fly sequence with the super battle droids, etc.). It seemed a little too coincidental that he was the sidekick for both Anakin AND Luke (small galaxy, huh?), but I could probably let that go if the character was treated with a little more respect and less slapstick. Same with 3-PO's "head swap" in AoTC. Ugh.