"The birth of Vader seemed extremely rushed, and tarnished the lore of how Vader came to be, having been condensed to a 15 second building scene..."

Wow.  I saw the whole movie as being the birth of Vader.  The point was that Vader was not the suit, but a guy who made some lousy, selfish choices.

Overall?  I loved it.  It really, really sucked me in. Finallly a prequesl film that I won't have to defend all summer!

I hava a crummy story about the Traget Clone...I went to Target on Saturday night around 9:00 to get some formula for the baby.  Naturally, I look to see if there are any new figures, or even the exclusive.  Jackpot!  I find #37-44 inclusing the SA Clone. I saw no exclusives.  Anyway, after  getting the baby's stuff, I head to checkout.  I would never consider shopping on a Saturday night a family event, but I guess many do.  The place was mobbed.  Each register was abut 10 carts deep.

After 15 minutes in line, I buy all of my stuff and head out.  On my way to the doors I spot carts full of returns, and a Target Clone sitting on top.  I look at the lines again.  They're just too long to wait in again.  I stand there for a moment and try to figure out what to do.  Honestly, I considered trying to walk out with it.  But I chucked it back on the returns and went home.

So, maybe I'll never have one, but I have my dignity!!

"I like that Lucas ran with an EU design on these that was established, rather than establishing his own idea on them."

These guys were from the EU?  The only image that I had seen of them prior to the film were from comics that had been drawn after the movie was shot in 2003.

Would love to know more.

Anyway, these figures look neat, but the big goofy un-holdable gun just about blows it for me.  Who knows, maybe I'll give him Tion Meddons rifle.

I'm sure hasbro is jumping up and down with happiness that there will be 2 Star Wars TV shows soon.  Television shows move a lot more toys than movies do.  TV creates a permanent visibility for the license, as opposed to 4-5 months every 3 years.

Sure, there will be lots of fgures from the TV shows, but the shows will also keep the films alive.

The more I think about it, the more the "slim to none" comment angers me.  Obi-Wan delivering Luke will become an iconic inage within the series, and ties the two trilogies together.  If Hasbro doesn't make the babies in some form, I will be really put off.

No, they're not just VOTC clamshells.  That have an arc acros the top.  The VOTC were straight across.  These look nice, but I open everything.  Funny to se Hasbro admitting many people don't "play" with SW toys.

During Midnight Madness, I was chatting with a TRU manager, and I asked he if she thought customers who cleaned up a toy aisle were nuts.  She said "No.  In fact, I usually ask them what they are looking for, and if I have it in back, I'll get it!"