Logansfury- I liked the effects too, in fact that is what Star Wars has always been about, using the computer to control cameras and create new effects and wow the audience. GL has never claimed that he was a literary giant. I tend to agree with you on your crit about the lack of a credible reason for Annikin to switch so quickly.
That being said, the movie can only be so long. Also, remember that Yoda and Obi-wan are incredibly afraid throughout episodes 5-6 that if Luke even so much as comes near the Emperor, his turn to the Dark side is pretty much a foregone concusion. Remember how Annikin says that he knows he shouldn't kill Dooku, but says that he doesn't know why he feels compelled to do so anyway? Well, he's standing right next to the Emperor at that point. Clearly Lucas's intention is for us to begin to understand that the Emperor's power goes beyond simple persuasion. This is why the final triumph of Vader and Luke over the Emperor carries even more weight. Vader cannot disobey his master, and it is only through the power of Luke's selfless act to die before he would kill his own father that Vader realizes he has to finally sacrifice himself to beat the Emperor and save his son.
I don't know why they didn't use a bacta tank for the surgery tho. I totally agree with you there!
I think too that Lucas will get more money out of this movie if he says its the last one, he's flip flopped so many times I suspect he's only half-hearted about it. Besides, GL has kids, who would be a child of Lucas without eventually inheriting the franchise?
Word is tho, he's moving on to other projects, but doesn't say what they are. Maybe there's something totally new and mindblowing coming?