Actually, I think Hayden Christensen is quite a good Anakin... Apart from his length, he has a sinister way of looking, is really a grown up but still young at heart wannabe Jedi. And his fighting choreography is quite cool I agree with Evaders on the way the status of the galaxy evolves... I tried to explain many friends that in Episode 1, the first combat-events since the start of the Republic (forget about the Krath and Sith wars, etc etc ). The Republic is, at first sight, as mighty as ever. In this movie, it appears that the Republic 'isn't anymore what it once was'. In movie 2, there are more flaws in the Republics government. And, in Movie 3.... I am excited about what we get to see!