I actually wanted Avery Brooks to do Vader in Episode III, when Anakin's just turned and his anger is running hot and he doesn't have the calmer demeanor he evinces in Empire and Jedi.
In other news, I've now watched "Spark..." a couple times and have been able to sift what works for me and what doesn't. I really hope they improve the animation -- especially of hair. Those Wookiees were just painful. I can see where the Disney comparisons were coming from, especially with Ezra. His eyes and nose are very Disney. And did they have to call him a street rat, just in case the Aladdin comparisons weren't already going to be flying?
I like Kallus, although I don't like the continuation of people with brutal names as bad guys. Until I started seeing it spelled online (I'd been trying to avoid spoilers), I heard it in my head as spelled "Callas". I love his armor and Roman Legionary-inspired helmet. I'm curious why his uniform isn't the ISB uniform we see only a few years hence in Star Wars.
As with Clone Wars, I wish they'd let the aliens speak their own languages, with subtitles. It won't happen massively often, and I had no problem reading them when I was a kid.
I like the McQuarrie inspirations popping up all over, from the stubby-winged TIEs to the concept IG-88s to the concept Chewie who's one of the central characters.
I don't like how Ezra can do so much without any training or even knowing he has Force ability. Luke was supposed to be one of the more powerful Jedi ever, and growing up on Tatooine he had no indication beyond being a good pilot like his dad. He trained on Dagobah for months before he could Force-jump like Ezra does without even thinking about it.
I don't like the way the Stormtroopers are animated. Something looks too funky about the helmets' faces. I do like how they're characterized, though. And I do wish the "your first Jedi, sir?" guy hadn't gotten killed off.
In general, I'm optimistic. I just really want the animation to improve.
--Jonah