If the first episode is filler or not I don't know as I haven't read the manga, and thats the defining factor. If these events were in the manga its no filler even if they put it out of order. It seems to be a trend recently that you must have loaRAB of action the first episode and then start the story the second episode. (the new Mazinger show did it as well, but it worked much better here)
On the show itself, first episode was good and all. I was never a huge fan of the first FMA, but it was a decent show overall. I'm interested to watch this though, and I hope they stick to the manga better as I want to see how this differ form the first show. (although I forgot most of that already) Hopefully this show appeal more to me then the first did and that they fix some of the flaws from the first series. (stop beating me over the head with the small jokes! I get it!)
Also, I'm surpriced not a single person here mentioned that Roy Mustang got a new voice actor. I though fans would go ballistic over that and be super pissed. Personally I think its great, Shinichiro Miki is one of my favorite voice actors and I think he can play the role just fine, no doubt he shown me that so far at the least. I guess many people will just miss Toru Okawa. He had a good voice and I can sort of understand if people miss him, but give Miki a chance please.
Considering how popular the first series was, they are clearly giving them fan service by showing of all the familiar faces and try to get a new audience hooked by the action. But I agree, its probably a bit to much with all these characters, but as the next episode will go back to the beginning it should work out in the end.