Undoubtably one of the most complex characters in cinema, Anakin Skywalker's story is one of the most fascinating in the saga. For a long time, he was known mainly as one of cinema's most memorable villains, but then the prequels came along and showed the world what this villain was like when he was a hero, giving him a further level of depth. No longer a mere "bad guy who used to be good," he now became a character with real issues.
Anakin was born a slave on Tatooine. His mother, Shmi Skywalker, was a virgin. Anakin's fatherless birth can be endlessly interpreted by the audience as to what it means. Is Darth Vader a (twisted) Christ figure? Was he concieved by the light side of the Force...or the dark side? Was he truly the Chosen One, or was he a product of Palpatine's dark intentions?
Seeing Anakin as a little boy makes it hard to believe that he is capable of becoming something so evil. Many Star Wars fans have been outrageously angry at Lucas portraying Darth Vader as an innocent child, but I suspect that is mainly because it makes them uncomfortable. It shows blatent honesty on how everyone starts out. Even the most wicked people ever alive began as children. Evil isn't born - it's created.
In Attack of the Clones, Anakin has grown into a free-spirited teenager, but he also develops sadness and uncertainty. He develops a need for Padme - not just a love, but a need. He finds that he is too in touch with his human emotions to follow the Jedi Order's rules against them.
Anakin also suffers a great loss that will change his life forever. The death of a parent is never easy, but for Anakin, it is a devastation. Having left his mother at such a young age, hoping for ten years to be reunited with her, one of the things that has kept his life going suddenly vanishes. It furthur stimulates the thing that hinders Anakin's world: the fear of loss.
In Revenge of the Sith, he goes on his most difficult journey, which ends in a failure. What ultimately corrupts Anakin to become Darth Vader isn't greed or lust for power, but love. Love. The thing that blesses most lives is what destroyed Anakin's, which opens up as many questions as it does answers. Was Padme "destined" to die in childbirth, or was it Anakin's choice that killed her? Was Anakin wrong to succumb to his feelings and marry Padme? Should Luke and Leia have never been born? Would Palpatine have found another minion if Anakin hadn't turned and still taken over the galaxy? Anakin and Padme's forbidden marriage led to much destruction, but by producing Luke and Leia, it also ultimately saved the galaxy.
Of course, Darth Vader in the original trilogy leaves a mark in your brain that's hard to get out, with or without the prequels. That harsh breathing, that deep, sinister voice, that metal suit. He both frightens and intruiges. Although he appears to be a shallow villain at the beginning, the details about him are gradually revealed, letting us know that this is not an everyday bad guy. There is indeed someone behind that mask. As a newer fan, I can only imagine what a great shock it must have been to see Vader announce Luke's parentage. It has to be one of the biggest surprises in cinema history, and yet everything leads up to it.
The ultimate moment of both joy and heartbreak occurs in the last moments of his life. After years of imprisonment, he does what is considered impossible, he turns away from the dark side, killing the Emperor and saving his son. The moment when his mask is removed and his deformed face is revealed stimulates true compassion, not mere pity. Redemption is always possible, even when one has a few seconds to live, as Anakin so beautifully shows. It is when he is dying that he can finally live again.
TOP TEN ANAKIN QUOTES
In The Phantom Menace
10. "Are you an angel?"
9. "What about Mom?"
8. "Kitster's right, I will this time."
7. "Don't count on it, slime ball."
6. "I actually saved the pod...mostly."
5. "I hope so...yes....I guess..."
4."I'd hate to see you diced before we race again."
3. "Qui-Gon told me to stay in this cockpit, so that's what I'm gonna do."
2. "Yeah, it would be a pity if you had to pay for me."
1. "I'm a person, and my name is Anakin."
In Attack of the Clones
10. "Then you do feel something!"
9. "You fell into that nightmare, Master, and I rescued you."
8. "Stay with me, Mom."
7. "I'm a Jedi. I KNOW I'm better than this."
6. "I'd much rather dream about Padme."
5. "Oh, well you know, I couldn't find a speeder I really liked."
4. "I transmitted your message, just as you had ordered. Then we decided to come and rescue you."
3. "I thought I already did."
2. "I am a slow learner."
1. "I wasn't strong enough to save you, Mom, but I promise you, I will not fail again."
In Revenge of the Sith
10. "His fate will be the same as ours."
9. "Hey, no loose wire jokes."
8. "No, I promise you."
7. "We're not gonna worry about it. This is a happy moment. The happiest moment of my life."
6. "I hate you!!!"
5. "Something's happening. I'm not the Jedi I should be. I want more. And I know I shouldn't."
4. "You owe me for saving your skin for the tenth time."
3. "What have I done???"
2. "This is where the fun begins."
1. "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!"
In A New Hope
10. "Don't underestimate the Force."
9. "You are part of the Rebel Alliance and a traitor! Take her away!"
8. "I told you she would never consciously betray the Rebellion."
7. "The Force is strong with this one."
6. "Don't be too proud of this technological terror you've constructed. The ability to destroy a planet is insignificant next to the power of the Force."
5. "This will be a day long-remembered. It has seen the end of Kenobi and it will soon see the end of the Rebellion."
4. "And now, Your Highness, we will discuss the location of your rebel base."
3. "If this is a counseler ship, where is the ambassador?"
2. "I find your lack of faith disturbing."
1. "The circle is now complete. When I left you, I was but the learner, now I am the master."
In The Empire Strikes Back
10. "You have failed me for the last time, Admiral."
9. "Perhaps you feel that you are being treated unfairly?"
8. "All too easy."
7. "We would be most grateful if you joined us."
6. "Luke, it is your destiny."
5. "He is as clumsy as he is stupid."
4. "The Force is strong with you, young Skywalker, but you are not a Jedi yet."
3. "Apology accepted, Captain Needa."
2. "I do no want the Emperor's prize damaged. We will test it - on Captain Solo."
1. "No, I am your father!"
In Return of the Jedi
10. "It is too late for me."
9. "Now, go, my son. Leave me."
8. "He will come to me?"
7. "That name no longer has any meaning for me."
6. "Nothing can stop that now. Just for once, let me look on you with my own eyes."
5. "Then perhaps you can tell him that when he arrives."
4. "Sister? So, you have a twin sister? Your feelings have now betrayed her too. Obi-Wan was wise to hide her from me. If you will not turn to the dark side, then perhaps she will."
3. "You don't know the power of the dark side."
2. "The Emperor is not as forgiving as I am."
1. "You already have, Luke. You were right....you were right about me. Tell your sister....you were right...."
TOP TEN REASONS TO LOVE ANAKIN SKYWALKER
10. Mechanical breathing. Need I say more?
9. He's not a stereotypical bad-to-the-bone-always-been-evil villain.
8. He can convey emotion through a mask.
7. James Earl Jones's voice, nuff said.
6. He's the only human who can podrace - at age nine!
5. He's an adventurous and reckless pilot - not unlike a certain other awesome SW character. ;)
4. He's a master with lightsabers.
3. He's stronger in the Force than even Yoda.
2. He's both an awesome hero and an awesome villain.
1. He is the one who ends up saving the galaxy.
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