20 years afterStar Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sithdebuted, I remain convinced that this highly controversialStar Warsprequel trilogy decision was a brilliant one.Revenge of the Sithis one of the most pivotal of allStar Warsmovies and TV shows, in large part because this is a major turning point inAnakin Skywalker’sStar Warstimeline. InStar Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones, it was clear Anakin was already on a dark path, butRevenge of the Sithsees him pushed over that edge.
The trickiest aspect of Anakin’s fall was arguably that he had to be shown fully turning to the dark side and committing acts of evil while also eventually being redeemable, givenReturn of the Jedi. This was a difficult line to walk and, despite the manycomplaints about the prequel trilogy, the movies were careful and thoughtful in this regard. In fact, I believethe single most controversial decision made in the prequels was actually the perfect solution to this quandary—and it madeStar Warswork.
The Phantom Menace Was Heavily Criticized For Introducing Anakin As A Little Kid
This Remains One Of The Biggest Complaints About The Prequel Trilogy
Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menaceintroduced Anakin Skywalker not as a troubled teen or even as a young adult already exhibiting signs of becoming Darth Vader but rather as a young, innocent boy. In fact,beyond just being innocent, Anakin was shown to be kind, gentle, and selfless, all while coping with the brutal reality of his life as a slave on Tatooine with his mother. Evidently, this was not what audiences had hoped to see, as this became (and remains) one of the biggest complaints about the prequels.
For some, this grievance simply comes down to wanting to see the same terrifying villain from the originalStar Warstrilogy, perhaps just a bit younger. Others felt that Anakin starting off so young made the movie less geared toward an adult audience (although George Lucas himself has long saidStar Warsis for kids anyway). There are some much more compelling arguments as well.
Among those are the fact that having Anakin be older inThe Phantom Menacewould have made his relationship with Padmé inAttack of the ClonesandRevenge of the Sithless awkward and would have better mirrored Luke Skywalker’s story inA New Hope. These are fair points, but they don’t outweigh the benefits of having Anakin start as a child.By showing Anakin as an innocent child inThe Phantom Menace, the prequels made his fall so much more tragic, believable, and (ultimately) redeemable.
When Did Anakin Skywalker’s Fall To The Dark Side Really Begin?
Anakin Skywalker’s fall to the dark side and transformation into Darth Vader has defined Star Wars for decades—but what really caused his fall?
Seeing Anakin As An Innocent Child Made His Fall So Much More Emotional
Seeing Anakin’s Origins Made All The Difference
For many reasons,seeing Anakin as a child inThe Phantom Menacemade Anakin’s story inAttack of the ClonesandRevenge of the Sithmuch more emotional. For one, Anakin’s separation from his mother was a devastating moment, even if he was excited to become a Jedi. Had Anakin been a teenager, it would have made less sense for him to be so affected by leaving his mother. Because he was just 9 years old, though, Anakin came across as a scared little boy—much more sympathetic.
This also proved that Anakin wasn’t always so egotistical or petulant. He had once been full of hope and love, not unlike Luke. Had Anakin not been shown as a young boy, audiences may have wondered or simply suspected that Anakin had always been the way he was inAttack of the Clones, which would have made him less relatable and sympathetic. This choice also supported George Lucas' message that anyone, even the most innocent, can become evil when subjected to the right circumstances.
This choice also supported George Lucas' message that anyone, even the most innocent, can become evil when subjected to the right circumstances.
Seeing Anakin as a young boy also makes his arc more compelling, because it tells a completely different story than one would expectand sheds a new light on Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader, rather than making him one-dimensional. As this hilarious video, posted bysurface.dwelleron TikTok makes clear, this decision"makes it more dramatic when he turns."
As funny as this video is, it’s entirely right.Seeing Anakin’s childhood and realizing how sweet he once was makes it so much more dramatic—and gutting—to see how he ends up.
Revenge Of The Sith Needed This Origin Story
Anakin Needed To Be Redeemable, Even After Order 66
In addition to making Anakin’s story so much more affecting,Revenge of the Sithneeded this origin so that Anakin’s fall to the dark side would work without damaging the originalStar Warstrilogy. Anakin carried out some truly heinous acts inRevenge of the Sith, especially during Order 66.The scene in which Anakin murders younglings would have been unforgivable had Anakin’s story not begun with this sympathetic arc, as would him choking his pregnant wife.
Revenge of the Sithneeded this origin so that Anakin’s fall to the dark side would work without damaging the originalStar Warstrilogy.
As it was, these events were very difficult to see past, even withReturn of the Jedishowing Anakin turning back to the light in the end. Had the prequels not given Anakin this humanizing backstory, it would have made Anakin’s ultimate redemption so much less believable and, frankly, less accepted. Anakin carrying out these horrible acts remains horrific in spite of this origin, but audiences were at least able to recall that he hadn’t always been like that.
The young boy who asks Anakin what they are going to do during Order 66 inRevenge of the Sithis directly meant to remind audiences of that fact, which is why he looks somewhat similar to Anakin inThe Phantom Menace. Clearly, the prequels had been very intentional in this choice to begin with Anakin as a small boy. Although theStar Warsprequel trilogy continues to receive criticism for this decision,Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sithneeded Anakin to be shown as an innocent child first.
Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith
Cast
Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith details the fall of the Jedi Order and Anakin Skywalker’s transformation under the influence of Darth Sidious. Released in 2005, the film explores Anakin’s internal conflict and the shifting political landscape, leading to the rise of the Galactic Empire.
Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace
Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace is set in a galaxy facing political turmoil, as Jedi Knights Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi seek peace while encountering Anakin Skywalker, a slave with great potential in the Force. Meanwhile, the Sith begin their resurgence, threatening the stability of the Republic.
