I Rewatched Star Wars: Revenge Of The Sith, And There’s One Thing That Still Makes Me Mad 20 Years Later

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Twenty years ago, in May, “Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith” celebrated its birthday. This film, which I watched twice during my last year in high school, has remained my favorite of the prequels for me over the years, holding a special place in my heart. While it boasts many great moments within the Star Wars universe, there was one aspect that left me frustrated when I was seventeen.

More recently, I revisited the movie for the first time in more than a decade, and even though I enjoyed seeing Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi transition from friends to foes, the aspect that I found unsettling back then persisted as an issue during this viewing.

I Have Myriad Issues With Revenge Of The Sith, But My Main Gripe Is With Anakin Skywalker

In the realm of “Star Wars”, the movie “Revenge of the Sith” offers many delightful aspects. It boasts an awe-inspiring space battle above Coruscant, features some of the finest lightsaber duels, and presents the chilling execution of Order 66, one of the most poignant and nerve-wracking moments in the “Star Wars” chronology. Yet, it has its flaws too, although fewer than those in “Attack of the Clones”, which preceded it by three years, these imperfections manage to tarnish it somewhat.

Although the CGI resembled the poor quality of ’90s Star Wars Full Motion Video games, the scene depicting Padme’s death due to a broken heart (a deleted scene could have enhanced it), along with some questionable dialogue, were all quite disappointing. However, my primary issue lies with Anakin. I hold no ill will towards Hayden Christensen, but his character portrayal throughout the movie is abysmal, grating, and as the kids might say, just plain icky.

I Thought I’d See It Differently On A Rewatch, But That Wasn’t The Case

Before watching Revenge of the Sith again, I had assumed that my feelings towards Anakin would be different this time around. After all, it was quite touching to see Christensen play the character once more in the Obi-Wan Kenobi miniseries a few years back. In fact, I had hoped that the Anakin portrayed in 2005 might improve with age.

It turns out my initial assessment was way off base. All those aspects I disliked about him two decades ago continue to infuriate me, frustrate me, and leave me yearning for George Lucas to have developed his character differently, making him appear more like a true Sith and less like an immature child. I thought he would be in his twenties by the start of the film, not a sulky adolescent who couldn’t join the older group because he was still upset about not being allowed to play with them.

Growing Up Before The Prequels, I Thought Anakin Would Be The Best And Brightest Jedi Before His Fall From Grace

In the time just preceding the release of the Special Edition versions of “A New Hope,” “The Empire Strikes Back,” and “Return of the Jedi,” I developed a deep affection for “Star Wars.” At that point, I became utterly captivated by the franchise. Although the prequels were yet to come, my friends and I would often discuss our excitement about Anakin’s transformation into Darth Vader, and speculate on how fascinating it would be to witness his downfall a few years down the line.

Based on what Obi-Wan mentioned in the initial movie long ago and additional insights from novels set within the Star Wars Legends (formerly known as the expanded universe), Anakin Skywalker appeared to be the most gifted and promising among the Jedi. However, his tragic fall to the dark side was a fascinating tale that captivated many. After all, who wouldn’t find it intriguing to learn about how he transformed into Darth Vader, a cybernetic Sith lord? But considering the twists and turns in his story, one might wonder if things could possibly go awry, right?

But In Revenge Of The Sith, He’s A Moody, Gullible Moron

It’s true that the duel on Mustafar and Anakin slaughtering the younglings at the Jedi Temple are memorable scenes in the Star Wars movies, filled with intense emotion. Yet, it’s important to remember that these events occur after Anakin has fallen to the dark side. Prior to this transformation, he was a character marked by his moodiness, jealousy, and credulity, easily believing everything Palpatine said.

It seemed Anakin was meant to be intelligent, brave, and sensitive to the Force, not a childish man who disregards the advice of his comrades and loved ones while easily succumbing to the tricks of the villain. I understand he’s under immense pressure, and Palpatine is exploiting his vulnerabilities, but his blind acceptance of these manipulations lessens the emotional impact of his transformation into the Sith Lord.

Sure, He’s Great In The Cockpit Or With A Lightsaber, But That’s About It

It’s important to note that Anakin stands alone as an exceptional pilot within the realm of the Star Wars universe. From racing his own podracer, to saving the day in a Naboo starfighter as a child, and performing heroics during the Clone Wars as a young adult, he is undoubtedly a master of the cosmos. Similarly, his prowess with a lightsaber is unparalleled. Whether he was battling Count Dooku on multiple occasions, defeating droids in countless encounters, or engaging Obi-Wan in their fateful duel on Mustafar during the final moments of Revenge of the Sith, he is an unrivaled and formidable adversary.

Despite witnessing many of Anakin’s impressive feats following his fall, the prequels fail to showcase these moments effectively. One of my main issues with these films is that we only hear about his heroics, rather than seeing them unfold. Instead of enjoying scenes where he demonstrates skills beyond piloting and combat, we are left to watch him brood and behave immaturely before transforming into one of the most malevolent characters.

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Regardless of my past reservations about Anakin Skywalker in “Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith”, rewatching it recently was a blast. If you’re interested, I recommend giving it a try, as well as exploring the entire Star Wars universe, including movies and shows, on Disney+.

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2025-07-27 16:10