Why Anakin Skywalker is the most interesting character in the entire Star Wars saga.
This article first appeared atDen of Geek UK.
But despite his tragic trajectory, fans have lampooned George Lucas maligned Prequel Trilogy for demystifying Anakin.
Well, for the most part.
You likely know what happens.
And who can blame him?
If any attempt escape, the unit will detonate.
The threat of death hovered constantly over them.
Its little wonder Anakin is despondent, even fatalistic in amongst an otherwise cheery facade.
All the whoas and yippees aside, casting Jake Lloyd was a smart move.
He imbues the character with a nuanced anger and arrogance a sneer behind the smile.
On meeting Qui-Gon and spying his lightsaber, Anakin is convinced he arrived on-world to liberate them.
Indeed, Anakin is arrogantly aware his future lies somewhere beyond the sands.
Therein also lies his anger.
The beauty of the Force in the original trilogy was in its simplicity.
As Obi-Wan so eloquently put it inA New Hope,the Force is what gives a Jedi his power.
Its an energy field created by all living things.
It surrounds us and penetrates us.
It binds the galaxy together.
But Lucas subsequently introduced the idea of microscopic organisms at the root of the force and all living things.
It smacks of writing away the mystery where no explanation was needed.
But it does serve to illustrate the incredible power inside Anakin, whose Midi-chlorian count is off the chart.
Whether he was created through Sith manipulation or from the Force attempting to balance itself is open to speculation.
He strikes a deal with the Toydarian for Anakin to enter the annual Boonta Eve race.
Qui-Gon was unable to free his mother, Shmi.
The Jedi Code forbids familial and romantic attachment as both invite temptation and entice the Dark Side.
The attachments first to his mother and latterly to Padme define and dictate his actions.
The first is C-3PO, the protocol droid he built to help his mother.
The second is Luke, one of two children he later had with Padme.
In true fairy tale form, Anakin fell in love with Padme when they first met.
Even at nine years old he somehow understood the gravitas of his feelings for her.
And its an encounter that costs Qui-Gon his life.
Denying his masters last request, however, was an impossible feat.
Lucas has said that the flaws that Anakin carries are those shared by all classic mythological heroes.
This is the source of his pain, anxiety, and anger.
Ultimately, we know, Anakin fails.
