There’s understanding Darth Vader and then there UNDERSTANDING Darth Vader as an adult
Cause of May the fourth, I’ve decided to just make this month Star Wars day. I watched the prequels, finished Maul Shadow Lord twice, picked the final season of rebels back up (halfway through it rn) but I cannot stop thinking about Anakin and Darth Vader. As an adult (and when I spark up), I’ve realized things in the prequels I didn’t know were actually there or gained more appreciation for what was. Never hated these films. Watched them all in theaters as they released. Over the years, I did accept some flaws in them but now I’m seeing some of them aren’t even really there. An example is the acting style. Like some scenes may feel very w/e depending on what being said, but overall it just feels like theater/operatic type of acting. Never had a problem with the acting overall tho tbh. It always felt pretty obvious that many characters speak the way they do because of this OR because so many of the main characters are SUPPOSED to be ZEN. Never have I had an issue with “I don’t like Sand” or “I’m overwhelmed, sir”. None of it. Lines like these are self explanatory especially the sand one.
However, there’s a level of depth and subtext of the character arcs/development/characterization to everyone particular to Anakin too of course that is so vast.. it blows me away. Like… I already knew Darth Vader was film’s greatest villain and possibly character (ironically, this is the case BECAUSE of the prequels yet nobody wanted to acknowledge that. He did not have this depth in the OT), but man was GL on fire with this guy. Bringing it back to not liking sand or being creepy/weird with romance… how did people expect this mf to behave or even feel? He was an ex slave (something that comes with a myriad of emotional and mental issues) who had to leave his mom & was never given the proper time to process those emotions or even allowed to be “normal” before being part of the Jedi order. I won’t call being part of the Jedi as a form of slavery but it was a form of emotional bondage especially because of where the Jedi were at the time. Something that I’m sure could be deduced from a certain POV depending on what day you caught Anakin in his later years lol Though they weren’t clear cut no flaws good guys, they still were good guys with vast knowledge and wisdom.. there were just caveats to it which shows in how they handled Anakin. Looking at Padme in a creepy way (which she spells out makes her uncomfortable) makes sense! He doesn’t know any better!
I could be here all day regarding the amount of shit he was carrying, thinking about, and being tortured by when RotS is happening (I’ve already thought about it at great length), but I’ll just say that you didn’t need The Clone Wars to understand. Nothing against the show; it’s fantastic and mind blowing. This also makes me see why I have always been so drawn this movie over any of the other ones. Also, it helps that it’s incredibly entertaining. These prequels are so epic in scope and so cool. Genuinely one of the coolest things ever. They’re also visually quite beautiful and have the best combat scenes. OT had good fights, but Obi Wan’s unecessary twirl in 4 is sillier than anything in the prequel battles. I don’t even understand yoda jumping around in combat as a criticism; it’s mind numbingly fucking stupid. QGJ & Obi Wan vs Darth Maul is easily the best fight in the franchise aside from Anakin vs Obi Wan. Anyway, hope you guys are
having a great day from one Star Wars admirer to many. May The Force Be With You.