I know I said I was going to stay away from reviews, but someone on the Hayden group linked to Harry Knowles's take on ROTS with an enthusiastic endorsement. The review itself gives little away, but just in case I won't link to it for now. I haven't been a fan of his or his site and he's been known to change his mind when his followers start accusing him of sucking up to Lucas or something. But he was awed by the movie and he says that even though you know what's going to happen, you still don't want Anakin to turn. Here's something (non-spoiler) he says about Anakin and about Luke (curse language cleaned up):
My god. The Jedi really are a bunch of goody two shoe clueless f****. They’re so concerned with fixing the galaxy’s problems that they don’t have time for their own… and due to their unrealistic and inhumane rules about not loving or caring about anything other than the almighty “force” they created an air of fear for Skywalker. How could he level with them? How could he share with them? Obi Wan never takes Anakin out for drinks and just levels with him. Sits him down and explains fascist totalitarianism. He doesn’t explain why sacrificing the most marginal freedoms to create a false sense of security enables those taking on those additional powers to create a greater evil than that which they fear. Hell, nobody really explains to Anakin why Democracy is better than Absolute Rule. Instead it is all this, “Search your feelings” bull****. Turn to your ancient religion. This is why ultimately Luke Skywalker kicks ass. Because he doesn’t have all this dogmatic bull****. Because he’s got a buddy like Han Solo that’d be willing to bust ass across the galaxy to save his ass. Somebody that has his back. FRIENDS! Because when the Sith hits the fan, it’s the love of your friends that’ll help you push through and kick ass. Because Luke believes in twin sunsets, the good guys and saving his dad.
What does Anakin have? Who cares about Anakin? Well Obi Wan, but he doesn’t know how to show it. Yoda? He’s too busy being disturbed about the cosmic meaning of **** to even form a no bull**** non fortune cookie sentence. Mace Windu? He’s got his head so far up his ass it ain’t funny. Padme? She’s more concerned with her hair, her image, everybody’s standing and well being. And then Anakin himself? He’s told he’s the chosen one, the key that will make the galaxy unified. Yet, the only one empowering him to do that is the f****** Emperor.
The funny thing is, some of us have been saying that for years! I don't know whether I've said it here or on the Anakin Skywalker Home Page, but to the Jedi, Anakin is a pawn in a prophecy no one understands. And they're afraid of him. To the Sith, Anakin is a prize to be captured. The only people who genuinely care about him are Obi-Wan, who doesn't do the best job of showing it and is too much of a company man so to speak, and Padmé. Harry was too tough on her. However, because Jedi cannot love and because they must be apart so often, she can't be the influence he needed. In fact, she becomes the very thing he will abandon all morality to keep. When Padmé is out of the picture and when Obi-Wan has thrown in the towel, the only one left who cares for Anakin is Luke. And Luke always had people who cared about him. Luke shows you can love and still be a true Jedi.
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