The Force is with me (Star Wars)

[butterfly]

So, I've now rewatched the entirety of the Imperial Trilogy (saw someone use the terms 'Republic Trilogy' and 'Imperial Trilogy' and went... oh! That's a much better way of putting it than 'Original' or 'Classic' versus 'Prequel'.).

So, I can't see Darth Vader anymore. All I see is Anakin Skywalker. There were several moments, over the course of the films, when I would say, "Oh, Ani," in this mournful way. Because... it hurts, to see him like that, trapped in so many ways.

And Luke and Leia have such cute kisses (I may have to make myself an icon of at least one of them). The two surprise ones in ANH, the big 'showing Han' one in ESB and then I could swear that Leia kisses Luke after she's recovered him from Cloud City (and I think he kisses her good-bye in RotJ).

Han really reminded me of Anakin, which was amusing, because so does Leia! Like attracting to like, I suppose.

I loved the new films so much because of how they've changed my view of Anakin, Obi-Wan, Yoda, and Artoo and Threepio. The whole thing is just so much deeper. I was amazed at how much I cared about all the characters.

The first two movies of the Republic Trilogy have already arrived via netflix. I was shocked at the speed! I now plan on watching them tonight.

Comments

[honorh.livejournal.com]

*So* need to borrow the Imperial Trilogy (nice term!) and watch it with the Republic Trilogy in mind. Darth Vader/Anakin Skywalker has become such a deep character now. I want to see his redemption again.

Yes, Leia does remind me of her father, with her quick temper and daring. Luke resembles Padme especially in RotJ, with his Jedi reserve. Vader/Anakin offered the same temptation to both Luke and Padme, and both mother and son refused it--though it broke the mother, and nearly the son, they were both too strong and moral to go where Vader had gone.

And I do think it'd disturb Leia to realize just how much Anakin and Han favor each other, with one crucial difference: Anakin never got jaded.

[sistermagpie.livejournal.com]

I feel the same way! I watched ANH and ESB last weekend and it's always Anakin. There were so many scenes that played differently after the Republic Trilogy. You're right, that's a great way to title them.

[selenak.livejournal.com]

Oh, that's a brilliant idea for naming the trilogies. I shall adopt it at once.

And yes, I see him as Anakin throughout the Imperial Trilogy now, too.

Luke and Leia: guiltily,I agree.*g*

Han and Leia and Anakin: fernwithy's "Father's Heart" saga which centres on Leia really plays on her similarity with Anakin, and "The Penitent" which is something she cowrote with a couple of other authors and is an AU in which Anakin stands trial after RotJ plays on the Han similarities (which shock the hell out of Han for a moment when he realizes that Darth Vader, of all the people, gets what flying means to him...). Anakin laughing when he and Obi-Wan pursue Zam because of the speed thrill, or saying "this is where the fun begins" in RotS? Definitely something Han would do as well.

And amen to the Republic Trilogy making the story, and the characters, so much deeper.

[thalia-seawood.livejournal.com]

Yes, now you *care* when Vader appears in ANH. Before the Republic Trilogy (I will so adopt this term - it's great) he's just the villain entering the scene. But now you see how great he was and what has been lost and you just hope for him...
I think watching ANH will also be more intense, because you'll be worried that Vader might kill Luke or Leia without knowing they are his children.
EBS has a new twist: When Vader reveals to Luke that he's his father it's a different kind of shock. Not "Wow, he's Luke's father", but "Wow, Vader is acknowledging his past again", because that's obviously something both Obi-Wan and Yoda have never considered at all. (See Yoda's: "Told you he did?. Unexpected this is.")

And I can't state often enough how absolutely brilliant Hayden Christensen is. He really took over Vader's body language and speech patterns and blended them with Jake Lloyd's performance. The way he walks, e.g. into Palpatine's office when the fight between Mace and Palpatine is already on going, is just perfect. Or the way he stands in meditations, turns his head, ... It's all there. I think that's a big part of why we now can see Anakin in Vader so clearly.