[J m HofMarN]

So maybe we've been looking at this wrong. Maybe Anakin is evil because of years of abuse and neglect from his mother. And here's yet another interesting question. Obi-wan and Jar Jar both know that Anakin has a fragging bomb in his head, as Does Watto. Soon as we get the idea that Anakin is misbehaving shouldn't any of them just press the button to turn darth vader into darth crater? Stupid stupid stupid!

[Just your average movie goer]

Shit, I had completely forgotten about that fraggin bomb. Man, I would have hit the button myself if audience interaction was possible. Hey, there's an idea - make Episode III interactual so we can do things to characters we don't like.... virtually blow Anakin into atomic sized particles and do something very horrible to Jar Jar Binks - maybe with a high voltage electric shock device, a flame thrower or something like that. I'd also like to run him over in a virtual air speeder or drop him from a great height. Come to think of it, I'd also like to do that to George Lucas as well....

.... sorry, I got a bit carried away there.

[J m HofMarN]

You weren't the only one movie goer, apparently Anakin and Lucas forgot about it as well. Oooh yeah that would be sweet. And they could have a little scratch and snif pad so you could smell the burnt gungan flesh. Somehow I seriously believe that Lucas will avoid killing Jar Jar, if he does there is no justice in the world and Jar Jar will be free to invade the original episodes in the next special editions, which will likely just be star vehicles for BOBA FETT!

Speaking of Boba Fett, I really think that what Lucas should do is forget about movies and just host an animated late night talk show on Cartoon Network with Jar Jar Binks as his band leader and Boba Fett to handle the technical stuff. Not only could they then be left to their own means but the three worst parts about the prequels would be gone. Anyone who got the reference to Space Ghost Coast to Coast is bad-ass.

[DistantAngel]

Barend mentioned the idea that Anakin should be portrayed more like Boromir than Gollum, once again making the point that Lucas STOLE, erhm, sorry, was inspired by LOTR. Actually, I think Anakin should be more like Gollum, if anything.

Gollum is not supposed to be the hate figure of LOTR although, due to incredibly skillful writing (and directing by Mr Jackson), you will often find yourself wanting to give the scrawny wretch a damn good kicking (same goes for Anakin, although this is due more to stupid writing, not skillful writing). Gollum, as a character, is one that you're supposed to pity. He didn't want this ring, but like everyone who comes into contact with it, he is seduced by it - the power that it offers is awesome, and it takes a strong mind to resist it. Gollum is corrupted by his own weakness, as is everyone ... he is not inherently evil - malicious and sneaky, yes, but not actually evil. He represents the ultimate depth that someone can plumb when seduced by the power of the ring, and serves as a warning to those who crave it - but it is the ring, and it's creator, that are evil.

Gollum is supposed to be pitied because he has been all but robbed of his free will, and now has little choice but obey the ring - to be without it causes pain - to be with it causes relief, albeit a short-lived relief which will betray the wearer to his death. Free will is the greatest gift a sentient creature can have; the ability and the right to choose for oneself how to live their life - the freedom to do as one wishes. To be stripped of this is perhaps the most intense tragedy that can befall anyone ... it's this idea that Lucas was clearly trying to embody with "the Dark Side". He even uses the same language; Vader was "seduced" by the dark side; "It is too late for me, my son" suggesting that the corruption can become too great (as it is suggested with Gollum, and that he is beyond redemption) - Lucas essentially took the ring, and turned it into the "dark side", but dumbed it down somewhat.

In SW, the dark side is seductive, its power is impressive and cool, and sat in that audience we too found it difficult to resist. At least, that was in ESB ... when we got to ROTJ the dark side seemed a bit gay and easy to defeat (lots of talking and a fight, no problem!) In the prequel trilogy, it seemed like the dark side had lost its cool and become some kind of corrupt government that chatted a lot and passed resolutions and took power by stealth rather than by force. Lucas has taken universally intriguing subjects like power and corruption, and turned them into the dullest things ever - stuff we no longer care about - as long as that stroppy teenager gets mangled and shoved into a black plastic suit, we don't care anymore. I don't pity Anakin, and I should - in order to be redeemed, there has to be something worth redeeming. There is no good in him - he's a miserable, murderous git, with all the charm of a unflushed toilet - when the prequel and original trilogies are watched in sequence, we'll get to ROTJ and think "screw him, Luke! Leave the tosser to blow up!" All that work establishing Vader as a potentially human character 20 years ago has been ruined ...

In fact, that's the only pity ...

[Ferris Wiel]

I'll admit, I do not think that summary is 100% accurate:

Why? Lucas has fucked up alot of things in the prequesl so far, however, I cannot believe he will make ANakin:

1. Solely responsible for Padme's death
and
2. Kill a group of jedi children.

There will be absolutley no possible way that there could be any good from Anakin if this is to happen. He is pure evil from beginning to end. Why would you give a fuck is he is redeemed by ROTJ, nothing he had done in his entire life up until then would give you any indication that he had any trace of good in him.

I am getting to the point where I am going to have to tel my future children that Lucas only made 3 Star Wars films, the new trilogy never existed.

Wait a tick...

But I thought Padme was Mon Mothma...



Okay, I couldn't say it with a straight face. Did you know this is a genuine debate, though, among the PT fans?

--FW

[barend]

Gollum was creepy, and said things out loud he should not have...
as did annie

Bormoir was cunning warrior, and a good friend, who was taken by the darkside.

[Rory]

What if they just took out the bomb?

[Chefelf]

Helena, join us. You don't know the POWER of the Chefelf.com Night Life Forum members. JOIN US!!!

[Ferris Wiel]

Helena, join us. You don't know the POWER of the Chefelf.com Night Life Forum members. JOIN US!!!

You're pretty seductive, Chefelf.

--FW

[Helena]

Helena, join us.  You don't know the POWER of the Chefelf.com Night Life Forum members.  JOIN US!!!

NO!!! I will NEVER join y- ah, what the hell.

[barend]

Hooray!!!!:)

[barend]

I mean... YIPEEEE!

[J m HofMarN]

Rory- With all that Lucas has forgotten I don't think he has the attention span to remember to do something like that.

Helena- Yes, join us. The old republic you serve is corrupt in some way, also there's issues about trade routes and so we've decided to seperate because of our ideals. It's all very confusing so it's best just not to think about it and join us without asking any awkward questions.

[J m HofMarN]

Damn, I was reading the posts and it got me to thinking horrible thoughts about Anakin acting more like Boromir or vice versa... Sorry but I don't like to suffer alone.

Boromir: Have you ever been called home by the white tower of Ikthalion? It's dry and coarse and it gets everywhere! Not like here, here everything is soft, smooth...

Aragorn: ...

Anduril: SHEEEEENG!!!

( For those who don't know Anduril is Aragorn's sword, the shards of Isildur's blade Narsil reforged. It means flame of the west and though he didn't have it at the time I think that can be overlooked because "Aragorn's ranger sword" just dosn't sound as cool. )