Star Wars: 10 Reasons The Prequel Trilogy Is Better Than You Remember

Hayden Christensen does not get anywhere near enough credit for his portrayal of Anakin Skywalker. Yes, there is questionable dialogue at times, but he does an excellent job of making Anakin as complex and layered as he is.

Anakin's transition to Vader is handled expertly, and the slow descent over the course of the three films is what the character needed and deserved. The seeds of doubt are sown when Anakin is still a young boy and Yoda senses the darkness within him, but even though we know his fate, it's still hard to believe that this child will become a Dark Lord of the Sith.

He is an extremely emotional individual and his intentions come from a place of genuine love for those he cares about. It may not be the Jedi way, but can anyone really blame Anakin for doing what he did to the tusken raiders after the death of his mother?

The issue with Anakin is the lack of guidance he is given from the Jedi, and they do not offer him the guidance he needs to deal with the conflict within him. The rigidity of the Jedi code forbids Anakin from forming relationships, and the only advice he is given is to learn to let go of those he cares about. Even Obi-Wan can't see the struggle Anakin faces, and this results in him feeling isolated with no one he can turn to to help. The only one who does offer Anakin the help he seeks is Palpatine.

Palpatine capitalises on Anakin's emotions and love for Padme, which is what leads to his transition to Vader, but even then he is blinded by his emotions and ultimately does what he does in order to save Padme. It is quite fitting that for a character who has such strong emotions, in the end it's his love for his son that brings Anakin back from the dark side.