Although there has been backlash surrounding George Lucas' choice to chronicle Darth Vader's backstory as Anakin Skywalker in the Star Wars saga, this choice was warranted for a multitude of reasons. The argument can be made that the origins of characters like Vader (those originally shrouded in mystery and intrigue) should be left untouched. This is certainly the case for Yoda, as the fact that the small-statured Jedi Master's species and much of his backstory remains unknown only adds to the allure and fascination associated with his character. But, for a villain as compelling as Vader, his backstory deserved to be told, and an exception had to be made.
The idea that Vader's backstory should have been left unresolved was especially prevalent before the release of the sequel trilogy and has once again picked up steam following the release of Vader's fateful rematch with Kenobi, but more pertinently, continued to enrich the lore of two characters that made their big-screen debut over 45 years ago. The choice to further explore Vader's character in the prequels and beyond not only opened up exciting new character-driven threads but also generally strengthened the Star Wars franchise as a whole. Despite the ensuing backlash, Lucas was right to tell Darth Vader's backstory.
Anakin's Backstory Made ROTJ's Redemption Ending Better
Vader's redemption was already a moving ending to best of the three Star Wars trilogies, arguably the prequels' greatest strength was the depth they exhibited in holistically depicting Anakin's turn from light to dark. Seeing Anakin's tragic fate unfold across three films renders him a more sympathetic character, and given his own personal journey, audiences can understand why he would make the choice to overthrow the Emperor in an ultimate act of vindication.
After all, Anakin couldn't bare to see his son experience the same tumultuous battle with the dark side that he had already endured. Despite Vader's helmeted visage, his shared pain with Luke is palpable. Luke's suffering plays a large role in Vader's return to the light, and the prequels highlighted that Anakin's selfless side was ever-present. Anakin's poor choices were largely the result of Palpatine's twisted plans, and regardless of the atrocities Anakin may have committed at the Emperor's behest, his redemption was inevitable. Seeing his backstory unearthed made this final act of self-sacrifice that much more emotionally resonant, strengthening Return of the Jedi's already resolute finale.
Anakin's Backstory Proved The TRUE Power Of The Dark Side
Although the dark side of the Force is seen substantially in the original trilogy, the prequels highlighted its full power through Anakin's backstory. Although more overt Force abilities like Vader's Force choke or the Emperor's searing Force lightning are seen in both trilogies, the true power of the dark side is conveyed through Emperor Palpatine's masterful manipulation leading to Anakin's turn in the prequels. While there are shades of Luke's potential fall as well — like when he appears to use Force choke in Return of the Jedi — he never fully succumbs to the temptation as Anakin did.
Lucas was right to tell Darth Vader's backstory, as chronicling the tragedy of Anakin Skywalker allowed the genuine horror of the dark side to be manifested in a way that audiences hadn't seen from Luke's point of view. Telling the story from the perspective of the supposed hero — from his innocent years on Tatooine to his malignant machinations on Coruscant — allowed the truly sinister nature of the dark side to take shape. Sure, Vader was evidently strong in the Force in the original trilogy, but the prequels showcased a relevant dichotomy to the dark side that audiences hadn't glimpsed before, all thanks to Anakin's tragic demise.
Return Of The Jedi Made Anakin's Origin Necessary
Further, Luke helps Darth Vader remove his helmet in Return of the Jedi, and the choice to literally show the man behind the mask only heightened interest in Anakin's origins before his turn. Star Wars had given Darth Vader a face, and although this redemption and reveal helped to humanize an otherwise overtly villainous figure, it also opened the door for Lucasfilm to fully flesh out the character. However, Lucas didn't have the screenplay or story for the prequels fully finished. He had a vague idea of what the rise of the Empire would look like, including backstories for Palpatine, Luke, and most importantly, Vader, but not much else.
While seeing a relative reeling in pain could be enough to make anyone turn on a longtime ally, Vader's choice to overthrow Palpatine was still curious. The pair had this unexplained relationship throughout the original trilogy, and although Palpatine likely could have stopped Vader in Return of the Jedi, it's fitting that this wasn't the case, as it led to a touching moment between father and son. Not only that, but Vader's heartfelt words to Luke at the end of the film also opened up a softer side to the Sith Lord that could be later explored in the prequels.
Showing Anakin's Pre-Vader Life Was Never The Prequel Trilogy's Problem
As interest in Star Wars endured, George Lucas was able to incorporate his vision for the franchise's future. Lucas was afforded the time to craft Anakin's backstory, but just as importantly, the technology was finally adequate for Lucas to illustrate Anakin's origins the way he always intended. After all, although some of the backlash surrounding the choice to tell Darth Vader's backstory was warranted, much of this discourse centered around Anakin's characterization, not the actual origin story itself. The prequels' story made Anakin (and subsequently Vader) a more understandable character, even if the accompanying depiction wasn't up to par.
Lucas' much-maligned prequel dialogue notwithstanding, the choice to utilize the movies as a conduit for the backstory of one of film's most iconic figures remains prudent. There will always be claims that Vader's origins should have been left untouched, as the prequels presented a host of problems with Anakin's character. But, in choosing to continue the Star Wars saga through Anakin's pre-Vader experiences, Lucas managed to improve Return of the Jedi's redemption arc, showcase the full power of the dark side, and remedy questions about a newly unmasked character. All the while, reinvigorating interest in a franchise and introducing innovative filmmaking techniques that would become staples of cinema for years to come.
