Taking up the origin story of certainly one of cinema’s best villains needed to be a frightening activity. Nonetheless, actor Hayden Christensen, comparatively unknown on the time, needed to take that on when he portrayed Anakin Skywalker, aka the person who would grow to be Darth Vader, within the sequel to the prequel movie, Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace. Performed as a bit boy by Jake Lloyd in that film, Christensen assumed the position of a 19-year-old Anakin in Star Wars: Episode II – Assault of the Clones, and along with his arrival, got here a flood of criticism.
Some believed he performed the character extra like a petulant baby relatively than showcasing a darkness that would depart the viewers believing he might grow to be the menacing villain he would flip into. Whereas a few of these criticisms are legitimate, Christensen greater than proved himself worthy of the position in Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith, the conclusion of the prequel trilogy, and showcased that he discovered a spot to rise above the clunky screenplay and course of George Lucas.
Hayden Christensen Had To Overcome Subpar Writing and Course From George Lucas
By the point Assault of the Clones was launched, Christensen had acquired numerous harsh responses from critics and followers, one thing that appeared to unfairly comply with him into the darker finale of the prequel trilogy, Revenge of the Sith. The actor, even years after the discharge of Clones, took numerous the brunt of the prequel trilogy criticism as a result of he wasn’t as well-known as his co-stars, like Portman and Ewan McGregor, who portrayed the Jedi grasp to Anakin’s apprentice, Obi-Wan Kenobi.
It is no secret that the Star Wars fandom could be very important, and so they had been very a lot consistent with that description in how they perceived Christensen, repeatedly calling him flat and stilted whereas additionally expressing frustration that his portrayal of Anakin was that of a pouty baby throwing a mood tantrum.
The issue with this efficiency evaluation is that it took years for many to understand none of this was Christensen’s fault. Lucas wrote and directed Anakin to behave this manner. Even the extra seasoned actors within the solid fell sufferer to the director feeling extra at residence with world-building relatively than garnering meaty performances from his solid.
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The script for Clones is decidedly weak, delivering for Christensen and Portman a subpar starting to their love story whereas not permitting the previous to actually dial in on the hints of his darkish nature (though some scenes ALMOST get there, significantly his enraged bloodbath of Tusken Raiders following Shmi Skywalker’s demise). The screenplay for Revenge of the Sith, whereas nonetheless dealing with its points, is stronger. The film additionally advantages from Christensen feeling extra snug within the position, probably completely happy to take pleasure in Anakin’s descent into the darker facet of issues.
One other profit was his work in between movies, most notably his flip in 2003’s Shattered Glass, primarily based on the true story of journalist Stephen Glass, who fabricated quite a few tales as a author for The New Republic. It stays his finest efficiency up to now and a testomony to what Christensen can do with an awesome script and stable course. The actor acquired raves for his efficiency, probably making critics keep in mind he was Golden Globe and SAG nominated for Finest Supporting Actor for his breakthrough efficiency in Life as a Home. For Christensen, it is clear that he carried that confidence from the reception he acquired for Shattered Glass into what he would do in Revenge of the Sith.
In Revenge of the Sith, Christensen was free from dialogue like “I hate sand” and eye-rolling sentences similar to “I am haunted by the kiss you must have by no means given me,” and obtained to dive into one thing a lot deeper. Because of the trajectory of that third movie, Christensen leans into his darker impulses, showcasing a confidence within the position that reaches a fever pitch as soon as the character reaches the purpose of no return. By the point he is proven to bloodbath a bunch of Jedi younglings who’ve grown to belief him, a mere look from Christensen shows a stage of evil that provides audiences a glimpse of what is to come back as soon as the character begins to don his iconic masks and is voiced by James Earl Jones.
Hayden Christensen Feels Extra Assured and at Ease in ‘Revenge of the Sith’
His efficiency in Revenge of the Sith additionally improves on the clunky chemistry and cringey exchanges he has with Portman. Whereas their chemistry would not hit highs in Assault of the Clones, his moments with the actress are way more relaxed within the third installment as he portrays a personality led by his love for her, whilst it’s weaponized by Palpatine/Darth Sidious (Ian McDiarmid) to finish his transition to the darkish facet of the Pressure.
Christensen portrays the conflicting feelings of what Padmé’s love does to Anakin in convincing equal measure. He makes the viewers really feel his deep affections for her whereas additionally showcasing how that love can be utilized towards him. By the point he inflicts hurt on her on the movie’s climax, believing that she has betrayed him, Christensen is convincing in his ache and confusion.
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Nonetheless, it is his moments in battle along with his Jedi Grasp Obi-Wan that Christensen actually shines. Despite the fact that that inevitable battle is an orgy of CGI particular results that performs out round them, the depth is felt all through. Maybe it is as a result of Christensen is taking part in off McGregor’s spectacular efficiency, one which additionally overcame the worst of Lucas’s screenwriting and course. You are primarily watching two brothers, who as soon as had an unbreakable bond, have to interact in a battle that’s heartbreaking for the viewers as a result of, regardless of some questionable selections made all through the prequel trilogy, the bond between Anakin and Obi-Wan is one thing the movies obtained proper. Anakin’s rage, as portrayed by Christensen, is completely measured towards McGregor’s depiction of Obi-Wan’s unhappiness and disappointment.
Fortunately, due to the passage of time, Christensen’s portrayal of Anakin, significantly in Revenge of the Sith, has been correctly reevaluated, and the important notices have improved. The tide modified a lot through the years that, when Christensen returned to painting the position once more within the Disney+ Star Wars collection, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Ahsoka, it was met with cheers relatively than jeers.
The actor has been embraced by the fandom extra positively and, due to his spectacular activate these exhibits, his flip within the prequel trilogy continued to obtain reappraisal in a extra optimistic mild. Generally it takes distance away from one thing to offer it a correct important evaluation, and 20 years later, it’s extremely clear that Christensen overcame many hurdles by the tip to be worthy of bringing Darth Vader’s beginnings to life. Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith is again in theaters for a restricted time.