couple of RotS questions (spoilers)

[Greatwyrm]

Why did the Emperor save vader? I thought that the Dark Side says that only the weak die. It seems that Obi One beat him, so doesn't saving a weakling violate the dark side?

I've not seen RotS, but...

In The Prince, Machiavelli says that if you're left with a group you can't trust, kill all of them but one. That guy will be loyal. Palpatine certainly couldn't trust any of the other Jedi, but if he saved Vader, he knows he'd be loyal.

Also, it's not necessarliy weakness that leads to Vader's defeat. He's supposed to have the most raw power with the force of anyone, except maybe Yoda. On the other hand, Obi-Wan has about a 15 year headstart on Vader in using the force and swordsmanship. You can't teach experience. Once Vader has time to really be instructed by Palpatine, he'd be practically unstoppable.

 

[Brother Shatterstone]

Did they have to show Vader killing children? I really think Star Wars is first and farmost a kid's movie and I dont understand why Lucus violated that in this one?

Well you do realize that Anakin/Vader killed children in AotC, right? And last I looked they where Lucas’ movies and the not children of the world’s movies.

Additionally, it's hinted that Palpatine (or his master) are responsible for Anakin's birth/creation. If that's true, he won't let his son/creature die if possible - Anakin has been too much of an investment.

I couldn't agree more... The Darth Pelagius' story actually answered one of my complaints about TPM so yeah I was happy to except it.

 

[rgard]

Some additional thoughts:

Palpatine has been losing apprentices for three movies - Anakin is more or less is last option.

Additionally, it's hinted that Palpatine (or his master) are responsible for Anakin's birth/creation. If that's true, he won't let his son/creature die if possible - Anakin has been too much of an investment.

Not certain, but I think the description of the prophecy changed from SW1 to SW3. First it was that the chosen one would bring balance to the force. In SW3 it was different, I forget the verbage...destroying the Sith?

I never understood why (in the case of the balance to the force) the Jedi would want to bring balance to a situation where they had the upper hand...dozens of Jedi vs. 2 Sith. It was clearly unbalanced in the Jedis' favor.

Anybody else notice when Sidious touches Vader's head gently at the edge of the lava flow when the plebe's are sent to get a medical pod? It was almost compassionate. Kinda scary.

Thanks,
Rich

 

[BiggusGeekus]

Anybody else notice when Sidious touches Vader's head gently at the edge of the lava flow when the plebe's are sent to get a medical pod? It was almost compassionate. Kinda scary.

I interpreted it as more coveteous. Like how Gollum treated the One Ring. Sidious certainly doesn't relate to Vader as a person.

 

[rgard]

I interpreted it as more coveteous. Like how Gollum treated the One Ring. Sidious certainly doesn't relate to Vader as a person.

That definitely could be.

Somebody also suggested that Sidious was using the force to stabilze Vader. Similar to Yoda (IIRC) touching either Anakin or Obi Wan after the duel with Dooku in SW2.

 

[sniffles]

Did they have to show Vader killing children? I really think Star Wars is first and farmost a kid's movie and I dont understand why Lucus violated that in this one?

First, they didn't actually showing him killing any children - they strongly implied that he did so, though.

Second, why can't you show things like that in a "kids" movie? I've never understood why childrens' movies have to be all sweetness and light, and nothing 'bad' or scary. I know some people will say we should shield children from the bad things in the world as long as possible, but I disagree. Anyway, it's only a movie.

 

[Narfellus]

Wait, wait, wait.

Are we saying that the Emperor killed this Plagus guy, who had in turn created Anakin himself? And the Emperor secretly guided him toward the Dark Side all along? That's a hefty claim, and sort of neat, but sounds like a lot of conjecture. I thought it was pure coincidence that Qui Gon found Anakin on Tatooine.

 

[rgard]

Wait, wait, wait.

Are we saying that the Emperor killed this Plagus guy, who had in turn created Anakin himself? And the Emperor secretly guided him toward the Dark Side all along? That's a hefty claim, and sort of neat, but sounds like a lot of conjecture. I thought it was pure coincidence that Qui Gon found Anakin on Tatooine.

The Emperor does imply that. Of course it could just be that he took advantage of the stories of Anakin's conception and lied to further bring Anakin into the Sith fold.

 

[BiggusGeekus]

Second, why can't you show things like that in a "kids" movie? I've never understood why childrens' movies have to be all sweetness and light, and nothing 'bad' or scary. I know some people will say we should shield children from the bad things in the world as long as possible, but I disagree. Anyway, it's only a movie.

It's not a question of sheltering kids, it's a question of helping them internalize the negativity and helping them use that to be good people.

For little kids all this stuff does is scare them. They see Anikin burnt up and evil and get nightmares. No lessons learned. No growing experience. Nothing but being scared.

For older kids you have to help them identify what's right and wrong. Some of them will still get scared, but you want to use the opportunity to show them things like "hey, keeping a big secret like being married can be bad" or "this is why doing the wrong thing even for what you think is the right reason is still wrong." The ratings system, when used, gives parents a heads up that they'll be called upon to do some talking.

At least that's my take.

 

[rgard]

It's not a question of sheltering kids, it's a question of helping them internalize the negativity and helping them use that to be good people.

For little kids all this stuff does is scare them. They see Anikin burnt up and evil and get nightmares. No lessons learned. No growing experience. Nothing but being scared.

For older kids you have to help them identify what's right and wrong. Some of them will still get scared, but you want to use the opportunity to show them things like "hey, keeping a big secret like being married can be bad" or "this is why doing the wrong thing even for what you think is the right reason is still wrong." The ratings system, when used, gives parents a heads up that they'll be called upon to do some talking.

At least that's my take.

I didn't want to take my 7 year old to see it, but the wife took him with the others.

I changed my sig in honor of this thread!

Edit: of course it isn't showing up after I changed it.
Edit 2: it's now showing up in previous posts of mine. That's wild. The system is going back and changing my original sig in earlier posts to the new one.