Many fans and critics have ranked Star Wars: Episode III—Revenge of the Sith as the best of the prequel trilogy. While there are numerous outstanding moments in Episode III, Hayden Christensen's Anakin Skywalker, aka 'The Chosen One,' steals the show.
Here are 5 of Anakin Skywalker's most unforgettable moments in Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith.
1. Anakin saves Obi-Wan:
This important scene isn't talked about as much as it should be! During their mission to save Chancellor Palpatine, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin, and Palpatine find themselves aboard General Grivevous's ship, the Invisible Hand. As the ship begins to break apart, Palpatine urges Anakin to leave his unconscious Master behind, insisting there is no time to save him. Anakin disagrees and speaks one of his best lines of dialogue when he says the prophetic words, "His fate will be the same as ours" before carrying Obi-Wan to safety.
Indeed, the trio would have the same fate, as all three would perish aboard the Death Star years later. However, on this occasion, Anakin doesn't let Palpatine persuade him to leave his honorable Master behind which is one of his most heroic moments and shows us how much he cared for the people he loved.
2. Anakin tells Mace Windu that Palpatine is a Sith Lord:
Mace Windu didn't always trust Anakin, as he sensed the boy was trouble early on. So, ironically, Mace Windu ends up being the Jedi who has the clearest account of Anakin's final moments as a Jedi before he gives into the dark side. Before Windu departs to confront Chancellor Palpatine, Anakin informs him there's no getting through to the Chancellor because he's a Sith Lord.
Windu is shocked, but Anakin tells him he's sure that Palpatine is dangerous. He explains that he wants to accompany Windu because facing off against Palpatine won't be easy. Windu tells him he's too conflicted. It would be better if he stayed behind, and "If what you've told me is true, you will have gained my trust." In other words, Anakin would have been granted the rank of Master if he'd stayed behind and let Mace Windu finish the job.
This scene is one of Anakin's finest moments as a Jedi Knight, and if Mace Windu were to come back, I wish he would tell Ahsoka all about it.
3. Anakin meets General Grievous:
This scene is even more fun if you watch Episode III after finishing all seven seasons of The Clone Wars, where Anakin has several hits and misses with General Grievous before the two finally meet. It's one of the rare scenes in this overall dark film where the characters share a fun banter. Grievous comments about Anakin being a little young for a guy of his reputation (which makes his fall more tragic), and Anakin replies, "General Grievous, you're shorter than I expected."
This was a pretty awesome scene before The Clone Wars, but the show added more context to this small interaction. Bonus points for Grievous's signature cough, "Jedi Scum!" and Hayden Christensen's striking good looks in a scene that's made for all the Clone Wars fans out there.
4. Anakin's betrayal:
This isn't Anakin's finest moment as a Jedi; it's his worst one. But it's memorable thanks to Hayden Christensen's performance. As Anakin ascends the steps of the Jedi Temple, he represents death and doom. This scene is juxtaposed with the tragic unfolding of Order 66 across the galaxy.
While not for the faint of heart, it's essential to demonstrate that Anakin was beyond saving. Although his slaughter of the younglings isn't shown in graphic detail, the shot when he ignites his lightsaber in front of a small boy in a Padawan robe is enough to send a chill down our spines. Hayden Christensen does a great job as the unhinged and out-of-control Anakin.
5. "Don't make me kill you:"
It's not easy to find Anakin's best moments in Revenge of the Sith without running into his worst ones. Even though he's more Darth Vader in this scene than Anakin, it's technically still an Anakin scene when he tells Obi-Wan, "If you're not with me, then you're my enemy." From a certain point of view, Anakin invites Obi-Wan to join him, which shows he still holds Obi-Wan in a certain regard, even if he's been twisted by the dark side.
Hayden Christensen's delivery of "I have brought peace, freedom, justice, and security to my new Empire," has become legendary in the past few years. Hayden Christensen steals the show and proves that Anakin remained sassy to the bitter end.
Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith is streaming on Disney+. Stay tuned to Dork Side of the Force for ongoing coverage of Revenge of the Sith's 20th Anniversary