The Criticism of the Prequels
Christensen’s return to Star Wars was a long-awaited moment for many fans, who have grown to appreciate his performance in the Prequel Trilogy over the years. However, when he first appeared as Anakin in Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones (2002) and Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005), he faced a lot of backlash from critics and some fans, who criticized his acting as stiff, wooden, and unconvincing. They also blamed him for ruining the character of Anakin, who was supposed to be a charismatic and tragic hero, but instead came across as a whiny and angsty teenager.
Christensen was not the only one who suffered from the negative reception of the Prequels, which were also accused of having poor dialogue, excessive CGI, and inconsistent storytelling. His co-stars Ewan McGregor (Obi-Wan Kenobi) and Natalie Portman (Padmé Amidala) also received some harsh comments, as well as director George Lucas, who created the Star Wars saga. The Prequels were widely considered as inferior to the Original Trilogy, which had a huge cultural impact and a loyal fanbase.
The Appreciation of the Clone Wars
However, over time, the Prequels gained more recognition and respect from a new generation of fans, who grew up watching them in theaters or on DVD. They also benefited from the success of the animated series Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008-2020), which expanded on the events and characters of the Prequel era, and gave more depth and development to Anakin and his relationship with Ahsoka. The Clone Wars also featured different voice actors for Anakin (Matt Lanter) and Obi-Wan (James Arnold Taylor), who gave more nuanced and expressive performances than their live-action counterparts.
The Clone Wars was created by Dave Filoni, who is also the showrunner of Ahsoka. Filoni is widely regarded as one of the best storytellers in Star Wars, and he has a deep understanding and respect for Lucas’ vision. He has also been instrumental in bringing back some of the legacy actors from the Prequels, such as McGregor in Obi-Wan Kenobi (2022), a Disney+ miniseries that explores his life after Revenge of the Sith, and Christensen in Ahsoka.
The Nuance of Anakin and Vader
Christensen’s portrayal of Anakin and Vader in Ahsoka is a testament to his talent and dedication as an actor. He manages to capture both the light and dark sides of his character, showing his kindness and compassion as well as his anger and pain. He also bridges the gap between his own version of Anakin and Lanter’s version from The Clone Wars, using a similar tone and inflection that fans are familiar with. He also wears a partial mask that covers half of his face, hinting at his eventual transformation into Vader.
Christensen’s performance in Ahsoka is not only a treat for fans, but also a redemption for himself. He has proven that he can deliver a compelling and emotional performance as one of the most complex and iconic characters in Star Wars. He has also received praise and support from his co-stars, directors, and fans alike. He has shown that he deserves respect and appreciation for his work in Star Wars, which has been a significant part of his life and career.
