MovieChat Forums > Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005) Discussion > The fall of Michael Corleone Vs The fall...

The fall of Michael Corleone Vs The fall of Anakin Skywalker

posted 4 years ago by FootOfDavros (8252)
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If you watch The Godfather, asides from all the spectacular bloodshed, one of the great aspects is the core story - the downfall of Michael Corleone, a good man, a war hero, who wanted no part in the family "business".

When his poor helpless papa is gunned down in cold blood, it sets in motion the series of events which will see him become the very thing he least wanted to be, i.e. the despised head of the family (what's left of it) empire.

Of course the Star Wars prequels have many, many problems but perhaps most tragically is the baffoonish nature in which the fall of Anakin was handled. This culminates in Palps telling him - after he has helped murder Windu - that he doesn't, er, have the power to save Padme after all but, erm, if they work together I'm sure they can work it out! Anakin then laughably seems to just shug his shoulders (in for a penny, in for a pound?) and go along with it!

Terrific stuff. But how could they have handled it better? How should Anakin's fall have been written to give it some Corleone style gravitas?

[–] peter_t_2k3 (1052) 4 years ago

I have to admit I've never seen any of the godfather films yet - yes shame on me, but I do plan to.

Star wars wise I'd seen the original and the first 2 prequels, but recently watched them all including the newer trilogy. A lot of people seem to dislike the newer trilogy, and while it has its issues, I felt they worked better overall. My biggest issue with the prequels is Anakin's fall just isn't believable.

I get they where showing he had anger and stuff e.g. killing those who took his mother, but he seemed still conflicted, unsure who he was. When he realises Palpatine was a Sith lord he went straight to the Jedi but when they try to kill him, suddenly went to Palpatine's side without questioning anything. Even if Palpatine was able to persuade Anakin that the Jedi where actually the problem it's a huge leap to suddenly not question orders to kill the young Jedi. Surely being uncertain, he'd question this order.

I do wonder if everything was simply rushed. I mean a lot of episode 1 didn't really need to happen, maybe we could have just had flashbacks or had a jump forward in time. Maybe show Palpatine working with him more, so we see he's manipulating him a lot more.

[–] FootOfDavros (8252) 4 years ago

I'd agree that despite having three prequel films to work it in (as against two in The Godfather) Anakin's fall did seem rushed. And didn't really make any sense.

The younglings killings were indeed a ridiculous leap - especially coming right after Palpatine admits he doesn't have the power to save Padme anyway (right after Anakin has assisted in killing the other Jedi for that very purpose!). Plus his conflict / annoyance with the Jedi that they don't trust Palpatine at this stage makes no sense either given that he has told Anakin he is the Sith Lord they've been looking for 😂.

The only thing that vaguely covers his logic after Palps backtracked on the saving Padme business is if he just went "Oh well, f---k it, in for a penny, in for a pound...".

[–] Seperatrix (1234) 4 years ago

"Anakin's fall did seem rushed. And didn't really make any sense."

"The younglings killings were indeed a ridiculous leap - especially coming right after Palpatine admits he doesn't have the power to save Padme"

I won't attempt a stiff defense of the writing, but I will offer that Anakin's collapse in that moment was earned. Through all three films a emphasis was placed on his fear and anger -- the two things we are told that lead to the dark side. And his fear of losing Padme clearly led to a "at all costs" moment. And in that moment, he couldn't think straight enough to realize that Palpatine had changed his story and couldn't be trusted.

[–] peter_t_2k3 (1052) 4 years ago

I get your point but i feel he wasn't too far gone or it wasn't shown enough, that killing the younglings or simply been asked to, wouldn't have made him question his actions.

Killing Mace Windu does make some sense because Palpatine does try to make Anakin think that the Jedi are the bad ones and there's the whole thing of them not trusting him. So when Windu comes Palpatine makes it look like an assassination attempt and the Jedi being un-jedi.

But right there I'd still say he hadn't truly went to the dark side so it was a leap for me that he was unsure who was right but never questioned killing the younglings at a point he'd in my opinion still be unsure a little

[–] Seperatrix (1234) 4 years ago

" . . . i feel he wasn't too far gone or it wasn't shown enough, that killing the younglings or simply been asked to, wouldn't have made him question his actions."

I completely understand where you're coming from and I'd by lying if I told you I haven't thought the same thing. I suppose I've just come to accept "it is what it is" and fill in the blanks for myself how such a heinous transformation could take place so suddenly.

In that vein, this particular kind of story might have worked better as a series, where the character has a longer story arc that chronicles his descent into darkness.

Though in the wrong hands even that approach could fail (see last season of Game of Thrones for example).

[–] Martoto (5049) 4 years ago

Three movies is a pretty long arc. The problem is that Lucas neglected to convey a coherent arc for about 90% of its running. Winning a pod race had virtually nothing to do with Anakin's "ark". Even slaughtering the sand people and almost being killed by Dooku had little material influence on Anakin choosing to join the Sith midway through the third movie.

[–] Martoto (5049) 4 years ago

Michael's poor defenseless papa wasn't gunned down in cold blood. He was caught off guard without adequate protection.

Michael turned to crime because he might have hated his father's business but he hated his father's business rivals trying to kill him in his hospital bed even more and wanted to prove that he can hurt anyone who think they can hurt him or his family.

[–] FootOfDavros (8252) 4 years ago

He was caught off guard without adequate protection.

That's true but it was still a cold blooded drive by while he was inspecting fruit or veg wasn't it?

I do like the honour aspect in the Godfather though - I'm sure there's a mention at one point that Michael will be safe as the rival families know that he is "civilian".