Star Wars Trilogies: Comparison of Characters

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On October 16, 2009, in Random Thoughts, by Lori Grant

Random thought of the day: comparing the two Star Wars trilogies.

One of my favorite commentary articles on Star Wars is titled “Generational Flap“ by Scott Bowles. I hadn’t thought of the inevitable comparisons between generations, comparing the old, original trilogy to the new one. I especially found the “Like father, like son” comparison of hands of, light sabers, inherited skills, a thing for royalty, reckless youth, and signature vehicle was fascinating. I made my own list after reading these articles. Here’s a summary of how I perceive the key characters between the two trilogies:

Anakin vs. Luke

Strengths: Even when we first meet Anakin as a nine-year old, he’s likeable, selfless, and has heart. His love for his mother is enduring contrary to Luke’s relationship with his uncle and aunt. Luke’s loyalty to his friends is a key strength as well as his commitment to save his father. Anakin exhibits good as he is determined to save the people he cares about ranging from those he loves to the Chancellor.
Weaknesses: Both are whiny to point of complete annoyance. Sheldon can’t stand Luke’s high pitched shrill in A New Hope and Empire Strikes Back. I have to agree with her on that observation. Luke’s always bugged me until Return of the Jedi when he finally matures to face his destiny. Thank goodness or else there’d be nothing to empathize with in Luke. Anakin has his moments too in Attack of the Clones . I just get embarrassed over the dialogue between Anakin and Padme while she’s packing to leave for Naboo. Not only is whiny, but also ungrateful to Obi-Wan.
The Winner: I like Anakin’s journey more than Luke’s because of the complexity of the issues Anakin must face and the strength he shows while being a candidate for the Jedi Order in Phantom Menace to his brief moment of self-awareness after he kills the Tuscan Raiders in Attack of the Clones. Luke’s strength seems limited to saving his friends and his father while Anakin tries to save everyone from his Mother, Obi-Wan, Mace Windu, Chancellor Palpatine, and Padme. He’s whiny, but his fighting skills are awesome compared to Luke.

Padme vs. Leia

Strengths: Padme started out strong as a female lead in Phantom Menace, first as the Queen leading her men to capture the Viceroy in the Throne room. Again, in the Attack of the Clones, Padme demonstrates courage and daring in the stadium scene, showing us where Leia gets her spunk. Padme’s even a pilot. Leia’s one of the first female action heroes though. She always saves the day when it’s Leia that’s usually being rescued. At times, you feel she’s strong than Luke. If only, she’d go through Jedi training to become a master, now there’s a chosen one!
Weaknesses: Padme’s weakness is her love for Anakin. She will always make choices to be with him until he chooses the Dark Side at the end of Revenge of the Sith. At least we finally see Padme draw the line with Anakin by not being able to follow him down that path. Leia’s weakness…none.
The Winner: I enjoyed Padme’s relationship with Anakin, despite the horrible dialog between the two in their romantic scenes. Leia is such a stronger, female lead, so my vote has to go to Leia.

Young Obi-Wan Kenobi vs. Older Obi-Wan Kenobi

Strengths: No one matches Young Obi-Wan light saber skills, not even Darth Maul. I’m always mesmerized by Young Obi-Wan’s skill in every fight scene, even over CGI Yoda. Although I rather enjoy Count Dooku’s style. Older Obi-Wan’s strength is that he finally gets “it” or teaching the ways of the Force in the last trilogy. He’s older, wise, has learned from his additional teachings from Qui-Gon who has learned immortality and new lessons from the Force.
Weaknesses: Young Obi-Wan failed Qui-Gon Jin by not properly teaching Anakin the ways of the Force. I still believe Young Obi-Wan was too young and sarcastic to be effective with Anakin. Older Obi-Wan had no weaknesses that I can think of.
The Winner: Older Obi-Wan, hands down. I always think that the younger Obi-Wan was too close in age to be effective in teaching Anakin about the force. This Obi-Wan is sarcastic and belittling with Anakin. But Younger Obi-Wan rocks out all fight scenes. My favorite scene is when he’s fighting Darth Maul.

CGI Yoda vs. Muppet Yoda

Strengths: Who knew Yoda could kick butt as CGI Yoda? I didn’t. He’s the master Jedi, number 1 on the council. He’s wise, patient, and an amazing warrior. He’s always able to sum of the ways of the Force in one or two sentences. Muppet Yoda. Hm. Even George Lucas expressed his concerns that Muppet Yoda couldn’t been a disaster because he could have been too much like Kermit the Frog. But Muppet Yoda didn’t turn out to be Kermit. He was able to draw boundaries on why Luke wasn’t a good candidate, but then we know he had to say, “Yes” to the training since Leia sure wasn’t a contender at the time.
Weaknesses: Key weakness in CGI Yoda was his complacency in how he managed the Jedi Council, not seeing the Dark Side’s motives for ten years. He failed to adapt Jedi training to the new landscape. Muppet Yoda didn’t have any weaknesses that I can think of. Common weakness of the two: Grammar!
The Winner: Muppet Yoda who’s also communed with Qui-Gon Jin and learned more ways of the Force. The CGI Yoda was great until he started fighting Count Dooku. When I watched the release in the theater, the audience giggled as the CGI Yoga fought. Whenever I see this scene, I just can’t take it seriously.

Jar Jar Binks vs. Ewoks

Strengths: Jar Jar Binks. Just the name alone brings strong emotions! Okay, but his strengths? He’s innocent and always has good intentions. Ewoks? Versatile and innovative warriors.
Weaknesses: Don’t get me started. I can’t list all the weaknesses of Jar Jar, I’ll be civil and say he has many. The key weakness was being manipulated by the Chancellor and making a motion to grant the Chancellor emergency powers. Good job, Jar Jar…Ewoks, please teddy bear warriors, right…
The Winner: Tie, both Jar Jar and the Ewoks grate on me. They were not a comic relief for me, only a nuisance that hinders my movie watching of Star Wars. I always fast forward through scenes that include Ewoks and Jar Jar.

Why am I writing about Star Wars again? I just marathoned the trilogies, again for the 100th time.