Nothing "sudden" about Anakin's transformation to Darth Vader

Rating: 10/10 (28 May 2005)

After reading a number of reviews of this movie I felt compelled to add a bit about Anakin Skywalker. Many of the reviews seem to suggest that his descent into the dark side and his existence as Darth Vader is unrealistic, that after being so good how could he so quickly turn from that to the dark side? Let me point out that anger and darkness have been present in this character in all three prequels. In the first he lived as a slave, and this created in him an incredible sense of injustice, of anger. He loved his mother but had hatred for other things, for how they had to live.
The talent that Anakin had and his relationship with Obi Wan is also something worth note. From the first Anakin is aware that he is talented, that he will one day far outshine any of the Jedi and this creates pride, a hubris in him that does not lead to goodness. And though he respects Obi Wan in almost every scene they have together Anakin gets angry, bites back a comment, chokes on his rage. The descent to darkness did not suddenly occur in the third prequel but had been building all along.
Back to his mother for a moment and later Padme...when his mother died he killed ALL of the sand people. ALL. He killed mothers and children and innocent people because Anakin's love is wrapped up in rage and revenge...his love is terrible. The consequences to those who betray the loved ones of Anakin is terrible. That act, that massacre in the second prequel was an act of evil. A true Jedi would not have behaved that way. So it makes perfect sense that he would do whatever necessary to save Padme because he loved her, could not live without her. It was his wife that mattered to him, not principles, not rightness. Anakin was always like one who had learned the Jedi teachings but did not accept them in the deep part of his being.
Toward the end Obi Wan says to Anakin that he is lost...but a careful movie goer will realize that he was lost all along.