ROTS will always be a great movie for many reasons. Great action, character development and everything we love about SW. It does end on a downer, but we knew it had to happen to set up the wonderful OT. My wife, who absolutely loves SW (not a freak like me) has only seen ROTS twice and that is enough for her. She can't understand why I keep watching it. When she asks me why, I always say, "it's a new SW film and it is great." Deep down I knew it was something more.

Watching Anakin transform into the monster he becomes is wonderful cinema. I have seen a lot of people empathizing for Anakin and who wouldn't. His family, the only family he knew of was, in his mind, going away and he was going to be alone. Alone again. Think of your own family. I have a wife and one son. I can't possibly even conceive life without either of them. Would I sell my soul to the devil like Anakin did? No, I would hope not, but we at least understand his motivations now. That being said, doing evil deeds (sin is such an easier way to say that despite your religious orientation) is still a choice Vader made. Deep down, Anakin could have at any time turned away from the path he was on. Why do I know this? Luke did it. He WAS his father in every sense of the word after he went Berserker and chopped off Vader's hand. He didn't stay there long though and threw his weapon away perfectly accepting death if that is what it would take to stay away from the Dark Side. Even closer to home, I eventually turned away just like Luke did.

Okay, none of that is new information. One of my favorite scenes in ROTS is the scene when Obi-Wan reveals to Padme what Anakin has become. The music is great and the acting is superb. Why do I say that? I've seen that look on Padme's face before. She just learned that her husband, her soul mate, was following the path of destruction, sinning against everyone he knows and himself. She suspected something was different about him, but the utter shock of hearing what her husband DID and is DOING broke her heart. I've seen that look on Padme's face before because I've seen it in my own wife's face.

Okay, DarthRex0, where the heck are you going with this? Well, I've been married almost 9 years now, and about 5 years ago, I hurt my wife in the same way. No, it wasn't cheating, drugs, or abuse, but I broke her heart just the same. That is why I identify with ROTS so much. I WAS Anakin to a certain degree. Sinning against my family and friends. I was lying to everyone and trying to keep some things hidden from my wife for almost 2 years. Then there was that Padme moment, when everything got over my head and she found out EVERYTHING.

Let me add now, that my wife stuck with me and our marriage is stronger then it has ever been before. We have a beautiful 2-year-old son and I couldn't be happier with how things have worked out. And it was work. Healing took time, and building trust is an everyday process, but it won't happen again. I won't fear being transparent and sharing everything with my wife again. Just like it took Anakin his son believing in him, it took my wife believing in me. Redemption is not only possible, it can happen. We saw it and SW and I've lived it. Now remember, wounds heal, but they still scar and my marriage will carry that scar forever. Proudly I might add. We have learned so much about each other and like I already mentioned, our marriage couldn't be stronger.

Now, let me bring this back to SW. Anakin was trying to justify to himself the things he was doing. I did the same thing, but I still made the choice to sin. Anakin still had the choice. Feel sorry for him, but remember he was that evil man in the dark suit. I love watching ROTS, not because it reminds me of that dark time in my life, but because it reminds me how much STRONGER I am now. Plus, after watching ROTS, go put in the throne room scene of ROTJ. Perfect movie making and we see the REDEMPTION of Anakin. When the helmet is removed, the scars are still there, but there is healing.

Why am I sharing this story? Is it so you will think different of me? No, and I hope you don't think less of me anyway. Is it therapy? It might be, but I don't mind looking back. It makes me realize how far I've come and how much better of a person I am today. It motivates to move forward. Who knows, it might even give you a different perspective on ROTS.

I think SW as a whole is a life story. Good person to bad person back to good person. That is life.

Happy blogging and keep the peace my friends.