There are a few moments in ROTS where I'm struck by something that is quite small, yet perhaps poignant or emotional. I'm sure others have their own, but here's a few examples, and this thread is not for bashing or complaining, just a wishlist of some of our favorite things that didn't get as much depth as we would've liked due to the 2 hour length SW films come in at.


1) ANAKIN'S FEAR OF GRIEVOUS DEFEATING OBI-WAN
"I should be there with him" = one of my fave unsung lines in the film. It's as if Anakin is realizing that the Jedi are being assclowns, leaving ObiWan in danger, all for the sake of having Anakin around to manipulate and be their bitch.

I would've elaborated on that scene as follows:

PALPY: We can only hope he is up to the challenge.
ANI: I should be there with him.
PALPY: I know, Anakin. It's upsetting to me, that the Council weighs keeping an eye on me a heavier priority than Master Kenobi's safety. I know how much he means to you.
ANI: He's become my brother.
PALPY: A pity. Grievous would have been no match for the two of you. Could you imagine, if Master Kenobi were to be defeated in the final battle of the Clone Wars? Hmm. If only they trusted you, Anakin.

And then continue w/ scene as normal.

2) ANAKIN'S BETRAYAL OF THE JEDI IN REGARDS TO OBI-WAN
Anakin's animosity towards the Jedi is pretty deep and understandable. By the time he cuts off Mace's hand, he's long been at odds with a lot of the Jedi's codes and philosophies. But I find it hard to believe he'd turn on Obi-Wan so quickly, and Hayden does a good job of showing his remorse in the pledging-to-Palpy scene. But I would've liked a little more, in particular, I'd like to see Palpy stir up Anakin's temper a little bit more before he goes off and hacks up some Jedi.

ANI: What about the other Jedi spread across the galaxy?
PALPY: Their betrayal will be dealt with.
ANI: What about Obi-Wan? The Jedi would have never trusted him in their plot, they know he is too close to me. Perhaps he has remained loyal to the Republic -
PALPY: They didn't tell you, did they, my apprentice?
ANI: What?
PALPY: After defeating General Grievous, Master Kenobi was injured in battle. Fatally.
ANI: He's dead.
PALPY: I'm so sorry, son. (Anakin tears up, and puts on his awesome "me so angry" face)

Obi-Wan's whereabouts and well-being play a very small role in Anakin's turn in EIII, I wish they had been highlighted just a tidbit more. And I'm always a fan of Palpy lying to Anakin. By the time Anakin finds out the truth, he's already Vader.

3) WHERE'S MY DAMN APPRENTICE?
This one's pretty simple. Obi-Wan should ask where the whereabouts of Anakin when he asks Yoda and Bail if any other Jedi are still alive and kicking.

4) ANAKIN'S POINT OF VIEW: WHY THE JEDI ARE EVIL
"From my point of view, the Jedi are evil." I think a lot of audience members might have been thinking "why", and while I applaud Lucas for by and large avoiding on the nose, explicit explanations of Anakin's inner conflict and using Hayden's acting instead, here's a place where he could be a little less implicit. In particular, I would've liked to see Anakin express the fact that he holds the Jedi responsible for his mother's death, and for Padme's impending doom.


Anyone else have any similar moments?

While I agree almost whole-heartedly with the way things played out in the film in comparison to the novel (With the exception of a few cut scenes), the book did contain a line I wish was left in. Just before Mace goes in for the kill, he says to Anakin, "He's too dangerous to be left alive. If you could have taken Dooku alive, would you have?" Anakin insists that his killing Dooku was different and Mace says he can explain the difference after he's dead.

Dooku's death was essentially swept under the carpet for the rest of the film after the opening space battle. But I liked that bit of dialogue between Mace and Anakin contrasting Anakin's murder of Dooku and Mace's attempted murder of Sidious.

Good point. They do really downplay Anakin's killing of Dooku. It's odd, b/c by ROTJ Emperor's standards, he already would've turned to the dark side at that point! It is a crucial moment in the film, we see that Anakin has cold blooded murder in him (for the second time in the trilogy), and more importantly, we see that Palpatine has the power to control him, and that Anakin wants the power that Palpy offers him. I too really liked that line from the novel, and indeed I also rarely prefer anything in the novel over the book.