'Star Wars': Whether as Darth Vader or a Jedi Knight, Anakin has always been the greatest Skywalker of all
The 'Star Wars' franchise is almost synonymous with the Skywalker name and now that this monumental saga is coming to an end, it's time to look back on the history of the Skywalker family and the one figure in the entirety of 'Star Wars' who stands taller than the franchise itself. He's a master of the Force, a man of unparalleled greatness both as a Sith and a Jedi, a being whose very birth was foretold centuries in advance. He is Anakin Skywalker, better known to the world as Darth Vader.
Vader's popularity is so massive that you don't even have to be a 'Star Wars' fan to recognize his iconic image. Sure, he might not always have been a hero but that doesn't make him any less of a great character.
When compared to other members of his family, Anakin immediately stands out as easily the best of them all. But then again, considering he was literally born of the Force and anointed as the Chosen One who would save the galaxy, Anakin was always destined for greatness.
Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) may have been the hero of the original trilogy but in all honesty, he was never even one of the top three coolest characters in the franchise. His sister Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher) was arguably more interesting than Luke and at the end of the day, we actually loved R2-D2 more than the younger Skywalker though the droid doesn't even speak in the traditional fashion.
But Anakin's coolness has never been in question. He was a spectacular villain in the original trilogy, a troubled warrior during the prequel trilogy, and a decorated hero during 'Star Wars: The Clone Wars'. Plus, fans who have read the 'Star Wars' comics would know that Vader has had more amazing stories off the screen than on it.
He might not have been one of the good guys all the time. He was certainly not a great father at any time. But while he may have fallen further than anyone else in his family, no Skywalker has achieved more greatness than Anakin Skywalker.
The story of the Skywalkers ends in 'Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker' coming to theaters on December 20.
