No, they were NOT children's films...at least not at that point. Yes, they were aimed at young people, but prior to ROTJ, that meant the under 30 crowd. In those days (with a few exceptions), only Disney made movies for children.
Its just part of the trap, if Luke is “not as the strong as the Emperor expected,” he’ll be frozen, if not then no need. Vader shifts his disposition when he says, “don’t make me destroy you.” By then its “join us or die.”
Wouldn’t Luke be able to deflect the stun gun’s beam with the palm of his hand (or by using his light saber) the same way Vader deflected Han’s laser fire? “Don’t underestimate the Force.” Even if they manage to knock out the son of Skywalker, he could recover sooner than expected, escape his shackles and imprisonments, and wreak havoc. This is the safer way.
