Obi-Wan Kenobi Review: Was it Worth the 17 Year Wait?
“What Star Wars fan couldn’t adore this series?”
For nearly two decades fans have yearned for a solo Obi-Wan Kenobi outing. Well, Lucasfilm and Disney’s partnership finally brought it to life in the shape of this six-part limited series. Does it deliver? Is it what fans deserved? Overall, are we satisfied? Let’s look into this.
The story takes us 10 years after the events of Revenge of the Sith, with a slightly more aged Kenobi living in exile and watching over a young Luke Skywalker from afar. It isn’t until Luke’s secret twin sister, Leia, is taken captive that the old Jedi Master is called upon to find and return the young princess home. This, of course, puts him in the cross hairs of the empire, especially an Inquisitor with an axe (or lightsaber if you like) to grind, and an old friend-turned-enemy who Kenobi thought long dead.
First things first, it’s amazing to have Ewan McGregor back in his most iconic role. It appears to be like riding a bike for the actor as returns to portray Kenobi. He plays the character as broken and almost helpless when we first meet him again, but by the series continues and eventually ends, he is a tad closer to Alec Guinness’ portrayal in A New Hope. The only downfall is the slight drop of the accent here and there, but it is covered enough for us to enjoy the character’s return.
Moses Ingram gives us a new type of Star Wars villain as Reva/Third Sister, and it’s refreshing. Menacing, driven and unpredictable, she takes holds of every scene she is in and takes control. As her motives become more clear of the six episodes, we only grow to find the character more and more interesting. We also have sure-to-be future star Vivien Lyra Blair who portrays a 10-year-old Leia Organa. As pretty much the co-lead of the series, Blair shows that even at such a young age, she has the acting chops to keep up with McGregor. She captures the presence and character of a young Leia perfectly. You get a great understanding of the young woman who will go on to lead The Rebellion.
We of course have a pitter patter of old faces from the prequels returning to help in bridging the continuity of the series, such as Jimmy Smits as Bail Organa. Then there’s also some of the new faces who pop up. This includes Kumail Nanjiani and Indira Varma. These two in particular help to add something to the story and give it a new angle. Sprinkling of comedy and espionage help to keep this series light and exciting.
Then there is the granddaddy of returns in Hayden Christensen as Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader. It’s great to see the actor back in the role, and in more ways than one. Christensen helps to bring a new layer to Vader in his prime and also helps to bring in some of the most heartbreaking moments of the series. The only downfall is that Christensen wasn’t the only actor in the Vader suit whilst filming. Though it’s a cool easter egg having him in the Vader suit, but there are other actors filling the role. When can we get excited about him being behind the mask if we aren’t sure it’s him? Of course, this will be down to stunt and tech purposes, but the point still stands.
When it comes to the plot, it truly is a story told squarely from Kenobi’s perspective as we follow him in trying to become more of the Jedi he was a decade earlier. We see the character fleshed out like never before and everything doubles down in terms of bridging the films of the prequels and originals. To expand on that, the story ensures that there are no plot holes by the time the final scene rolls. No stone is left unturned thankfully, and we’re left with explanations for goings on in A New Hope when we meet some of these characters again. It’s also thrilling to get new looks at characters we thought we knew so well. Obi-Wan in deep depression. An infant Leia. A ferocious Vader. The story ensures these characters aren’t wasted in this never-before explored time period.
We also can’t knock back the various callbacks and easter eggs littered throughout the series. Thankfully, the series doesn’t act as a full on easter egg hunt and is very light on how in your face they are. We can’t complain about the ones that are front and centre though. They’re sure to make any hardcore Star Wars fan squeal in excitement.
The only downside for the story is how slow the show can be in parts. Every show has it’s slow moments, we get that. Every story needs to build up and develop. But in a six-episode limited series, about a character everyone has been dying to see again for too long…more could have been done really. Episodes two and four are prime examples.
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We now turn to director Deborah Chow who helmed all six parts of the series. Chow does her utmost to give us a universe we’re familiar with whilst not being afraid to take Kenobi into new territory here and there. she also perfectly blends the looks and feel of the prequels and originals. From set/character design to lightsaber duels, we are in the middle of the crossover between these two trilogies and it’s done with precision. It feels like a perfect continuation from one into the other. The only note that Chow should have been given? Some of the technology and CGI could be sloppy from time to time. Namely some de-aging moments. A bit more effort on a particular flashback scene would have made it pretty much one of the best scenes in the series.
The fans have cried out for an Obi-Wan story for almost two decades and this is the answer. We get a closer look at what Kenobi has been up to and how he fits into the world during the reign of the Empire – he’s a man who doesn’t want to be found, but who is needed by all. it’s a story in the Star Wars universe that was necessary for fans to see. It’s important for fans to see those missing years of Obi-Wan’s exile.
All in all, what Star Wars fan couldn’t adore this series? The show gives us answers to goings on between two trilogy in the Skywalker Saga, containing a cast that is on point with lead actors that give amazing performances and carry the story effortlessly. It’s a perfect era of two eras in Star Wars lore.
The plot could have been improved from time to time, and there could have been more excitement here and there considering how long fans have waited. But, the series still holds up quite well. If we get a second season, we just need each episode to be 10 out of 10 really.
The series gets an 8.8/10 from us.
Obi-Wan Kenobi is available to stream on Disney+ now.