A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away…. DISNEY had yet another Star Wars series for all the hungry fans to sink their teeth into. This one highlights the window of time between episodes 3 and 4 when the empire was fresh and at the height of power and the Jedi are mere memories.
If you aren’t a fan of the saga, then you probably won’t understand the hype behind the Obi-Wan Kenobi mini-series. I and many other long-time fans lost our collective minds when the adventures of Obi-Wan/Ben Kenobi would be explored further on-screen. As there is a 19-year gap between ‘Revenge of the Sith’ and ‘A new Hope’ there was a lot that could be explored here, but for the sake of Star Wars canon, the show would need to tread carefully. So, without spoiling too much because we’re nice like that, let’s see if Obi-Wan Kenobi is worth the watch!
The series starts 10 years after the events of Revenge of the Sith, with ex-Jedi Master Ben Kenobi working on the desert planet of Tatooine. Through his isolation, brought on for his own safety and that of the young boy Luke Skywalker who he has sworn to watch over, we see that the fall of the Jedi has had a toll on Ben. Although adjusting to the harshness of the planet and its people, he still lives in fear of his discovery and repeatedly turns away from those in need.
The state that we see this once proud and powerful Jedi master in is emotional, to say the least, and is carried incredibly by Ewan McGregor (Trainspotting/ Star Wars episodes 1, 2 and 3), who reprises his role as Obi-Wan/Ben.
The series as it moved forward aims to show that Obi-Wan didn’t walk away from the events of the last film unscathed. His anxiety and fear overwhelm him at times as he attempts to be the hero he once was. This leads to the main plot of the series, in which he is called away from his isolation to rescue a young Princess Leia (played by Vivien Lyra Blair).
This starts a chain reaction of events that brings in a host of characters played by some very big names such as Indira Varma (GOT), Sung Kang (Fast and Furious), and Moses Ingram (Ambulance) who gives a massively torn and emotional performance as Reva Sevander. One of the most exciting returning cast members, opposite McGregor, is Hayden Christensen (Jumper/ Star Wars episodes 2 and 3) who brings all the fear and strength that Darth Vader carries with him.
Spanning 7 planets that all boast different environments and serve the plot in different ways, as well as a familiar soundtrack that once again plays on nostalgia. The world of Star Wars has never looked or sounded better than here and now, truly capturing the magic that the saga is known for. The choreography brims with emotion and these emotions are enhanced by the performance of everyone involved.
As a fan of Star Wars, the prequels included, I was overjoyed to see McGregor and Christensen back on screen together. Through their performance especially you can see the chemistry the actors hold in their characters and the tragedy that is their relationship.
Throughout the series, it’s very clear that the writers had some fun crafting some characters and scenarios into the journey. Introducing moments of both humour and anxiety which ring of nostalgia from the prequels and bring some of the silliness that we saw in the sequel trilogy.
Although there were some moments that although in an attempt to create a scenario of stress, ended up just looking a bit ridiculous or silly. Obi-Wan takes fans on a journey with beloved characters and crafts a tale that many didn’t know they wanted to see. The series at multiple points wells with emotion from characters that many fans have come to love. This plays with the nostalgia and ultimately serves to also answer questions and cover holes that many people wanted to see filled. This does also backfire at times however and does complicate or not really explain some aspects for the sake of plot convenience.
Obi-Wan Kenobi serves as a solid form of fan service to lovers of the prequels and of the Star Wars saga as a whole. Although it can be a roller-coaster at times, this series ultimately tells a story of how a fallen knight finds his way again through the actions of others. A separate story of how tragedy need not be repeated for the sake of revenge, and that some people regardless of trauma can find their way again. If you haven’t found yourself in this neck of the galaxy, I can’t recommend the series enough. This wouldn’t be a good place to jump into Star Wars for any newcomers, but that’s just an excuse to watch more! All 6 episodes are streaming now on Disney Plus, so stick that robe on the coat hook and get comfy because this tale is truly binge-worthy for any Star Wars fan.
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