What did we think of the Disney+ series? Click to find out!
Hey everyone,
Welcome back to the lab,
As the title says, this will be a spoiler filled review for the Obi-Wan Kenobi Series on Disney+, if you haven't seen it yet, look away now.
So, there we have it.
After years of waiting, from it being a film to a six part TV Series, we have finally watched all of Obi-Wan Kenobi Series 1 on Disney+. This has been a long time coming for fans around the world and it's fair to say the opinions have been mixed. Some have loved it, whilst some not so much. So what did The Review Lab think?
Honestly.
I Loved It. Truly loved every second of it.
That's not to say the series doesn't have some improvements it could have made, however when i think of the series as a whole, it very well may be one of my favourite pieces of star wars ever. I know that is a big statement to make, but let me try and explain.
I grew up around the era of the prequels, I remember seeing episodes 1 and 2 in cinemas vaguely when i was little. I remember to this day seeing Episode 3 in the cinema with my dad like it was yesterday. Seeing Anakin become Darth Vader, Obi-Wan battling Anakin on the Mustafar System. John Williams' thrilling score behind it. It was amazing. To this day, episode 3 is in my top 2 Star Wars films and I will happily talk about my love for the prequels. So to say I had high hopes coming into this series is an understatement.
It was delivered. Look at the story. The story focuses on a broken Obi-Wan on Tatooine protecting Luke and also using this almost as an excuse to run away from his demons. He’s a broken man, disconnected from the force and in hiding. Even when they introduce Leia as a child and have her kidnapped it’s still not enough for him to intervene straight away. Over the course of the six episodes we see him having to deal with his past, learn that Anakin is still alive and face his former friend. As stories go, this is what I wanted to see. It delivered on the emotional aspects whilst still bringing surprises along the way. Yes there were times it could have focused more on the inquisitors (I swear three just disappear), but as a core story, it had it all there. For me anyway. It had stakes, emotion, thrilling set pieces and characters.
I do understand people saying they felt like there weren't big enough stakes, for a show where we know the main characters will survive, people wanted big challenges for the characters. I get that and to a point I agree. Yet for me, the thing I wanted to see most was seeing the journey Obi-Wan went on from being a broken faithless man to the Obi-Wan we know and love and I got that. I won’t lie, I did expect and even want some more clone wars flashbacks which was a shame but i also understand why they didn't do it.
Some people will say the story was ruined by the direction and its choices. I completely get that point and understand why. The use of the shaky cam was annoying at points and not always needed however as much as it was a pain I wouldn't say it was bad enough to take away from the enjoyment of the show, i think we need to look away from these things sometimes and enjoy something for what it is. I will say, except for the shaky cam, I do feel the overall direction was superb.
I need to talk about the casting, in particular, Ewan McGregor. I cannot stress how great he is in this series. Ewan has always been outstanding as Obi-Wan, yet in this he brings it to a whole new level. He takes each line and treats it with such care and emotion you would think he was performing shakespeare. You can see he cares about this character a lot and that really comes across on screen. His performance in Episode 6 gave me goosebumps and I’m not ashamed to admit it also made me cry.
I also want to talk about Moses Ingram and Hayden Christensen. For one can i say, Moses was So so good as Reva, i hated the character sure, but that shows how great she did in her performance. We weren't meant to like her character, as an actress though, she is fantastic. She is an actress that is going to make it big time and I cannot wait to see what she does next. As for Hayden Christensen, I’m so happy he got another chance to play these roles again. I feel that he does a good job in the prequels, it's just the material wasn't amazing. In this, he’s great. I will say I wanted more of him as Anakin rather than just episode 5, but what we did get was very good.
Now I can't talk about this series without talking about some of my favourite moments, there are a lot. From Vader and Obi-Wan's first battle to Vader holding the ship in episode 5 and fighting Reva. I have a lot of moments I loved, but if i had to pick, it would be Vader and Kenobi battle in episode 6. Whilst the Mustafar battle was a spectacle, which I loved, this was the opposite and yet still just as strong. Watching Obi-Wan become the Jedi we have loved towards the end was so satisfying and Ewan’s performance when he sees Anakin under the mask was chilling. I do think Episodes 5 & 6 are some of the strongest Star Wars episodes Disney has done. Episode 6 being my favourite.
There is another moment I think should be spoken about more too, it comes at the end of the Kenobi and Vader battle in episode 6. As we saw the battle culminates with Obi-Wan striking Vader damaging his helmet showing a part of his face. This was followed by an emotional conversation between Kenobi and his former apprentice. Kenobi apologises for everything, McGregor showing how he is a pro of his craft. Then Vader speaks to Obi saying “I am not your failure, Obi-Wan. You didn’t kill Anakin Skywalker”. What I loved about this in particular was that for this line, the blue light of Obi-Wan’s sabre shone on Vader's face. Almost as if it was Anakin breaking through for the last time. This then was followed by the quote “I Did” with the light changing from blue to red, as if Anakin is truly dead and Darth Vader reigns supreme. Its a subtle moment, but a fantastic one.
Coming into this series I wanted it to remind me why I loved the prequels, give me a sense of nostalgia whilst gripping me in a story that would make me want to rewatch it as soon as it was finished and hope for more. I wanted the story to give me 6 episodes of pure escapism which not only did it achieve, but reminded me that the pure escapism is why I love Star Wars so much. I loved this show, I really really hope we see more of Obi-Wan. If we don’t though, I will still be very pleased with what we got.
Now I understand not everyone will have the same opinion as me, some may even think everything i have written is wrong and that i’m wrong. That's okay, everyone is allowed their opinion but one thing I do ask is that we remember that. It’s opinions, I’m not here saying that what i write is fact, I’m saying these are my opinions. I just think for people out there, that needs reminding.
I think nowadays it's easy to look at a review like this, or from big high profile people and companies, or even a friend's opinion and let that determine our outlook even if we don't agree. Don’t let that happen, if you enjoyed this, good for you! If you didn’t then i hope the next series is up your street!
End of the day we want to be able to talk about these things as we enjoy them and have discussions in a safe and friendly manner, and that is what The Review Lab is all about.
I want to hear what you thought?! Did you enjoy the series as much as me? Did you think the opposite, please get in touch and let us know.
Until the next time,
May The Force Be With You
Harry x