‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’: Part 1 Review
by Frank Martin
In the realm of fiction it’s rare to find a property like Star Wars. It’s not just that it’s popular and expansive. It’s that fans have built a relationship with these characters over the course of decades. Their stories have been fleshed out in the time span of actual lives. Their names have been cemented in pop culture. And yet, there is still so much about their journey that remains a mystery. Through two separate sets of trilogies decades apart, fans have gotten familiar with both the elderly, wise Kenobi, and the young, bold Kenobi. But there’s a time period that connects these two phases of his life that’s uncertain. And creating a show around it is exactly what fans have been seeking.
It also reveals a new side of Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) that we haven’t seen before. He’s demoralized, downtrodden, and pretty much out of shape. In many ways, it’s similar to the crisis of conscience Luke Skywalker went through in The Last Jedi. Obi-Wan is disillusioned with his ability to confront the Empire and rightfully so. His entire way of life, the existence and Order he had given so much to is no more. Anyone would feel the way he does at the start of the series, and that’s why the Inquisitors make for a perfect antagonist.
The Inquisitors are hunters and hunting Obi-Wan when he’s at his lowest point is adding insult to injury. On the technical side, however, seeing the Inquisitors in live action isn’t quite living up to the moment. They are most famous for being animated characters, and their costumes and makeup don’t seem up to par with what fans have seen from Star Wars shows in the past. Though seeing a young princess Leia (Vivien Lyra Blair) in action definitely makes up for it. The first episode is just a start to get fans reacquainted with these characters and get their bearings for this time period. If it’s any indication of what else is in store then it might be the best Disney+ show yet.
Obi-Wan Kenobi is now streaming on Disney+.
