Disney Plus new Star Wars series Obi-Wan Kenobi debuted on the streaming platform just a few hours ago. The sci-fi drama released two episodes on D+ and the following 4 episodes are going to release weekly. All the episodes have been directed by Deborah Chow and the show is basically a Midquel, placed between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope unlike Mandalorian, Book of Boba Fett, or Ahsoka. We have prepared a short review for the first two episodes of Obi-Wan Kenobi and here it is.
WARNING: The following article contains mild spoilers to the plot.
Rating – ★★★
Obi-Wan Kenobi Review
The show is a generic sci-fi adventure at its best. The first episode is deliberately paced and low on action unlike The Mandalorian, which is heavy on the spectacle set pieces from the start. The show however picks up towards the end of the first episode and the second episode is overall better but not great. Although it ends with an interesting cliff-hanger, the direction leaves a lot to be desired from Deborah Chow. The writing at times feels very contrived and weak.
Coming to the basic plot of the first two episodes, Obi-Wan is living in hiding on Tatooine, and just like Mando he’s tasked with a mission to rescue the little Princess Leia, who exhibits words of wisdom beyond her age and has been kidnapped from her home planet. The show also introduces the antagonists called Inquisitors in their live-action debut, who were mostly former Jedi that fell to the dark side aftermath of order 66, and are hunting down the leftover Jedi. Reva, who’s part of the Grand Inquisitor team is quite vengeful and seeks to hunt and kill Obi-Wan. She gets into a troublesome argument with her teammates and leader known as Grand Inquisitor due to her obsession with Kenobi.
McGregor Shines An Subpar Premiere
Ewan McGregor breathes life into the character of Kenobi that he last portrayed nearly two decades ago. His long stares and sombre expressions explain the inner conflict Kenobi is feeling while trying to stay low and guard Luke on the remote planet Tatooine until the time arises to train him. The show shines in the visuals department and gives a brief respite to the Star Wars series.
First episode mostly takes place in the desert aka western setting just like Mandalorian or TBOBF, but episode 2 has been set on the planet Daiyu, which seems to be heavily inspired from flashy nights of Tokyo. From what we’ve heard, rest of the series will take viewers to different locations, just like episode 2 did. Apart from Ewan McGregor, Vivien Lyra Blair who plays Leia Organa is also really fantastic as the little headstrong princess. Her chemistry with Ewan is particularly amazing. She steals the show with her exchanges and lines, which were inherently funny and the only comic respite in a show which has a rather serious tone.
My Final Take
The first two episodes of Obi-Wan were up to fine start despite a few too many flaws in writing and direction. The success of this show depends on how it picks up in the next episodes and whether or not it proves to be worthy of being based on one of the greatest Star Wars characters. Fans and viewers who adore Star Wars or the science-fiction genre in general can give this show a shot.
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