Obi-Wan Kenobi’s mini-series officially streamed in 2022 (same year Top Gun: Maverick came out) on Disney Plus. It received positive reviews from critics. As a Star Wars fan, I didn’t like it. Not one little bit. I haven’t watched a Star Wars series on Disney Plus since Obi-Wan. I got a lot of movies and shows on my plate. Ubisoft’s working on an open-world video game titled, Star Wars: Outlaws. The Acolyte will stream on June 4, 2024, only on Disney Plus. One more thing. “The Mandalorian” is getting a movie on May 22, 2026. Given Kathleen Kennedy’s been doing a sloppy job shepherding the franchise, I’m on the fence with every single project.
This review contains crucial SPOILERS. If you’re not caught up, read at your own risk.
Positive & Negative Stuff
Positive: Ewan McGregor reprises his role as the titular character. He did an excellent job for his performance. Ewan looked back at Alec Guinness’ work so he can match is voice as he did in the prequels.
James Earl Jones reprises his role as Darth Vader, yet he did a great job. Without George Lucas’ involvement, Hayden Christensen improved his acting chops. Don’t forget he wore Vader’s armor.
Newcomers to the franchise such as Indira Varma, Sung Kang, Kumail Nanjiani, O’Shea Jackson Jr. (Ice Cube’s son) & Maya Erskine all did a decent job for their respective performances.
Action Sequences were pretty good. Best one’s the rematch with Obi-Wan & Vader. Besides a lightsaber, the former’s talented with a blaster like that time he shot General Grievous.
Natalie Holt (Loki) orchestrated the soundtrack.
Set ten years after “Revenge of the Sith,” Obi-Wan’s forced to come out of retirement to protect Leia from The Empire. Along the way, he encounters new allies and foes.
Special Effects are a mix between Computer Animation and Practical Effects.
According to Deborah Chow, the mini-series is influenced by “Logan,” “The Proposition” and “The Assassination of Jesse James.”
Flea (Bassist from Red Hot Chili Peppers) & Zac Braff guest star in various episodes.
Negative: Without Jon Favreau’s input, Deborah Chow didn’t do a solid job as a showrunner.
Kathleen Kennedy’s involvement ruined it. She’s the equivalent of a vampire miserably eating garlic.
Although the mini-series focuses on Obi-Wan, Reva gets most of the attention. Hear me out, it’s not because Moses Ingram is a black woman, it’s because she steals the spotlight. You know, like Shia LeBeouf stealing Optimus Prime’s spotlight in Michael Bay’s “Transformers” series and Neil Patrick Harris hogging “The Smurfs” screentime. Cut Ms. Ingram some slack, she was cyberbullied by irresponsible assholes calling her racist names. Don’t blame the actress, blame Deborah and the bitch in charge, Kathleen Kennedy.
Reva’s the worst character since Holdo, Rey & Rose Tico all in one. Why? Because she’s arrogant, thinks she’s better than her fellow male villain, Grand Inquisitor and somehow manages to survive a fatal wound from Vader. I hate it when female characters depicted as know-it-alls who think they’re better than men. Reva’s not a strong female character, she’s portrayed as a stereotype and being downright offensive. I have no choice, but to Triple Down this flaw.
The Grand Inquisitor’s face in live action format looks like a cross between handsome Squidward and Stay Puft Marshmallow Man. Deborah wasted an opportunity to cast Jason Issacs reprising his role in “Star Wars: Rebels.”
I know she’s just a little girl, but I find kid Leia a little annoying. I have no beef towards Vivien Lyra Blair. She tried her best. Give the little tyke a breather.
There are a few flaws listed in all six parts. Scroll down to know why.
Part I
Alive: We open with a recap of The Prequel Trilogy to remind everybody how it sets up Anakin Skywalker’s turn to the Dark Side.
Obi-Wan buys a toy ship for Luke. A call-forward to A New Hope.
Owen’s quip, “Like you trained his father.” Became a household meme. BOOM! ROASTED!
Leia’s protocol droid’s named, Y-O. I thought it was pretty funny a droid after, “YO.”
Dead: Nothing bad.
Part II
Real: Temuera Morrison makes a cameo appearance as a homeless Clone Trooper from the 501st.
Obi-Wan and Leia have a conversation about Padme.
Fake: After Reva beats Grand Inquisitor, she claims she’s better than him. Not so subtle. In the words of Lisa Simpson in “The Simpsons” episode, “Co-Dependents’ Day.” “That character is just a tired stereotype.” To me, seeing female characters as arrogant know-it-alls who think they’re better than men is troubling and offensive at the same time.
Part III
Mighty: Vader lives in a throne in Mustafar. Also depicted in “Rouge One.”
Vader delivers a brutal kill via force choking a random bystander.
Obi-Wan has an awesome moment. He shoots a stormtrooper causing him to fall on a laser grid cutting him in half. “So, uncivilized.”
Obi-Wan & Leia meet, Tala. An imperial officer who turns on the Empire assisting the pair.
Zach Braff makes a cameo as an alien truck driver.
Weak: Although it’s an awesome image, with Vader staring at a flame, why didn’t he put the fire out from the get-go?
Part IV
Smart: Obi-Wan gets a cool moment, Deflecting shots back at stormtroopers.
Dumb: Reva continues to hog the screen.
An imperial officer slacks off ignoring Tala whispering on a comlink to Obi-Wan for directions to sneak inside an Empire base. What a dumbass.
Remember in The Empire Strikes Back when Leia senses Luke? Somehow, Leia can sense Reva. None of that shit ever happened during her childhood. Leia lacked the power to sense people in “A New Hope.”
I swear to God, there’s a ludicrous scene that reminds me of “Austin Powers in Goldmember.” You know the part where Austin & Mini-Me infiltrate Dr. Evil’s submarine wearing a disguise showing Mini-Me’s legs as he carries Austin? This time, Obi-Wan wears a coat while Leia is walking underneath him. Unlike Austin Powers, this scene is played seriously. What makes this scene sucks monkey balls? Many stormtroopers and imperial officers didn’t notice a little girl’s legs are visible. They’re not Dr. Evil’s incompetent henchmen, these are stormtroopers who hunt down Jedi!
Part V
Light: Vader gets two epic moments. He fights Reva and attempts to force pull a ship from escaping.
A flashback with in Coruscant with Obi-Wan & Anakin sparring with each other after the Battle of Geonosis.
I don’t give a rat’s ass about Reva. She’s irritating as fudge!
Dark: A Plot Twist reveals Reva was a Youngling during Order 66. It doesn’t excuse the fact she lacks redeeming qualities and less interesting. Deborah & Kathleen are trying too hard goading fans to like Reva. As if M. Night Shyamalan wrote this shit. Here’s a better twist, Chaz Bono (Cher’s son) used to be a woman!
A Plot Hole featuring a flashback during Order 66. Young Reva who manages to survive from being impaled by Anakin. A lightsaber can cut almost anything. Doesn’t make any gosh darn sense!
Part VI
Victory: The battle between Obi-Wan & Vader managed to put a grin on my face.
Obi-Wan greets Luke with these legendary words. “Hello there.” A nod to his first lines in A New Hope.
Liam Neeson makes a cameo appearance reprising his role as Qui-Gon Jinn.
Defeat: I couldn’t tell what the f’s going on between Obi-Wan & Vader’s duel. As if Michael Bay shot the episode.
The Empire miss every shot failing to stop a Rebel ship from escaping. Are they friggin’ blind like Stevie Wonder?
How the actual fudge did Reva survive her fight with Vader? There’s no logical explanation how she recovered. Qui-Gon dies getting stabbed by Darth Maul, but Reva unrealistically lives? Adding salt to the wound, Reva refuses to murder Luke and has a change of heart. I don’t give a shit about Reva. The six-part mini-series doesn’t revolve around her! Gonna have to Triple Down Points. Because she’s one of the worst Star Wars characters in history along with Rose Tico, General Holdo, Rey & Poe Dameron! At least Jar Jar had some good moments in The Prequel Trilogy. He’s no longer the worst character. I consider Rose as the worst character.
When Vader attempts to bury Obi-Wan alive, he didn’t get back at him saying “I have the high ground!” If I wrote the script for Part VI, I would’ve given Vader dialogue with this hilarious comeback. “Who has the high ground now, BIATCH!”
The Final Verdict: D-
I can’t believe I’m saying this, Obi-Wan Kenobi is worse than The Prequel Trilogy. From my point of view, the mini-series does not exist along with The Sequel Trilogy. If you’re a pure Star Wars fan, it’s gonna piss you off. If you wanna see a better sympathetic character set between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope, play the video games, “Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order” and its sequel, “Star Wars Jedi: Survivor.” I’m skeptical regarding the future of the franchise given Kathleen Kennedy’s treating the fans like trash, promoting misandry and refuses to acknowledge her accountability. I refuse to support an upcoming Rey trilogy. Again, I’m on the fence.
Nickthemoviecritic.com 