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merolaxes
Reviews
Obi-Wan Kenobi (2022)
Not the worst, far from the best
I recently watched Star Wars Episodes I-VI for the first time (no, I had never seen them before). Inevitably, I was interested in continuing the Star Wars series, and decided to give Obi-Wan Kenobi a watch... and was pretty disappointed.
Bad writing, as stated many times here, seems to be the biggest issue. So many things just didn't make any sense. From the beginning, Reva's character was irritatingly dry and over the top, with painfully annoying dialogue. I actually stopped watching the first episode partway through when she threatened to kill Owen; what a convenient coincidence that, of all people on the planet, she chooses to threaten him with Obi-Wan watching.
Convenience, rather than quality, seems to take priority in the storyline throughout the series.
If Reva is secretly motivated by her hatred for Vader, why is she so obsessed with pursuing Obi-Wan? Why does she interrogate Leia, when she clearly has no involvement with the rebellion or Obi-Wan (prior to the kidnapping)?
Reva isn't the only disappointing part of this series, unfortunately. Leia's inexplicable capability to outrun her captors, then later manages to evade Obi-Wan, and also manages to resist Reva's inquisition? It makes no sense, unless you're a writer looking for the fastest way to advance a plotline, rather than looking for the way that actually works.
Vader seems strangely forgiving also, which conflicts with his portrayal as an ultimate villain in the series. He seems to put up with Reva's failures far too much, despite his merciless reputation.
One of the worst parts, for me, is the end. Reva is defeated by Vader, after attempting to murder him (because she hates him for killing the younglings), but then takes another 180 degree turn and decides to hunt down Luke? For what?? She has no idea who he is, but just decides she wants to murder an unknown child? Not two minutes ago she was trying to get revenge on Vader, then she's suddenly bad again? Then, when she finally catches him (a child), she decides to spare him? IT MAKES NO SENSE.
Anyway, some engaging lightsaber battles and character progression of Obi-Wan, as well as acting from McGregor, manage to squeak out a 6/10 for me. The fight at the end of the series between Vader and Obi-Wan is pretty epic, though Obi-Wan's unexplained power is, again, a little too convenient.
The best part of the series is the rivalry between Obi-Wan and Vader, which seems like it should've been the focus all along. Reva and Leia seem to be pointless and empty writing, with no ultimate progression of the storyline or additions to the Star Wars universe.