Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10
Cast: Ewan McGregor, Moses Ingram, Vivien Lyre Blair, Hayden Christensen, Rupert Friend, James Earl Jones, Kumail Nanjiani, O’Shea Jackson Jr., Indira Varma, Marisé Álvarez, Maya Erskine, Jimmy Smits, Grant Feely, Flea, Joel Edgerton, Bonnie Piesse, Simone Kessell, Ian McDiarmid, Anthony Daniels, Liam Neeson.
Ewan McGregor’s time as Obi-Wan Kenobi always seemed short and one that arguably carried, alongside Ian McDiarmid as Emperor Palpatine, the prequel trio of films that framed the Star Wars franchise to a place where the maligned nature and often heavy-handed criticism is thankfully overlooked.
Whilst there were elements of the prequels that needed addressing, that required a sharper eye to dismiss what was little more than filler in some regards, and downright insulting in others, Ewan McGregor captured the joy and love for the franchise with respect and sincerity, and whilst Hayden Christensen was universally badly treated, he was almost facing a no win scenario in taking on the mantle of one of cinema’s greatest ever villains before the character donned the jet black robe and mechanised limbs of Darth Vader.
The six-part Disney backed series Obi-Wan Kenobi does much to address the issues of the three prequels, indeed such is the operatic dynasty feel that seeps out of every dark shot, every light-sabre rattling scene, and every reveal worthy of the Star Wars name, that it could be considered that the series, along with The Mandalorian, is the one the fans deserved and is far superior to almost anything since the original three film release that dominated cinema in the late 70s and early 80s.
Finding space in the cannon to shoehorn in a story regarding the Jedi and his once former pupil is one that has been taken seriously by the producers and writers of the series, and it is with love for the two characters, of Kenobi and Vader that the hoped-for re-appearance is turned into scintillating reality, and with superb live action additions such as Moses Ingram as Inquisitor Reva, Indira Varma as Tala Durith, Kumail Nanjiani as Haja, and the returning Joel Edgerton as the young Luke Skywalker’s Uncle Owen adding spice and continuality to the proceedings, Obi-Wan Kenobi is theatre transferred to the small screen, it is majesty where pomp was not expected, and it is one of the great essences of the series as a whole that grabs the viewer wholeheartedly and without exception.
If there is a second series of Obi-Wan Kenobi then the fans will have spoken and the studio will have listened; however it will take a story of phenomenal intensity to match this believed one shot story line.
Two of the greatest characters to have part of the seismic history of Star Wars return, and it was about time.
Ian D. Hall