Obi-Wan Kenobi part 1 review: Evan McGregor's series relies heavily on Star Wars nostalgia

3/5

Story:

Anakin and Padme's son Luke Skywalker is living in a village with the Jawa. Obi-Wan Kenobi, who is soon going to turn his master, keeps an eye out for him. Luke's sister Leia, on the other hand, gets kidnapped and Obi-Wan is tasked with saving her while protecting himself from the hands of the Sith. He also discovers the truth - that his apprentice Anakin is still alive and has become Darth Vader, the one with the dark, once again. This time, in fact, Darth Vader is stronger than ever because he has revenge on his mind.

Review:

Obi-Wan Kenobi is the man who is at the centre of Star Wars. He is the link between Luke and Anakin Skywalker (Darth Vader). Thus, the makers have also introduced the series in the iconic Star Wars way.

Scenes from the original films are replayed at the beginning of the series which bring nostalgia to all Star Wars lovers.

Obi-Wan Kenobi has a beginning that is sure to confuse you. It takes you into the world of stormtroopers but fails to give a deep context into why is the scene relevant. Finally, a context does come through. We are taken to young Skywalker's village, where the Jawa are in abundance.

The first moment you see the lightsaber, it is sure to bring back memories from the iconic franchise films and shows. The Sith are here and you already know you are going to meet their general, Darth Vader, soon.

Obi-Wan (Evan McGregor) finally appears and it is not in all his glory, at least not in the beginning. He does have a few moments but even they are fleeting moments and so, the first part simply gives you a glimpse of what is to come.

The visuals in the series, like you would already have expected, steal the show. The cinematography is on point too.

Finally, all the awesome moments between Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker and everyone around them comes back in flashes. Obi-Wan, who is soon to be Luke's master, remembers his own master who he lost in a fight with Death Maul. Star Wars is known for the heartwarming relationship between the masters and their jedi and so, this scene steals your heart.

Obi-Wan discovers Luke and thereon, the real thrill begins. You hear the name Ben in a long time and all the nostalgia creeps in - of the time when the Sith appeared to be ruling over the galaxy briefly and all the Jedi would stay hidden to save themselves.

Leia's story is explored too and she brings a lighter atmosphere to the otherwise intense story. She is very sure of herself even from a young age, which stays true to the Leia we know and loved through the films.

Owen Lars is back too and retains the authenticity we saw in Luke's adopted father in the Star Wars movies. His is a brief appearance but tells us about his character nonetheless.

After much resistance, Obi-Wan does get back in action. It takes a whole episode for that to happen. His action is brief but much-awaited.

Kumail Nanjiana comes in as a fake Jedi named Haja. He looks hilarious but is quite the deal.

Moses Ingram as third sister Reva steals the show. However, at this given point, it simply appears that the makers wanted a black woman on their show to prove they are progressive. Not that we are complaining but she only appears to be given a role not to fit in with the other Sith. Dialogues like calling her garbage only prove that she was in the show just for the sake of promoting black women.

The stormtroopers are back and we get to know that Leia had a history with them even before the first scene in the first Star Wars film. Obi-Wan tries to steal the show but his own resistance puts a stop to how much he can amaze us.

The action in this series is unbelievable and not in the good sense. Kenobi is fighting the bounty hunters on a terracetop, when Leia jumps off the roof. He saves her and nobody takes a shot and somehow, Obi-Wan successfully comes back to Leia after saving her with his Jedi powers. Having powers is one thing but taking the viewers for granted is another, which the scene does.

Obi-Wan realizes his apprentice Anakin is alive and back, stronger than ever. Evan McGregor's expressions upon actually grasping that makes for the end of part 1. It promises something but we are yet to see the real action.

Verdict:

Director Deborah Chow did a fair job in bringing forth what Obi-Wan Kenobi can offer. The problem with the first part of the series is that it relies heavily on Star Wars nostalgia which we love but there's so much more about Kenobi that we would want to explore.

Of course, since these are just the first two episodes, keeping all expectations with this one would be kind of unfair. Start watching the series if you want to know about young Leia and a heartbroken Obi-Wan Kenobi who is trying to keep it together and just survive.