Star Wars: Obi-Wan Kenobi:
The Complete First Season
review by Bobby Blakey
Marvel Studios and Lucasfilm have been bringing a variety of new programming to Disney+ since its launch in 2019. Sadly, none of these shows were being released to physical media and could only be seen via the streaming service until 2023 when they dropped Loki Season 1, WandaVision and the first two seasons of The Mandalorian on 4K and Blu-ray. Now they are giving fans more of what they want with more new releases including Star Wars: Obi-Wan Kenobi The Complete First Season on 4K and Blu-ray.
Star Wars: Obi-Wan Kenobi follows 10 years after the dramatic events of Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith where Obi-Wan Kenobi faced his greatest defeat—the downfall and corruption of his best friend and Jedi apprentice, Anakin Skywalker, who turned to the dark side as evil Sith Lord Darth Vader. Ewan McGregor and Hayden Christianson re-unite as both Obi-Wan and Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader respectfully along with Moses Ingram, Vivien Lyra Blair, Sung Kang, Rupert Friend, James Earl Jones, Kumail Nanjiani, O’Shea Jackson Jr, Indira Varma, and Jimmy Smits.
Of all the Star Wars TV projects this is the one I was most excited for. Getting to revisit McGregor in the role along with getting to see some of those mysterious times before a New Hope had endless possibilities. This also brought back Christianson which for me was further reason to dive into this epic new adventure. The story has its ups and downs, but they go all in to take fans back to the world we loved.
The initial set up is fine, offering a look at Kenobi as he has left the world of the Jedi behind. This is a bit of a slow pace as it is trying to bring everything to the forefront but is one that is worth it as we build to the ultimate end. The
addition of the young Leia was a surprise and while fun not sure was the right direction. I ended up enjoying more than I thought I might but felt more like fan service as opposed to necessity in the story. There are some other characters that are entertaining, but kind of pointless but thankfully they don’t take up too much of the time.
That aside, the series offers up some fun new directions and bounces into some flashbacks connecting it back to the prequels that made it all the more awesome. For all the hate the prequels got and still get today, the importance of the character journeys is fully embracing that trilogy and adding to it in a great way. The second half of the season kicks some butt as we get to see the two past friends and now mortal enemies face off numerous times. The main finale battle is epic and easily one of my favorite that they have ever put together.
I will say that knowing what we know about the story does take some away from the level of danger of all involved since we already know what happens to them. Thankfully they crafted it in a way that you still care and hope to see more.
In addition to all 6 episodes of the season, this release offers up bonus content including commentary and featurettes on bringing the iconic Jedi and Sith back to the screen. Witness the return of the jedi when Star War: Obi-Wan Kenobi The Complete First Season hits 4K and Blu-ray on April 30th from Lucasfilm.
