Obi-Wan Kenobi: my review

I just finished watching Obi-Wan Kenobi.

SPOILER ALERT

I didn't hate it.

I really liked the bits between Obi-Wan and Vader. Those were easily the best bits. I liked how damaged and weak Obi-Wan was at the beginning, sort of torturing himself because he thought he had killed Anakin. He could still fight, but he was 10 years out of practice, and it showed. It was maybe a little bit too easy that he suddenly came back to full power after Vader took responsibility for having killed Anakin.

I liked how Vader was just a man-child who wanted to hurt people, especially Obi-Wan, because he'd been hurt. I never really liked Anakin in any of the prequel films, but I like that he was consistent with whinny prequel-Anakin who always blames other people for his problems. Then it was interesting to see him (maybe) seem to shut off all of his feelings at the end.

I would've liked to have seen more of Vader. And, as far as I'm concerned, they could've left out the new flashback scenes with Anakin. He was clearly much older than Anakin when he because Vader and got all burned up. It was impossible from me to suspend my disbelief. Also, they maybe could've used fewer flashbacks in general - from the prequels and in Obi-Wan's mind, hearing lines from earlier in the series.

The Third Sister story - once we found out who/what she was, it felt a bit obvious where it was going. And then it went exactly there.

Anytime people were supposed to be running, they seemed way too casual about it. Mainly this had to do with Leia. Running from the kidnappers, she just didn't seem like getting away was that important.

The Empire was just extraordinarily inept and ought to have easily captured or killed or overrun anyone they were fighting against. It was just pathetic. Rescuing Leia should not have worked, either time.

Whoever choreographed/directed the group fight scenes could've done much better. However, the light saber fights were good.

So, it's a mixed review from me. Overall, I guess, it was okay.