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. 

Female Protagonist in Star Wars Trailer

“Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” 

When I watched this trailer, my honest reaction was something like, “Cool! I’m much more interested in this Star Wars movie based on the trailer than ‘The Force Awakens’.” 

But, apparently, the biggest reaction according to the internet is that a bunch of dudes are complaining about “another” female lead. 

. . . Some ‘Star Wars’ Bros Are Freaking Out 

I don’t get it, guys. I never had the thought, “Oh, no! Here’s a character who doesn’t have all the same body parts that I do.” Is that really a problem for you? “The Force Awakens” was not a movie about women taking power and how men suck. There was that hand-holding bit, but that’s about it. And I see nothing in the trailer to suggest that “Rogue One” is going to be about women taking power and how men suck. What I see is a scruffy, Han Solo-type who happens to be a women and who is surrounded by mostly men. 

Oh yeah, and there’s a scene with Mon Mothma. (Given the nature of her character, I’d be surprised if she plays a large role with a lot of screen time.)

I cannot help but think the only reason for this kind of “Damn it, not another female lead, enough already” reaction is that these guys with these thoughts see these characters as females and not as people. Or maybe as females first, and then hot or not hot, etc., then somewhere down the line as people. 

Guys, seriously, women are people. Just like Blacks and Jews and Little People and Albinos and Albanians and Soylent Green. Sorry, that list got a little ridiculous and probably undercuts the seriousness of this point. 

Guys, women are people, just like you. And there’s no reason that they can’t or shouldn’t be the hero or the protagonist or the leader or anything that you could be. Go meet some women – not just women who you’re hoping will have sex with you – and have conversations with them. Listen to them, and consider the words and ideas they are communicating for their own value. Evaluate their abilities and their actions, and then judge them as a human person. Do a lot of that, and then, go back and watch that “Rogue One” trailer again. And then apologize for your harmful, sexist comments.