Disney+ Premiers New Star Wars Miniseries 'Obi-Wan Kenobi'
CNET reviews Obi-Wan Kenobi, the new six-episode miniseries premiering today on Disney+It's a question that's vexed Star Wars fans for decades: How did the bad guys not find Luke Skywalker when he was literally hiding in his father's old home? New Disney Plus miniseries Obi-Wan Kenobi, streaming now, will reveal the answer. But the real question is, can a minor continuity error actually be stretched out to create an entire TV series worth your time? And is there really a compelling story to be told when you already know how it turns out? Thankfully, on the strength of the first two episodes - both available to stream on Disney Plus today, followed by further installments each Wednesday - the answer appears to be yes. Obi-Wan Kenobi (the show) is an assured, pacey and exciting new series with a great cast, from creators who know how to use familiar elements - and, crucially, how to hold some back - in a story that is, most importantly, character-driven.... With blaster battles and bounty hunter droids and sneering Imperials, it's all satisfyingly Star Wars, with some nifty worldbuilding like battered drug dealers and a poignant cameo that stops Obi-Wan in his tracks. On top of that are fun new characters - look out for Flea from the Red Hot Chilli Peppers, plus Kumail Nanjiani clearly having the time of his life - combined with compelling conflicts for the characters we know. It turns out even when you think he's a beaten man, Obi-Wan Kenobi still has a few tricks up his sleeve. CNET describes Kenobi's character - played again by Ewan McGregor - as "hugely compelling.... a broken war veteran who not only lost a surrogate son but also saw his whole civilization fall to darkness," in a series set just before the original Star Wars movie (Episode 4: A New Hope) - so, just after Revenge of the Sith. "More than any recent Star Wars shows, it's built from Star Wars at its best (the original film) and Star Wars at its worst (the overblown, computer-effects-blighted prequel trilogy)."
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