Return of the Hard Jedi Ewan McGregor

Whether you loved George Lucas’ previous Star Wars films as Ewok Loved, or fiercely hated Alf Death Stars, it’s hard to deny that Ewan McGregor had a crush as young Obi-Wan Kenobi in 1999.

Twenty-three years ago – long before the origin stories came out – the actor cleverly imagined how an abnormally wise version of Alec Guinness might act and explored the student’s transition into a hermit. McGregor and Liam Neeson as Qui-Gon Jinn were, 100%, much better additions to “Star Wars” than any of the cool performers in JJ Abrams’ latest wobbly trilogy.

And so I am pleased to welcome back to the Scotsman in the “Obi-Wan Kenobi”, Disney +The latest series is set a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away (about nine more soon). The first two episodes of the sci-fi drama that stopped on Friday don’t suggest the addictive triumph that season 1 of “The Mandalorian” had, but the Force was mostly with him.

The show takes place 10 years after the events of 2005’s “Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith,” which saw Anakin Skywalker turns into Darth Vader – Excited OG Mask.

Although the math is baffling, it makes sense. Actor McGregor is now 17, which is true, but the story of the period movies takes place over a 13-year period and a hottie is prematurely sent into a midlife crisis with a ridiculous beard. Now, at the age of 51, he is closer to the real age of his character.

A decade later, Obi-Wan calls himself Ben, as he did in the 1977 movie A New Hope. Living on the sunny desert planet of Tatooine, 10-year-old Luke watches from afar and tries to survive in secret as he is The last remaining Jedi are violently pursued by the detectives (led by a terrible friend Robert).

This is where “Obi-Wan” begins to resemble “The Mandalorian”, “Star Trek” and “Stargate SG-1”. It obviously wouldn’t be fun to watch a guy in a burlap cap curl up in a cave all day, so there are unplanned missions that take him out of the world, as we meet the big characters. Camille Nanjiani, with his distinctive sense of humor, plays one underground character that we hope to see more of.

All the while, he is pursued by a stubborn imperial investigator named Reva (Musa Ingram).

Early, Little Leah (Vivien Lyra Blair) plays a major role From her home planet in Alderaan with her adoptive father Bail Organa (Jimmy Smits, returning from Prequel). She is already strong-willed and precocious when she was in her teens, and the writing goes too far with the hot attitude. We don’t need Princess Doogie Hauser.

What is missing from “Obi-Wan” is the same as Jedi sais quoi This has been absent from most of the extended Star Wars franchise (outside of “The Mandalorian”) since Disney bought Lucasfilm: the sensation in which you see something sparkling and new. Production is expensive with detailed CGI pieces and creatures. However, there is very little difference in filmmaking. Nothing innovative or cool. Aesthetically, the series is part of an ongoing effort to dilute the fame of a popular American movie and make it look like just another “Star Wars” product.

Appearances aside, the story so far is intriguing and McGregor continues the Obi-Wan story in an emotionally rich way — something Alden Ehrenreich’s horrific Han Solo movie couldn’t do.

The most important thing to note (this isn’t a spoiler so much as a sweetener) is that in the first two episodes of “Obi-Wan Kenobi”, Jar Jar Binks didn’t appear. Everyone can relax. It is said to bother someone else too far.