Obi-Wan Kenobi

After years of waiting and speculation, one of Star Wars most beloved characters has finally received his own screen story. I was excited for this and certainly wasn't disappointed. Given the way that Star Wars has definitely declined in proper storytelling in the last few years, Obi-Wan Kenobi had a mighty task to complete. And who better to accomplish that task than the man who always believed in hope?

Ten years after the fall of the Galactic Republic, the rise of the Galactic Empire and the destruction of the Jedi Order, Obi Wan Kenobi has been living in seclusion on the planet of Tatooine. His life that was once filled with adventure and purpose has now been reduced to one goal. The protection and training of Anakin Skywalker's son, Luke who is being raised by Anakin's step-brother Owen Lars and his wife Beru. Owen, angry at how Obi-Wan failed Anakin, refuses to allow Obi-Wan to come near Luke much less train him. 

Obi-Wan truly believes as well that he has failed his former padawan and is forever haunted by nightmares of their final battle. Alone and afraid, Obi-Wan has lost his control of the Force which had once been as familiar to him as breathing. 

Meanwhile, the Empire led by the Emperor and his second in command, Darth Vader, has sent Inquisitors whose primary duty is to hunt down the remaining Jedi who weren't slaughtered in Order 66. Anyone from the time of the Jedi Order or is remotely Force sensitive have been marked and sentenced for death. Now more than ever, Obi-Wan Kenobi must hide away from the world that he fought his whole life to protect only to have them hunt him down.

On the planet of Alderaan, young and headstrong Princess Leia, known for her feistiness and brutal honesty has been kidnapped by Galactic pirates. Leia's frightened parents can only turn to one man that can help them. Bale Organa pleads with Obi-Wan to find his child, knowing that her disappearance has a deeper more sinister reason that goes beyond money or revenge. 

Hesitant at first, Obi-Wan reluctantly agrees and leaves his secluded life and steps out into the Galactic Empire society. During the rescue of the young princess, Obi-Wan's broken heart becomes mended as Leia begins to see deeper into his life, causing him to remember who he once was and return to the Force once more.

A simple and straightforward story that definitely had emotions all over the place!! As always Ewan McGregor was magnificent as Obi-Wan, a character whom he has owned completely since Episode I. I loved that Owen and Beru Lars played their own respective roles as Luke's protectors, but also finding a balance in their relationship with Obi-Wan Kenobi. 

Little Leia had a big role to fulfill if she was going to measure up to Carrie Fisher, but she did quite well. At first Leia came off as too precocious and made more to seem like a Wunderkind, but given her political upbringing you can give her some leeway. Her and Obi-Wan's chemistry was on point and their blossoming father/daughter relationship is absolutely heartwarming.  

If this show did anything it definitely redeemed Hayden Christensen in his role as Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader. For years, Hayden bore the brunt of the anti-prequel hatred, citing his bad acting as reason enough for their vitriol. However, in the last 5-6 years fans have come to a final realization that Hayden certainly wasn't to blame at all and had so much more to offer the role if he had only been allowed. Now, Hayden has become absolutely loved by the fandom and his portrayal as Darth Vader in the show has had fans ecstatic and wanting more. 

Obi-Wan Kenobi went back to old school, original trilogy Star Wars. No confusing political storylines, just a story of good vs evil, a princess that needs to be rescued, the ordinary man whose capable of doing extraordinary things, letting go of the past and always having hope for a better future.