|
|
Post by Ingram on Jun 23, 2022 10:17:42 GMT
 Soooo, you liked it then. To reiterate my own personal investment in the show with just one syllable: non.
That said, I will come to a minor defense of the unnamed(?) planet backdrop for the final duel between Vader and Obi-Wan. I think it just had the unfortunate draw of being a vivid "desert rock planet" among multiple other genuinely nondescript "desert rock planets" where in turn its impression, especially this late in the game, gets lost a bit. Yes, the cinematography is like something out of a Peter Hyams movie (I doubt anyone will appreciate that reference), yes, on paper it is in fact just more desert and more rocks and, yes, it was no doubt the product of a TV budget where they could inexpensively dress the live set around the actors uniformly with virtually colorless polystrene.
Still, I found it painterly in a darkly sense that, for once in the series, felt as artful as it did thrifty. It pushes the low-light to a point that, well, makes a point: this really is some kind of an id-dream world, a realm buried deep within the crevices of the psyche where there is no life and scarcely any definition. It's as if the entire galaxy went dark, faded out of existence. Just these two left with their primary-colored laser swords.
The first image is almost not even there ...something about which I like.
Said laser swords are made the most of visually, at least proportionate the the abilities of a stock TV director. In the end it all came down to a spectrum shift across the character's visages that aided the scene using an obvious language, granted, but in a traditional Star Wars fashion no less.
I've made up my mind that continuity or canonization is utterly meaningless here even in a strictly hypothetical sense. This series -- this final confrontation, specifically -- is not a storyline branching from that of the main Saga. It's not even an adaptation of a branching storyline. Hell, it's not even an adaptation of the raw story material. This is an adaptation of general lore material ...not unlike Greek gods being incorporated into DC comics or something.
But that's just me.
|
|
|
|
Post by Seeker of the Whills on Jun 23, 2022 10:49:30 GMT
I see Qui-Gon (and Palpatine), I like. That's how easy I am to please.  I lost my internet, that is why I couldn't watch the episode and comment on it. I'm in a library now, and skimmed the episode for those parts. Seeing Qui-Gon again, the way he is revealed turning around and the dialogue was pitch perfect. It made me really emotional, almost to the point of tearing up from sheer happiness. I was grinning like an idiot. Qui-Gon shares the top spot for my favorite character, and he's really one of the fictional surrogate father figures to me as much as he is for Obi-Wan and Anakin. There are moments of brilliance like that in this series, but the bulk of it ended up being unremarkable. I expect there to be parts in this episode which I don't care for. I'll post more thoughts once I get to watch the full episode. |
|
|
|
Post by Somny on Jun 23, 2022 12:09:39 GMT
Yes, the cinematography is like something out of a Peter Hyams movie (I doubt anyone will appreciate that reference)I did and rather like Hyams' spare aesthetic.  |
|
|
|
Post by Somny on Jun 23, 2022 12:46:22 GMT
Also, is it just me or is Liam Neeson morphing into James Cromwell?  |
|
|
|
Post by Anthony on Jun 23, 2022 12:48:05 GMT
I forgot to say that the score was surprisingly bland too, except for John William's wonderful new theme. Another disappointment  |
|
|
|
Post by Darkslayer on Jun 23, 2022 12:49:19 GMT
Cryogenic will come around, give him time. Be patient. He didn't like TLJ when that film came out either. I think he was more negative on it than I was at one stage! Cryo likes The Last Jedi? Honestly shocked 😂 |
|
|
|
Post by stampidhd280pro on Jun 23, 2022 12:59:40 GMT
Also, is it just me or does Qui-Gon look tiny when he appears? Like the perspective is weird.
|
|
|
|
Post by Pyrogenic on Jun 23, 2022 16:26:55 GMT
I'm not gonna watch it.
|
|
|
|
Post by Somny on Jun 23, 2022 16:44:13 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by Pyrogenic on Jun 23, 2022 16:55:41 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by Darkslayer on Jun 23, 2022 18:19:19 GMT
Really don't know what to make of Cryo's post- I laughed I guess LMAOOOOBut anyway... This show should have been much better than it was- I really think it was a mistake to have given the task up to Deborah Chow, who is essentially still an amateur when it comes to Star Wars. Filoni has proven himself, that while he is not George, he is probably the most qualified to do this justice. Reva's character is essentially kind of pointless, and her hunt of Luke only detracts from the moment we where all waiting for. The other scenes though- the Vader- Obi-Wan duel, the unmasking of Vader, Obi-Wan saying goodbye to Leia, Obi-Wan meeting Luke, and to see the glorious Liam Neeson back as Qui-Gon. I'll be damned if those moments aren't the best Star Wars Disney has made. And yes like Somny, I did shed tears on several of these scenes. I agree with the bolded. This series would have been much better with Dave at the helm. While yes, he's not George, he is the closest thing we have to someone who has Lucas-level authority on the mythos. However there was no way, just no way, that he was going to get dragged away from his beloved Ahsoka. Not that I blame him, he's done a great job with the character. It's just unfortunate he can't be everywhere at once. |
|
|
|
Post by ArchdukeOfNaboo on Jun 23, 2022 18:28:04 GMT
When you look younger in real-life than on-screen:
|
|
|
|
Post by jppiper on Jun 23, 2022 19:52:12 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by Samnz on Jun 23, 2022 20:08:59 GMT
Having just finished the final episode, most of what I can say is that I feel pleased while knowing that the whole show was quite underwhelming. I am happy we got to see a little bit of the "real Obi-Wan Kenobi" in this episode. His trademark smile finally back! That said, I still think they particularly failed in regard to his characterization. He was far too lifeless and detached in the beginning and his journey back to being someone again was filled with little substance.
I stand by my opinion that they did a better job with Vader and really feel Hayden's touch on the character was noticable. Apart from thinking they made him somewhat over-powered in terms of force use, I think they got him right. I liked Reva after all and I found her hunt for Luke and her confrontation with the Lars family more interesting than most of the Vader/Kenobi fight. George and Robin Gurland were really the gods of casting. Both Edgerton and Piesse felt like younger versions of the characters from ANH, although Beru looked too young. Loved how Beru insisted on staying and protecting their home and family!
Leia... I know I am in the minority here, but: Just. Not. A. Fan. She was repeadedly more annoying than endearing. A better casting than Luke though, whose actor came across more dumb than naive. Sorry, no offense to the kid, but he was a miscast (IMO).
The rematch of the rematch: I thought the location was good, but most of it was just so predictable and boring. I didn't feel much until their final dialogue, which was good. Loved Ewan's acting here and it was a fun idea calling him "Darth". Why Obi-Wan allowed Vader to live is beyond me, though. That has nothing to do with being a Jedi, but with being extremely stupid. He must have known how much terror Vader was going to bring over the galaxy. ROTS did a much better job in that regard.
Still don't like lightsabers turning into glowing sticks every damn time. George knew when it was the right time to use them that way, Disney is just committing overkill. They also didn't feel the need to explain why people suddenly survive being stabbed by a lightsaber, which was strange.
Found myself perplexed by Obi-Wan just randomly visiting Alderaan, although Obi-Wan talking about Padmè and Anakin made more than up for it. I love Anakin and Padmé and their tragic story, so that scene really made me emotional. Ewan again shined and it is probably the scene of the series that will turn into my fondest memory.
Ian's cameo was unnecessary and the make up was indeed bad, supporting the idea that this show lacked production value and budget. Liked Liam's cameo better, although I always thought Qui-Gon was only capable of reaching through with his voice and not return in physical form.
Overall, as much as I hate to say it, I also think Deborah Chow and Joby Herald were not up to the challenge. Chow seems to be a kind person, but the directing and writing weren't as good as I hoped. However, Disney is also to blame. This should have been a movie. As it is now, you could easily edit it down to 3 or 4 episodes and it would probably turn out to be a better experience. Disney wanted to save the money and play nostalgia games with us prequel fans just like they did with OT fanboys and TFA. At least this time they showed respect to the maker and what came before and I am happy for that.
In conclusion, I enjoyed the journey with all of you and the ending of the last episode left me satisfied. That's all I hoped for, although it could have been so much more.
|
|
|
|
Post by emperorferus on Jun 23, 2022 20:15:40 GMT
I give the finale an 8/10- well done with a few criticisms.
Highlights: The final Obi-Wan vs Vader duel
Owen and Beru
Obi-Wan’s reasoning for separating from the rest of the path
The cameos- they felt appropriate- I think the series worked without Qui-Gon playing a major role, but it felt wrong not to include him at all
The emotional impact of both of Obi-Wan’s goodbyes to Leia, and his parting with Bail and Breha
Nitpicks-
Obi-Wan should have been on Tatooine when Reva was pursuing Luke- what if she hadn’t had a change of heart?
Reva living was appropriate to conclude her arc, which was done well, but it will create issues for the future
Obi-Wan should have tried to appeal to Vader, maybe mentioning Padme
|
|
|
|
Post by ArchdukeOfNaboo on Jun 23, 2022 22:58:09 GMT
Really don't know what to make of Cryo's post- I laughed I guess LMAOOOOBut anyway... This show should have been much better than it was- I really think it was a mistake to have given the task up to Deborah Chow, who is essentially still an amateur when it comes to Star Wars. Filoni has proven himself, that while he is not George, he is probably the most qualified to do this justice. Reva's character is essentially kind of pointless, and her hunt of Luke only detracts from the moment we where all waiting for. The other scenes though- the Vader- Obi-Wan duel, the unmasking of Vader, Obi-Wan saying goodbye to Leia, Obi-Wan meeting Luke, and to see the glorious Liam Neeson back as Qui-Gon. I'll be damned if those moments aren't the best Star Wars Disney has made. And yes like Somny, I did shed tears on several of these scenes. I agree with the bolded. This series would have been much better with Dave at the helm. While yes, he's not George, he is the closest thing we have to someone who has Lucas-level authority on the mythos. However there was no way, just no way, that he was going to get dragged away from his beloved Ahsoka. Not that I blame him, he's done a great job with the character. It's just unfortunate he can't be everywhere at once.
I think we need to accord some of the cinematography criticism to the DP too. It did get a little annoying at times, though it's not as bad as JJ's lens flare. I quickly got over it, much as I did the lack of John Williams's iconic themes.
As for David Filoni, I agree, he can't be everywhere simultaneously, there's too much happening at once. I would have still liked to see him get a writing credit on Obi-Wan, while I guess it came a little too soon for him to direct it. If it's any comfort, eljedicolombiano, know that he will almost certainly be the man to write the dialogue for Anakin's first appearance post-ROTJ, as a Force Ghost. That's quite a burden, and I trust him, I wouldn't have anyone else do it (still in the film industry).
Reva is certainly a loose canon at the end of Obi-Wan. I would have preferred if they gave her a fitting death in the 6th episode. The only positive I can see for her survival is granting the story a reason to pull Darth Vader back in for a hypothetical second season. I don't see how the Dark Lord of the Sith comes in otherwise, they really tied the knot on Obi-Wan and Vader's relationship in that final episode. They compressed what could have been a much longer series into 6 episodes, and they've left themselves little to no wiggle room, by telling a complete arc for Obi-Wan.
|
|
|
|
Post by Ingram on Jun 24, 2022 1:31:02 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by Pyrogenic on Jun 24, 2022 1:59:18 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by Cryogenic on Jun 24, 2022 7:03:26 GMT
The last episode was so bad it literally gave me Covid.
joking/not joking
|
|
|
|
Post by ArchdukeOfNaboo on Jun 24, 2022 11:36:55 GMT
The last episode was so bad it literally gave me Covid.joking/not joking
Saids the man who enjoyed TROS 
Covid-19 originated in December 2019. Just sayin'...
|
|
I lost my internet, that is why I couldn't watch the episode and comment on it. I'm in a library now, and skimmed the episode for those parts. Seeing Qui-Gon again, the way he is revealed turning around and the dialogue was pitch perfect. It made me really emotional, almost to the point of tearing up from sheer happiness. I was grinning like an idiot. Qui-Gon shares the top spot for my favorite character, and he's really one of the fictional surrogate father figures to me as much as he is for Obi-Wan and Anakin. There are moments of brilliance like that in this series, but the bulk of it ended up being unremarkable. I expect there to be parts in this episode which I don't care for. I'll post more thoughts once I get to watch the full episode. 
