Synopsis: Reva’s last-minute plan comes to fruition. After the Inquisitor placed a tracking device in Leia’s droid prior to her, Tala and Obi-Wan’s escape from Fortress Inquisitorius.
Story
Obi-Wan Kenobi part 5 saw Vader, Reva and Imperial Stormtroopers follow Ben and Leia back to Jabiim. Where Kenobi swiftly makes plans to get the refugees there to safety. Regrettably, our heroes are unable to open the bay doors for their ship to carry them to safety. Cue Leia offering to crawl into the vents and fix the opening mechanism. Meanwhile, Reva and the Empire arrive on Jabiim and attempt to enter the refugees’ base. Into the bargain Obi-Wan attempts to parley with the new Grand Inquisitor.
Only to discover that Reva was once a Jedi youngling whom Anakin/Vader left for dead. On top of that, Reva slices through the blast door with her lightsaber. And a pitched battle commences. Moreover, Tala loses her life. Obi-Wan surrenders, and attempts to persuade Reva to turn against Vader. Additionally, the Jedi General escapes his captors and makes it back to the ship. Where Leia has successfully fixed the bay doors’ opening mechanism.
Furthermore, Vader arrives on Jabiim only for Obi-Wan and the refugees to escape him. Reva turns on the Sith Lord. Only to be struck down by him. Part 5 ends with a dying Reva discovering Bail Organa’s message to Kenobi. Revealing Luke Skywalker’s location on Tatooine.
Acting
Moses Ingram absolutely acted her heart out in Part 5 from her restrained intensity and amazing emotion during her scenes with Ewan McGregor’s main character to her full on rage during Reva’s duel with Vader. Further, Ingram showed great facial acting when Lord Vader made her Grand Inquisitor. Ewan McGregor showed Obi-Wan’s trepidation and emotional balance in the scene where he attempts to talk to Reva. As well as some equally great intensity as part of the scene where Kenobi tries to turn Reva. Indira Varma was OK as Tala. I really enjoyed her line “You can fight to make them better.”
Vivien Lyra Blair was utterly convincing as young Leia. I really felt that this was the same character that the late great Carrie Fisher played. Hayden Christensen did some solid acting as Anakin Skywalker during the flashback training duel scene. Over and above that, Kumail Nanjiani really made me feel for Haja. Jimmy Smits put across Bail Organa’s rising panic well in his holo message to Ben. O Shea Jackson Jr brought some great subdued intensity in Rokan’s scenes with Obi-Wan. Rupert Friend was brilliantly obnoxious as the returning Grand Inquisitor. And James Earl Jones played Darth Vader to perfection.
CGI
Obi-Wan Kenobi Part 5’s CGI was excellent. The CGI of Jabiim was great and very detailed. The Star Destroyers were well done too. And of course the FX of Vader dragging the refugee ship back to the surface was spectacular and undoubtedly made a lot of fans very happy. Besides the lightsabers were great. I got a kick out of Reva wielding a saberstaff. Vader holding two red lightsabers was also great.
Incidental Music
Part 5’s incidental music really made the show feel like true Star Wars. I enjoyed the swashbuckling theme in Obi-Wan and Anakin’s flashback duel scene. There was also a great creepy theme when Leia’s droid flew off to disable the bay doors. Additionally, there was a really nice portentous theme as the Star Destroyers travelled to Jabiim. By the same token, the score used when the Stormtroopers were firing on the blast door was great too. I also liked the gentle sneaky theme when Leia crawled into the ducts to fix the bay doors’ opening mechanism. And of course the music when the bay doors opened was good. Of special note was the mournful theme when Tala was killed. That and McGregor’s facial acting really made that moment.
Overall
Obi-Wan Kenobi Part 5 was sensational. The story was tight and well paced with sustained tension. And some great fan pleasing moments throughout. Major thumbs up from this reviewer.
Check out our reviews of Obi-Wan Kenobi Parts 1&2 , 3 and 4 .
- Story10
- Acting9.5
- CGI9.8
- Incidental Music10
