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Author	Topic: The Prequels -- Obi-Wan's Trilogy
CaptainGiladPellaeon Registered: Jun '09	Date Posted: 6/17 1:01pm Subject: The Prequels -- Obi-Wan's Trilogy
	Lucas has stated more than once that the six Star Wars movies, as they currently stand, are about Anakin Skywalker. But my experience of viewing the prequel trilogy is that Obi-Wan is the hero--and by "hero," I don't just mean the least morally compromised character or the most interesting character, though I think Obi-Wan is both of those things. Beyond that, he seems to be the central focus. We get to see him progress from an inexperienced youth with limited vision to a wise Jedi in his prime who knows his place in the order of the universe, and more importantly, this arc of Obi-Wan's character development matches the progression of the three movies, with Obi-Wan at the beginning of his personal journey in TPM and the end of the journey in ROTS. Anakin's character development is shown too, but not only does it feel backgrounded, it does not progress so evenly throughout the trilogy. TPM features an Anakin so young that his experiences are barely integrated into his later story, but serve as more of a prologue explaining his origins. Now, there are many possible explanations for the foregrounding of Obi-Wan's story and the backgrounding of Anakin's. First and foremost, it's only my subjective perception of the prequels. Also, McGregor does a better job of acting, in my opinion, than anyone who portrayed Anakin, and his individual scenes are more well written and interesting, so he may just steal the show, despite Lucas' intentions. However, the more I think about the entire Star Wars saga, the more I think that Obi-Wan's centrality to the prequel trilogy is not a mistake on Lucas' part, nor a contradiction of his statement that the Star Wars saga is about the fall and redemption of Anakin Skywalker. In my opinion, the prequel trilogy is about Obi-Wan and the original trilogy is about Luke. One represents the ideal Jedi of the old times, and the other represents the ideal Jedi of the later times. Together, in their symmetrical relationship, these two Jedi and these two trilogies are like two halves of a puzzle that, when put together, illuminate the identity of Anakin Skywalker, the Chosen One and the true heart of the saga. Obi-Wan and Luke both serve as foils to Anakin, defining him by their similarities and differences to him. Obi-Wan is the upright and virtuous Jedi who always does his duty, who never falls, and Anakin's fall is understood by contrast. Luke is the compassionate and merciful Jedi who does not believe that "if once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny," and Vader's nearly impossible struggle to escape the ghosts of his past is understood by contrast. -----signature----- Whatever slippery ground exists here is beneath your feet. – Admiral Gilad Pellaeon (Vision of the Future) I question all that is not yet familiar to me. – Grand Admiral Thrawn (Heir to the Empire)
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JEDIGUNSHIP Title: C&G Game Host BC Single Pick Winner Registered: May '08	Date Posted: 6/17 3:31pm Subject: The Prequels -- Obi-Wan's Trilogy
	I like the analysis there. Good job! -----signature----- Blue and yellow make a green lightsaber. How do you get red out of blue? Council Member in the New Jedi Trials/ Commander-in-Chief of the Rebel Alliance Addicted to Rock Band 2 and Proud of It! SWC Secret Rebel '09 Band Geek For Life!
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eht13 Registered: Sep '07	Date Posted: 6/17 6:14pm Subject: The Prequels -- Obi-Wan's Trilogy
	JEDIGUNSHIP posted: I like the analysis there. Good job! Yes, I agree... very good stuff. As I read that I saw a few ideas that I have had myself, and was preparing to explain in my own post... but then as I read on further they were already in there.
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Nerkahia Registered: Jun '09	Date Posted: 6/17 8:53pm Subject: The Prequels -- Obi-Wan's Trilogy
	I agree whole heartedly, Bravo ! ~Nerkahia
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Gary_Buchenara Registered: Apr '09	Date Posted: 6/17 9:47pm Subject: The Prequels -- Obi-Wan's Trilogy
	Original post too good. Can't add more or better.
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NelanisGhost Registered: Jun '06	Date Posted: 6/18 12:20am Subject: The Prequels -- Obi-Wan's Trilogy - Date Edited: 6/18 12:23am (1 edits total) Edited By: NelanisGhost
	It does appear to be Obi-wan's story, esp AOTC, where Padme and Anakin , the proverbial Pandora's box, are mainly background, but so much the fate of Obi-wan is tied to their dalliances... is opened while under Obi-wan's supervision. It reminds me of that Farside cartoon where god drops the jar and the naked humans run into the forest and God goes Uh Oh..... As soon as Obi-wan leaves Anakin and Padme alone together....... The sad thing is he doesn't even get any love. The couple loves each other and Obi-wan watches, almost in an Arthurian way, or a Merlinesque way, if Anakin be Uther . Love those SW archtypes! -----signature----- If there's a bright center of the galaxy, you're on the planet it's farthest from: Earth Our own stunning bright center: http://astrosurf.com/sguisard/Pagim/GC.html Barnes and Noble: TFU hardcover. Nice! $5.98 in discount section.....
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Dark_Lord_THX_1138 Registered: Jun '09	Date Posted: 6/18 10:28am Subject: The Prequels -- Obi-Wan's Trilogy
	Nice, solid post.
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voodoopuuduu Title: Classic Trilogy Trivia Host Registered: Mar '04	Date Posted: 6/18 7:55pm Subject: The Prequels -- Obi-Wan's Trilogy
	In my opinion, the prequel trilogy is about Obi-Wan and the original trilogy is about Luke. One represents the ideal Jedi of the old times, and the other represents the ideal Jedi of the later times. Together, in their symmetrical relationship, these two Jedi and these two trilogies are like two halves of a puzzle that, when put together, illuminate the identity of Anakin Skywalker, the Chosen One and the true heart of the saga. Its Lucas's style of writing/directing to have many stories going on at once within a story, ie American Graffiti. -----signature----- Winner CT Trivia Challenge 44, 54 Winner PT Trivia Challenge 10 , 13, 14, 17 Joint-Winner CT Challenge 49 and 50, PT Challange 18
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Jedi Vince Registered: Aug '99	Date Posted: 6/19 6:06pm Subject: The Prequels -- Obi-Wan's Trilogy
	I always thought Obi-Wan was a great conduit to the audience in the Prequels. We see the story through his eyes -- he's a very reliable narrator in a way. AT one point, Dooku tries to persuade him to join his cause, but Obi-Wan wasn't having it. The more I watch these films, the more I love Obi-Wan. There's no gray areas to him -- he's a man of principle, who has no time for root causes or moral equivalence. -----signature----- The PIGMAN: Drawing the line against Jihad http://fawstin.blogspot.com/ http://www.jihadwatch.org/ Don't tread on me.
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darth-amedda Registered: Aug '03	Date Posted: 6/19 9:46pm Subject: The Prequels -- Obi-Wan's Trilogy
	For me Obi-wan is the best developed character and the true hero of PT (and now one of my favourite characters in whole SW) Besides, repeating my signature I'd remind that in 70s GL said: "One of the sequels we are thinking of is the young days of Ben Kenobi". So it might suggest that he was planned as maybe not the main, but still one of the most important characters. -----signature----- "One of the sequels we are thinking of is the young days of Ben Kenobi". George Lucas 1977 "You know, I'm not known for my dialogue". George Lucas 2003
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StarWarrior77 Registered: Oct '08	Date Posted: 6/23 3:35pm Subject: The Prequels -- Obi-Wan's Trilogy
	Wow. I never thought of the Prequels as Obi-Wan's story, but now that you point it out, it makes sense... -----signature----- "Star Wars is not dead. It's gonna get better and better."-George Lucas "Star Wars is Forever, Roger. And you can Suck it." -Jimmy Mac Visit: http://z3.invisionfree.com/Star_Wars_Online/index.php
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DVCPRO-HDeditor Registered: Nov '06	Date Posted: 6/23 4:00pm Subject: The Prequels -- Obi-Wan's Trilogy
	Similar thoughts were expressed in the Down In Front audio commentary of The Phantom Menace. I only mention it because its a darn fine commentary, by some regular and veteran forum-goers. A bit of swearing, a few f-bombs, but all in all, a very good fan commentary. The Attack of the Clones commentary just went up this week, too - similar warning, same general feeling. -----signature----- "Murder is not a bannable offense here on TFN." ~ AdamBertocci Let Me Google That For You: http://tinyurl.com/5p4arw
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Jovieve Registered: May '02	Date Posted: 6/23 6:42pm Subject: The Prequels -- Obi-Wan's Trilogy - Date Edited: 6/23 6:42pm (1 edits total) Edited By: Jovieve
	Good post. Sometimes a character can take on a life of his own and escape from what the author/inventor originally meant for him. I think that's the case with Obi-Wan Kenobi. He refused to be relegated to the sidelines, a pathetic failure, a minor character overshadowed by Anakin's brilliance and Vader's darkness. Instead, his noble, steadfast, self-sacrificing, compassionate character became the pivot point on which everything in the GFFA and Anakin's actions swung, for good and bad. The trilogies are just as much the story of Obi-Wan and his influence as Anakin's or Luke's. Indeed, when you think on it, movie-wise, the deepest, most long-lasting relationship either Anakin or Luke had was with Obi-Wan. -----signature----- "Are there Sith on this planet, Master Kenobi? Are they coming for us now? Should we - I don't know - run?" "Run?" he echoed. "Run where, do you suggest?" "I don't know! Away?"
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DRush76 Registered: Jan '08	Date Posted: 6/25 10:17am Subject: The Prequels -- Obi-Wan's Trilogy
	I disagree. Completely. Especially since Obi-Wan doesn't play a strong role in TPM, until the last half hour. And nor do I consider him to be the least morally compromised character in the trilogy. In his own way, he seemed as morally compromised as the other characters. I simply cannot join the CULT OF OBI-WAN KENOBI.
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Game3525 Registered: Jun '08	Date Posted: 6/25 1:36pm Subject: The Prequels -- Obi-Wan's Trilogy
	The OP made some valid points, but the story is still about Anakin and Luke Skywalker IMO. -----signature----- Skywalker and Kenobi: The team "Some men see things as they are and say why? I dream things that never were and say what not." -Bobby Kennedy
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CaptainGiladPellaeon Registered: Jun '09	Date Posted: 6/27 1:22am Subject: The Prequels -- Obi-Wan's Trilogy
	DRush76 posted: Obi-Wan doesn't play a strong role in TPM, until the last half hour. Well, I think "strong role" is a subjective assessment, but for me, he played a strong role throughout TPM, and a much stronger role than Anakin's in that movie. Almost the first scene in the movie involves Qui-Gon teaching Obi-Wan about the living Force, and the only scenes that precede this are expositional stuff about the Jedi's ship reaching a landing bay, so to me, the movie really starts by exploring Obi-Wan's understanding of the Force, suggesting how he might develop and grow throughout the prequels. And as the movie continues, Obi-Wan continues to do things pivotal to the plot, at least some of which also develop his character. He explains symbiosis to Boss Nass, frees the Naboo pilots, locates Tatooine as a suitable place to land and refuel, etc. Even when he gets left behind on the ship, on Tatooine, the only time he is really out of the action in TPM, the movie keeps cutting back to him. TPM's Anakin, by contrast, is a child with a static personality who does not appear onscreen until the Tatooine scenes, after which point, a good portion of his story revolves around Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon's disagreements about what to do with him, thus developing Obi-Wan's character almost as much as his own. Really, it's TPM more than any other movie that keeps me from accepting the prequels as Anakin's trilogy. -----signature----- Whatever slippery ground exists here is beneath your feet. – Admiral Gilad Pellaeon (Vision of the Future) I question all that is not yet familiar to me. – Grand Admiral Thrawn (Heir to the Empire)
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