Obi Wan's Force Gesture

I'm curious to know just what Obi Wan was doing when he pointed his hand at an opponent (such as Grievous)before combat. I only ask this because he doesn't do this in the other two prequels and he doesn't do it when he fights Anakin. Is it a technique he learned between movies or does it represent some other significance in the progression of his fighting style?

 

I always thought that it was Obi-Wan's way of saying: "I'm gonna own you now!"

But then again, he might have been using the Force since doesn't it take Grevious a second or two to attack after Obi-Wan does that?

 

In real life it's called a mudra, a gesture used in esoteric Buddhism and martial arts to give the user protection, in order to dispense some divine justice. It represents the deity that is the patron saint of warrior monks and ascetic swordsmen, but I figure it's similar in Star Wars. "I'm gonna own you" is probably right-on, or more accurately, "Grievous, get ready to feel Heaven's wrath snitch!"

 

That two finger pointy gesture is the dorkiest thing in the saga. Belive me, I know a couple of things about dorkitude.

 

edit: inappropriate

 

No idea what it meant, but I agree it was pretty stupid to do

 

Really? I don't think it was stupid at all. It is one of the few times that we see that Obi-Wan can be a badass mofo too. For a brief second, he shows just a little bit of attitude -- I think it's great!

 

I think it looks ace! Obi-Wan showing a bit of attitude!

 

Some of you people need to learn more about what's cool and what isn't.

Two-finger pre-combat somatics = cool.

 

If Obi-Wan is a Dork. So be it. Obi-Wan is Cool.

 

I thought it looked silly initially, but since my first viewing I have changed my opinion. I think it gives Obi-Wan a little more depth. At least he *has* a unique stance with a signature gesture.

 

He's doing it because it makes him look wicked hot.

 

i remember pulling the same stance in elementary thinking it was going to help me win this fight againts a bully.

a teacher came over and stopped the fight before it began because she thought i was pointing at her to come over...

 

Obi-wan's stance is as mentioned at the top of this thread. It's common in swordfighting. Look no further than "Kill Bill" volume 2, where Uma Thurman as Beatrix Kiddo does it in Chapter 8: "The Cruel Tutalege Of Pai Mei". Since the Lightsaber duels are based on the Asian style of fighting, it makes sense that Gillard incorperated as many those elements into the duels.

 

It was cool the first time he does it, the 2nd time only minutes later is balls.

 

I think it is like a focusing gesture, but I don't know.

 

I have always thought it looked rediculous, sorry!

EDIT: [image=http://twitch.freedville.com/wallpapers/Actors/obi-wan_ROTS_blue1024_small.jpg]

 

I thought it was cool. Especially since its based off real martial arts.

 

The only thing cooler, IMO, would have been if, after pointing, Obi-Wan turned his pointy hand with palm facing upward, and then made a "come hither" motion with it!

"You wanna peice of THIS, Grievous? Come-N-Get it, Tin Man!"

 

Right you are.

 

I don't know what it it is (and honestly, I don't care very much about that), but it looks great! One of my favourite shots!

 

It looked pretty good on Utapau when Obi-Wan about to take on Grievous. But on the Invisible Hand (dunno if anyone else caught this), right before Grievous smashes the window...Obi-Wan also does it, and it seems a lot more ridiculous seeing him pull it off in the middle of a fight.

 

In swordfights, both real and staged, swordmasters will change stances often. Though it's less likely in a real fight to look as flashy as a staged one. The correct stance will lead into the next offensive or defensive manuvers. In this case, Obi-wan can go into an offensive attack. He can aim for the neck of Grievous or across his head. In AOTC, you see Anakin and Dooku both raise their sabers for an overhead strike. While it could go in a simple slashing motion straight down, it can also go left to right like in the film.

Interesting note, Peter Diamond wanted to do that kind of stance in the OT, but Lucas shot him down. Gillard must've finally convinced him to do it.

 

Its also the stance that Connor MacLeod uses right before beheading The Kurgan at the end of Highlander.

And who does Connor behead at the -beginning- of Highlander? Peter Diamond himself. My mind is being blown.

 

That guy he fights in the parking lot? Wow, that's pretty cool.