(Tie) 3. Obi-Wan Kenobi – Daniel Cohen
Why I Ranked Obi-Wan so High: I’m always a sucker for the wise old mentor. Mr. Miyagi. Master Splinter. Mickey Goldmill. But it doesn’t get more wise and mentorey than Obi-Wan Kenobi. I love Yoda as much as the next guy, but there’s something about Alec Guinness’s presence in the original Star Wars that will always make him the ultimate wise old master. Let’s not forget, Guinness is the only actor in all of Star Wars to have been nominated for an Academy Award. The character couldn’t even be derailed by George Lucas in the prequels. He’s the only consistent positive force in all three movies, with a stirring performance from Ewan McGregor. Maybe he was given bad scripts and even worse direction, but that wasn’t going to stop McGregor from celebrating this incredible character.
Obi-Wan is one of the few people to appear in all six films (two as a force ghost). What I love most about the character is simply listening to him explain anything and everything. Part of the reason why I detest the midi-chlorians so much as that it devalues Obi-Wan’s beautiful and powerful explanation of what the force is in Episode IV. The force is the central element and theme in Star Wars, and it’s that monologue from Guinness that sells you hook, line and sinker.
The character is a smart ass, but wisdom flows from every corner of his raggedy robes and grizzly beard. He’s also a character who’s endured great burden. If the prequels did one thing well, it’s showing us that it wasn’t Obi-Wan’s fault Anakin was seduced by the dark side of the force. Anakin was doomed from the start, and all Obi-Wan could do was carry out his dying master’s last wish. The relationship between him and Luke Skywalker is one of the elements I love most about the Star Wars saga, and hope it somehow continues in this next movie.
Obi-Wan certainly didn’t go out like a chump, ala a Boba Fett or Mace Windu. It’s one of the most bad ass, yet dignified deaths in all of cinema. Obi-Wan Kenobi, I salute you – the force will certainly be with you…always.
Favorite Line: “If you strike me down, I shall become more powerful than you could possibly imagine.”
Quintessential Saga Moment: To piggy back on my favorite line, it’s Obi-Wan’s death. He stands there, lightsaber raised, ready to become one with the force.
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