Is Obi-Wan Kenobi series safe for kids? Is Obi-Wan Kenobi show OK for children? Read the Obi-Wan Kenobi Review | Safe for Kids?, an honest parents guide to the all-new Star Wars 6 episode television mini series show starring Ewan McGregor and Hayden Christensen, streaming exclusively on Disney+. No spoilers! #ObiWanKenobi May contain commissioned links.
Obi-Wan Kenobi Review | Safe for Kids? Parents Guide
Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi. You’re my only summer TV series hope.
10 years in the Star Wars universe can feel like an eternity when it comes to a long anticipated Star Wars series release. In case you weren’t feeling old enough already, Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith came out 17 years ago, Ewan McGregor is now 51 years old and Hayden Christensen is 40 years old. It’s a Star Wars family reunion! But maybe with a few ugly pasts, a few missing limbs and a long time grudge. Obi-Wan Kenobi television series has finally arrived, just in time for summer break. But is this the Star Wars show we’ve been looking for?
In this Obi-Wan Kenobi Review | Safe for Kids, I’m talking visuals, the story, a full TV-14 age rating breakdown, and sharing whether live action 6-episode Star Wars show streaming exclusively on Disney+ is the fan service we’ve been waiting for. A no spoiler parent review – this is the post you want to read before handing over the remote to your kids this summer break. Should parents be worried about a TV-14 Star Wars release? Check out the full Obi-Wan Kenobi Parents Guide.
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The Visuals
Visually, Obi-Wan Kenobi fits right in the Star Wars sci-fi universe. New creatures, new characters (old characters?), new spaceships, new lands, there’s a lot of Star Wars visuals to take in in just the first 2 episodes. While some of the CGI seems a little lacking, rushed, and unbelievable (Obi-Wan’s ride animal, Eopie – yeah, I saw it too), the grander landscapes, makeup and costuming help hide some of the technologically lacking visual flaws.
The Story
It’s a family reunion! The old Star Wars gang is back. Ewan McGregor reprises his role as Obi-Wan Kenobi, catching up with him 10 years after Revenge of the Sith. Joined by Hayden Christensen reprising his role as Darth Vader, Joel Edgerton reprising his role as Owen Lars, Moses Ingram (Netflix’s “The Queen’s Gambit“) as Reva Sevander, and Kumail Nanjiani (“Eternals“), this 6 episode limited series following the life of Obi-Wan post Jedi years.
A little older, a little weathered, a little more crotched-y, Obi-Wan Kenobi has certainly felt the years between his haunted Anakin/Jedi past and his present day. Playing on his age while not losing his touch, “Ben” is still charming yet stubborn, precise yet still a little humorous – McGregor eats up his old man syndrome.
Filled with little Star Wars Easter Eggs, questions answered, plot hole fillers and old “friends,” the Star Wars fandom will appreciate this easy to digest summer show. But will families be able to watch this live action Star Wars series together?
Obi-Wan Kenobi TV-14 Rating Explained
Is Obi-Wan Kenobi safe for kids? Well that TV-14 age rating is certainly a horse of a different color. It’s no secret that I am highly skeptical of all MPAA ratings (um hello, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker not disclosing any language??). And as we know, not all TV age ratings are the same. As a parent, it’s been rather heartbreaking to witness how movie ratings have shifted over the years with G-rated movies now a thing of the past.
PG ratings now oscillating between Incredibles 2 intense to Christopher Robin calm, there’s a wide range between the age of 0-12 years old to consider. (Most recently, Turning Red had quite the PG rated controversy on social media.) But this is a first for me, a specifically rated TV-14 Star Wars series on Disney+.
Why is Obi-Wan Kenobi series rated TV-14? In this Obi-Wan Kenobi Review | Safe for Kids?, the 2022 Star Wars television mini series is rated TV-14 for “violence” on Disney+, one of the highest age ratings given to a live action Star Wars release. But can we trust the Jedi on this limited series? Is the Obi-Wan Kenobi show safe for kids? Or is this just a Jedi mind trick? *Please note that this review and Parents Guide to Obi-Wan Kenobi is for Episode 1 and Episode 2 only.
Adult Themes. Overall very mild, just like the original Star Wars movies and even the newer Star Wars live action series on Disney+. Mild gambling, people stumbling as if they were drunk, bar scene backdrop, and inference to possible drug sales (but referred to as “spices”). No sexy material or overt red flags of note.
Language. Thank you, thank you Star Wars for keeping it clean. While I can only reveal that there is NO bad language to note in Episodes 1 and 2 only, this show definitely has all of the feels of the old school Star Wars. No swear words or questionable language in the Obi-Wan Kenobi series.
Violence/Suspense. Pretty on par with usual Star Wars sci-fi. There are weapons used (lightsabers, guns, a few handheld weapons), killings/deaths, body parts cut off, but no blood or overt gore seen, although blood is talked about in the dialogue. There is also a dead body hanging (not via neck) that is pretty prominent and visible in Episode 1.
Be warned that there are multiple flashbacks to Episode III (crispy Anakin ringing a bell?) that may be a little grues0me for kids to see if they have not watched the third Star Wars movie, including Anakin/Darth Vader in multiple stages of recovery.
Episode 3 Review Update. (44 minute runtime) The adult themes and language of Episode 3 remain on the same level as the first two episodes. No overt adult themes and no bad language/swear words to report. Please note that for Obi-Wan Kenobi Episode 3, the violence/suspense is more intense than previous episodes. Human body disfigurement, torture, force choking and killing of adults and children are present. Small amount of blood and gore seen during the end of the episode. Some scenes may be too scary for children to watch. I would caution parents to prescreen Episode 3 for young children.
Episode 4 Review Update. (36 minute runtime) No language or swear words in this episode. Violence on par with usual Star Wars level. Adult themes in this episode do include some disturbing images of adults and a child that may be traumatic for young kids. This scene occurs at the 19:50 – 20:08 minute mark.
Episode 5 Review Update. (40 minute runtime) No language or swear words in this episode. Violence on par with usual Star Wars level. Adult themes in this episode do include in depth discussions regarding Reva’s past, grief and death. May be traumatic for children and adults considering recent events at Uvalde. Proceed with caution on this episode.
Finale Episode 6 Review Update. (48 minute runtime) No language or swear words in this episode, which thankfully means the entire Obi-Wan series is free from bad language. Violence on par with usual Star Wars level. There’s a tad peek of human disfigurement that may be scary. However, there are some “sounds” that may be difficult to listen to, especially for young kids. (You’ll understand when you watch.) Lots of story loose ends to wrap up in this finale episode, but sadly it didn’t give me the Obi-Wan “you’re my only hope” feels it should have.
Obi-Wan Kenobi Age Rating for Kids
Just in time for summer, the Obi-Wan Kenobi runtime of 52 minutes for Episode 1 and 39 minutes for Episode 2 set up for a family TGIW night in this summer. (Remember those good old TGIF nights around the TV?) And with the bonus of streaming exclusively on Disney+, your family has the magical pause button at your fingertips, perfect for littler Star Wars fans.
Full of action, Star Wars creatures and humor, this show is not quite Baby Yoda enticing for young kids as The Mandalorian, but there is a bit of a kid friendly draw. But with an age rating of TV-14, this new Star Wars show certainly has some raised red flags. However, this show’s first two episodes really set up Obi-Wan Kenobi to be more on the same level as the old school Star Wars movies. Very mild in language, adult themes, violence, suspense and gore.
The 2022 Star Wars mini series is very comparable to The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett streaming series as well as on par with the original Star Wars trilogy (Episodes IV-VI) versus the latest Star Wars trilogy (Episodes VII-IX). Disney+ is catering to Ewan McGregor fans (hello, parents!) as well as younger Padawans for a much more family friendly at home release.
This Star Wars original television series features 6 episodes.
The 2022 Star Wars television mini series is rated TV-14 for “violence” on Disney+, one of the highest age ratings given to a live action Star Wars release so far.
No, this Star Wars mini series has no end credit scenes to watch for.
Based on my Obi-Wan Kenobi parents guide and mom review above, this parent movie reviewer would not recommend Obi-Wan Kenobi to kids younger than the age of 5-6 years old.
Considering the full PG rating breakdown explained above, this parent movie reviewer would not recommend Obi-Wan Kenobi television series to kids younger than the age of 5-6 years old. Thankfully Star Wars looked back to it’s old roots for this Obi-Wan show (at least for the first two episodes), catering more towards a full family experience that includes younger kids as part of the action too.
I still highly recommend parents prescreening the Obi-Wan Kenobi for the appropriateness of the violence and suspense levels for your kids, since all television age ratings are not the same for all families.
The Overall
Star Wars nostalgic fans, rejoice. At least for the first two episodes, Ewan McGregor doesn’t disappoint. Answering some key questions and filling huge plot holes in the Star Wars universe, Obi-Wan Kenobi shows that a Ewan McGregor ages like a fine wine and is in no way bantha fodder. While certainly a fan serviced show in every aspect, Star Wars has a potential build on top of a legacy foundation, instead of watered down content for a quick Disney+ streaming grab. An easily digestible show compared to a Sarlaac one, that keeps generations of Star Wars fans coming back.
Not as powerful as The Mandalorian (I mean, Grogu…) by any means, but better than The Book of Boba Fett. Obi-Wan Kenobi certainly has potential to touch Star Wars fans in a Obi-say WHAT?! way. Still missing the WOW factor for me. Maybe this series could benefit from a few Jedi mind tricks. No end credit scenes so far. Now lightsabers crossed that the next 4 episodes deliver the same Star Wars caliber that fans are hoping for.
Follow Obi-Wan Kenobi on social media:
- Website: https://ondisneyplus.disney.com/show/obi-wan-kenobi
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/obiwankenobiofficial
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/obiwankenobi
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/obiwankenobi/
- #ObiWanKenobi
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I was invited to screen this film in exchange for Obi-Wan Kenobi Review | Safe for Kids? All photos courtesy of Disney. Be sure to follow Raising Whasians for more movie updates, celebrity interviews, entertainment and behind-the-scenes info!
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