Star Wars Disney+ series, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Andor, hit physical media soon and manage to prove UHD is the best way to watch them.
Blessedly, Disney is continuing to roll out more physical releases for their Disney+ exclusive series; specifically Marvel and Star Wars. Last year brought Star Wars fans the first two seasons of The Mandalorian, but the next wave of releases brings us Obi-Wan Kenobi and Andor.
Just to get this out of the way, I won’t be fully re-reviewing these series for this. The impressive 4K transfer isn’t likely to change your overall opinions on the shows, though they do provide an excellent excuse to revisit them and (if necessary) give them another shot.
Suffice it to say, I greatly enjoyed both of these shows for dramatically different reasons. Honestly, it doesn’t even seem right to compare the two as they’re about as different as can be in terms of story, production, and overall execution. And yet, both manage to feel like Star Wars in their own way and deliver memorable moments that have stuck with me since they first released…
Crazy Old Wizard
In the case of Obi-Wan, it’s a show that nails the heart of what Star Wars is. It captures that mythology/grand fantasy aspect, while delivering emotional themes and character moments. While it struggles a bit on the execution side of things (something the Ultra HD release both improves on and exacerbates), it features numerous moments I’ve come back to over and over in my mind.
This is pretty much how I felt re-watching the series for it’s 4K release. Some of the emotional beats (especially the interactions with little Leia) managed to hit even harder this time around. The action worked better as well, mostly because I could actually see it now!
One of the biggest complaints about the show’s finale on the production side of things, was how dark it was. The first time I watched it, I remember struggling to see all that was happening on the screening, and even having to adjust the settings on the TV to make things out better (something I hate doing).
The Ultra HD, however, significantly improves this aspect. It’s got a super sharp image and allows for deep black tones without crushing, which allowed more distinct details to shine through in those super dark sequences. I won’t say it eliminated the problem, as I still feel those scenes are a little too dimly lit, but the difference was certainly noticeable.
It’s another reason why I love getting physical copies. Even as streaming services tout ‘4K’ movies/shows, it’s almost impossible to actually get there. The compression needed for streaming ensures you can’t get a true 4K experience, even with super fast internet. With the physical disc, however, you don’t have to worry about that, and Obi-Wan Kenobi greatly benefits from this.
That said, it also emphasizes some of its weaker production aspects. The crystal clarity of the image makes the constant frenetic motions of the camera even more noticeable. It also made the ships/vehicles feel…off. It’s hard to describe, mostly because I can’t quite put my finger on what it is, but some of the VFX work in regards to the vehicles just aren’t clicking. It was something I noticed while it was airing, and it’s only made more apparent in the 4K release.
Reluctant Rebel
As for Andor…well, I can’t say enough great things about it. Seriously, it’s such a phenomenal show, with layers and depth that are peeled away with each viewing. I never once imagined we’d be getting a “prestige” type of show in the galaxy far, far away, but that’s exactly what Andor delivered. From compelling characters, whip-smart dialog, cinematic production values, and a thrilling story, it just brings the goods on all fronts.
For all the political intrigue and multiple character/plot threads weaving throughout, Andor still managed to feel uniquely Star Wars. I know some disagree with that sentiment, feeling it didn’t quite go far enough. Personally, I think it struck a perfect balance. It fully captured that “lived-in” universe film Lucas was going for with the original film(s) while infusing episodes with enough fantastical whimsy and lore to sit nicely within the whole franchise.
It’s great, and if you missed it, for whatever reason, the Ultra HD release leaves you with little excuse to not check it out. It’s a stunning transfer, and considering the show was already among the most beautiful original series on Disney+, it’s impressive how the details shine through even better on the 4K disc.
From the dirt and grime of Aldhani and Ferrix, to the pristine aesthetic of Coruscant and Narkina-5, the amount of detail in every frame is crisp and clear, with vibrant colors. The already impressive “Eye of Aldhani” sequence, is almost unreal in 4K. I thought my eyeballs might melt…
All in all, Andor‘s 12 episodes manage to impress even upon multiple viewings and the true 4K experience with the physical release makes an already great thing, even better.
Bonus Features
On top of the three concept art cards that are included, both releases come loaded with some bonus features (and audio commentaries) that are exclusive to the discs. You can’t find these on Disney+, so they offer a fun bonus treat for those picking them up. Here’s what each release includes:
Obi-Wan Kenobi:
Duels of Fate: Obi-Wan vs Vader – Deborah Chow, Ewan McGregor and Hayden Christensen examine the lightsaber battles of Obi-Wan and Darth Vader.
The Dark Times: Villains – Uncover the lore of the deadly Inquisitors, and Darth Vader’s iconic look.
Designing The Galaxy – Say hello to Leia’s loveable sidekick, Lola, then explore the new planets of the Star Wars galaxy.
Director’s Commentary – Join director Deborah Chow for an exclusive audio commentary on the action-packed finale.
Andor:
Ferrix Part 1: Imperial Occupation – Tony Gilroy, Kathleen Kennedy and Diego Luna discuss the series’ origins.
Aldhani: Rebel Heist – Join the shoot in Scotland with character spotlights, rebel training, stunts, a VFX breakdown and more.
Coruscant: Whispers of Rebellion – Explore the stories of ISB agent Dedra, Senator Mon Mothma and spymaster Luthen Rael.
Narkina 5: One Way Out – Uncover the Empire’s penal system and the prison’s stark look, get to know Kino Loy, and view VFX breakdowns.
Ferrix Part 2: Fight the Empire – Tony Gilroy, Diego Luna, cast and crew reveal the making of the season finale.
Obi-Wan got an hour long making of special on Disney+ last year, but Andor hasn’t gotten any such treatment (and neither got any Art of books). So these featurettes give our first real good look at how that production came together, while also offering some slightly new insight for Kenobi fans.
By and large, they all seem like you’re pretty typical BTS features. They have some interesting moments and provide some unexpected details, but there’s nothing too mind-blowing here either. They don’t offer a full, revelatory making of experience. Even so, if you’re curious about how the sausage gets made, and see how differently each production was handled, the bonus features do a solid job of presenting that.
Overall, there’s no real reason to skip out on either of these 4K releases. The picture quality is absolutely stunning and shows just how impressive these shows can be, while the bonus material serves as some extra bang for your buck.
While it took longer than some of us hoped for Disney to start giving us physical releases of these shows, they aren’t slouching when it comes to quality.
Both Obi-Wan Kenobi and Andor hit 4K Ultra HD on April 30, 2024.
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