Jedis Deflecting Blaster Bolts

[Orius]

I would also count RotJ as the first time we see the deflection trick, maybe the remote counts, but RotJ is the first time Luke uses the ability in an actual fight.

As for Obi-Wan's less physical training, I think it's partly the approach Lucas took to making the films. When made the first Star Wars, I think maybe he was more inspired by Western style sowrd duels or something. With the prequels, he seems to have included more martial arts into the mix, with the duels being more physical, lots of super leaping and stuff like that.
And special effects probably plays a part too; with the prequels he could do stuff that was more over the top than the originals, since he can rely less on stop-motion and models and more on computers.

 

[Bront]

I thought Obi-Wan does it durring one of the scenes in the Death Star?

 

[Thornir Alekeg]

I thought Obi-Wan does it durring one of the scenes in the Death Star?

No, as I recall Obi-Wab is never shot at in the Death Star. He moves unseen through the Death Star until he in confronted by Vader. The stormtroopers watch the battle between them and do not interfere.

 

[Kaledor]

Does Luke really "deflect" the lasers in ANH on the Falcon?
I remember it as more of an absorption.
Perhaps the training drone is designed to have a low-energy laser (like a stun setting)...
This would make it an easier force trick (maybe) and the actual delfection of laser bolts as seen (multiple times) in RotJ is the first tim Luke really gets the force mojo working.

 

[Klaus]

Does Luke really "deflect" the lasers in ANH on the Falcon?
I remember it as more of an absorption.
Perhaps the training drone is designed to have a low-energy laser (like a stun setting)...
This would make it an easier force trick (maybe) and the actual delfection of laser bolts as seen (multiple times) in RotJ is the first tim Luke really gets the force mojo working.

They are set to stun (after all, he does hit Luke a couple of times and he doesn't lose a hand or anything).

 

[Remus Lupin]

Yeah, losing a hand would suck.

 

[GoodKingJayIII]

I thought Obi deflected a blaster bolt from the thug in the Mos Eisley cantina.

It's hard to tell with the close-up camera angle, but a couple blaster bolts can be heard and he waves his lightsaber around a few times.

Of course, that's hindsight looking back at the movie. If I saw that in the theaters without any frame of reference, I probably wouldn't know what the hell happened. So yeah, ROTJ is the first time we really see it.

 

[Grymar]

My 3 year old watches the original trilogy about 4 times a week, so I've re-memorized them.

Yes, I'd say that in Star Wars the drone shots are absorbed by Luke's lightsaber. The first time we really see it is in RotJ.

And power creep isn't just something that applies to 4e...the Jedi went from being normal warriors who have an extra sense to Jackie Chan-esque super fighters in the prequels to even more in the games. In trailers for the upcoming Force Unleashed game...well, see for yourself. http://www.gametrailers.com/player/21832.html

Watch the Obi-Wan vs. Anakin fight in Revenge of the Sith, then Vader versus Luke in Return of the Jedi...Vader took a serious age penalty during the twenty years.

 

[Remus Lupin]

Well, don't forget, he's also a quadruple amputee lugging around a big metal body. And Obi Wan really DID take a major age penalty*!

*However, somebody help my memory here: Obi Wan in the prequals couldn't be older than 30 or so at the time of episode III, but he's at least 60 or 70 in episode IV. Shouldn't he have been closer in age/ability to Qui Gon by the time of episode IV?

 

[Ilium]

Well, don't forget, he's also a quadruple amputee lugging around a big metal body. And Obi Wan really DID take a major age penalty*!

*However, somebody help my memory here: Obi Wan in the prequals couldn't be older than 30 or so at the time of episode III, but he's at least 60 or 70 in episode IV. Shouldn't he have been closer in age/ability to Qui Gon by the time of episode IV?

Yeah, well. Living on Tatooine can really age a guy. It's all the sun and dry wind.