TV’s Frink said:
My least favorite scene in ANH was when Vader kills Obi-Wan. That scene totally blows because it forced unnecessary emotion on us, because Obi dies with someone he’s only in one scene with.The scene wasn’t emotional because of Vader/Obi-Wan, it was emotional because of Luke/Obi-Wan. They had a lot of history together, on-screen, and Obi-Wan was Luke’s mentor. As soon as Vader strikes Obi-Wan down, which happens very quickly, there is a quick cut to Luke’s reaction. The director understood that the most important aspect of the scene was Luke’s reaction to his mentor’s death.
There were cutaway shots to Leia, Chew, and Rey, but they all failed for various reasons.
I can understand Finn and Rey’s reaction because they just met the man but Chewie’s and Leia’s are what make the scene to me. We’ve never seen Chewie let out such a tormented yell and Leia feeling Han’s death through The Force was especially heartfelt because this is probably the first time she touched The Force for anything other than tactical foresight in a decade or two. Also you might have well said “These reactions all failed because not OT” because you know that’s what you wanted to say.