The criticism of ANH’s duel is totally bonkers to me. Aside from that unnecessary spin Obi-Wan makes, it looks fairly realistic. So when and why did this “The first duel is so poorly choreographed” schtick began?
People who know nothing about actual swordplay don’t like it because it’s a boring scene with two old men hitting sticks together, and the spin is their main excuse to claim the whole scene sucks.
For the record, I actually like the spin. It may be the only part of the scene that doesn’t make sense from the standpoint of real swordplay, but I feel that it shows how old and out of practice he was. Like, in his younger days he may have grown a habit of having a bit of fun while fighting (“I’ll try spinning, that’s a good trick” 😉).
…maybe it’s the fact that Vader should rip through Obi-Wan’s guard in like 3 seconds.
I wouldn’t call that a fact. Plus, that wasn’t the point of the fight or the scene.