Don’t get cocky kid, but Solo: A Star Wars Story is actually great!
Solo’s first standalone movie delivers on fast paced action, realistic character development, and a fun portrayal of the Han Solo character. Believe us: it’s true…all of it.
Despite the many fears around the production of Solo: A Star Wars Story, Disney and Ron Howard have produced an exciting movie which not only felt very Star Wars, but also very Han Solo. A great performance by Alden Ehrenreich showcased Solo’s initial meeting with Chewbacca (Joonas Suotamo), his dynamic bond with Lando (Donald Glover), and even how Han came to get the name ‘Solo’.
The movie felt very similar to Force Awakens at times: it’s the story of young and idealistic Han scrounging by, but wanting to see the world. Like J.J. Abram’s portrayal of Rey and Finn, Solo follows the developing relationship between Han and Qi’ra (Emilia Clarke) and their scrapes with both the Empire and crime cartels. Their bond is conveyed in a realistic way, with many twists, and shows just how far Star Wars romance has come from “Anakin, you’ve grown…So have you, grown more beautiful that is.” This relationship is the undercurrent of the whole movie, and always present, if not always priority.
Woody Harrelson is also great in his role as the grizzled, more experienced smuggler. He plays pretty much the same character as what he does in the Hunger Games, and provides the same type of support to Han that Haymitch gives to Katniss. Although, it’s not just humans that steal the show! L3-37 (who is prominent in Last Shot) is great as Lando’s equality-seeking protocol droid. With comedic lines as well delivered as K-2SO, L3 is the Dobby of droids. Lando is obviously great, with Glover perfectly encapsulating his suave mannerisms. His cloaks are featured prominently in the Millennium Falcon too, even though we know that Han quickly changes this once he wins the ship.
The Millennium Falcon’s importance to both Han and Lando is presented really well, with some touching moments throughout the movie. Just like how Rogue One avoided many Star Wars conventions, the franchise’s iconic music isn’t played until at least half way through the movie, and is then used well to add that exhilaration to moments that deserve it, or relate to the original trilogy. This just adds to what is already a brilliant Star Wars story.
Ron Howard’s movie also features the reappearance of one of the saga’s most liked, but mysterious, villains. Their surprise cameo raised a lot of questions and hinted at future appearances in the growing franchise.
Solo: A Star Wars Story, despite its shaky production, is quintessential Star Wars. It’s a rollercoaster of exciting action, plot twists and protagonists up against huge odds. But most importantly, it captures Han’s confidence while maintaining his flair. Alden Ehrenreich is not Harrison Ford, but Ehrenreich shows that there is life after death for the most loved scoundrel of them all.