Solo review

Well the first and maybe only origin story for the Star Wars franchise is out now.

 

Solo: A Star Wars Story.


I went into this film with very low expectations. Mostly due to the troubles with story, director swapping, the cast stories, the knowledge that any peril Han would be in was pointless as we all know he (Chewie and Lando) would all survive, and the fact I didn’t feel the need the back story of Han Solo.


I left feeling pretty entertained.

PLOT

This is the story of how Han goes from a street rat on Corellia to becoming the beginnings of a profitable smuggling career pre Mos Eisley in New Hope. Along the way we get how he meets Chewie, gains his signature DL-44 pistol, see how he wins the Falcon from Lando and of course flies the Kessel Run. Yeah it checks all those boxes and a few more. This isn’t spoiler territory here we all saw this in the trailers. This is all done within a heist story about stealing Coaxium, or spaceship hyper fuel for the Crimson Dawn crime syndicate.

The Great Train Robbery: A Star Wars Story

Han, Chewie, Lando, Woody Harrleson and Daenerys Targaryen (Han’s first love interest) form a team to go steal some Coaxium. Along the way all the Han stuff happens that I explained above. Once again no spoiler there we all saw this happen in the trailers. Then there is the minor twist to the heist, which we should all see coming like most heist movies.

 

IS IT GOOD?

It was a pretty enjoyable film. It checked all the Star Wars boxes we want (droids, comedy hits, gun fights, space battles etc.). It gives an on screen backstory to a beloved character. It has more Chewie screen time most of the other Star Wars films (he is my favorite and I always want more Chewie screen time). Sure, it struggles at first but within the first ½ hour the story and our main characters find their way. Donald Glover’s Lando is fantastic! Alden Ehrenreich doesn’t seem like “our” Han Solo at first, but like the story, he finds his way pretty well after the first hour. There is a great musical mashup of New Hope and Empire during the Kessel Run that was just a real delight. There is also an amazing cameo that I never saw or thought would ever happen. It really is a pretty damn enjoyable film not too heavy, not too light and nowhere near as polarizing as the last Star Wars film.

 

Donald Glover as Lando was spot on

But Ian!! We knew all the main events were going to happen. There are no real surprises here.

But Ian!! Why did all this happen to Han over the span of like a week?!?!?

But Ian!! The origin story of Han Solo wasn’t necessary!

But Ian!! How is this guy Han Solo?!?! Harrison Ford is Han Solo not this Alden guy!

But Ian!! Lower than expected box office numbers, Ron Howard being brought in to reshoot, filming problems a luke warm reception!!

 

Yeah I get all this. We all get all this. Tune it out and go see the damn movie! Even if it isn’t perfect it is still a Star Wars movie. We want more of those don’t we? This is what we get until the next big Episode. Turn off the uber fanboy and just try and enjoy it. I did and it works.  Solo is an enjoyable heist movie set in the Star Wars universe. Two bits of film I enjoy together in the same place.