Solo: A Star Wars Story Movie Review: You May Need A Second Viewing
- Details
- Last Updated: Tuesday, 15 May 2018 21:11
- Written by Lupe Rodriguez Haas
Thankfully the Han Solo origins story has no Death Star and no rebellion. SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY is a heist movie, and the only two characters we're familiar with are Han Solo and his trusty side kick Chewbacca. Eveything else is fresh and new. The story by Lawrence Kasdan and son Jonathan Kasdan takes us to a galaxy far, far away from the Empire we've come to know in previous movies, and into the criminal underworld where no one can be trusted.
Ron Howard took over from directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller who departed over creative differences with Lucasfilm. The stand alone STAR WARS film plays it very safe. SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY starts out very slowly but it picks up pace when the heist is on. The action sequences are top notch and entertaining. The best part of course is when Han and Chewie take the helm of the Millenium Falcon, and run from the Star Destroyer.
When we first meet Han at the start of the movie, it drags. Frankly his backstory is a bit boring and unsatisfactory. The explanation of his origins seems like an easy go-to and typical explanation in the STAR WARS universe. The writers should've been more creative with Han's origins and the way he came to been known as Han Solo.
Alden Ehrenreich's young Han Solo is charismatic enough to win you over with subtle hints to Harrison Ford's Solo quips, but you never really feel like he totally nailed it like Donald Glover. Yet he's a character you root for and may be the more naive version of Solo.
Donald Glover's Lando Calrissian is the stand out in SOLO with a spot on interpretation of Billy Dee Williams' Lando. He gets the voice just right and mannerisms that you believe this could be Wiliams' younger self.
Another scene stealer is the lady droid, L3-37 played by Phoebe Waller-Bridge who brings a lot of humor to the movie.
The love story between Qi'ra and Solo is a little lacking, but their chemistry is off the charts, and Alden can sure give a good kiss.
As a huge STAR WARS fan and Han Solo groupie, I wanted to come out of this movie loving it, but SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY feels ordinary. However, I didn't appreciate ROGUE ONE until I saw it the second time so SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY deserves a second viewing that may change my opinion. Sometimes you have to separate yourself from the STAR WARS you've come to know and love, and view it as a truly stand alone film.
SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY opens May 25.
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