Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018)

Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018)

2018 PG-13 135 Minutes

Action | Adventure | Science Fiction

Through a series of daring escapades deep within a dark and dangerous criminal underworld, Han Solo meets his mighty future copilot Chewbacca and encounters the notorious gambler Lando Calrissian.

Overall Rating

6 / 10
Verdict: Good

User Review

  • Solo: A Star Wars Story may be wholly unnecessary but remains another enjoyable ride on the Millenium Falcon. If ever there was a franchise film with major production issues, this is it. "Fired" directors, tight deadline, unfinished script...suffice to say the force was not used wisely. However, bring in the experienced Ron Howard to get the job done and credit to him for actually crafting an entertaining blockbuster. A young Han Solo joins a smuggling crew to acquire coaxium and deliver it to the ominous Crimson Dawn syndicate. Yes, we get it. No one asked for this spinoff and most viewers couldn't really care. But guess what? We got it. So stop complaining, sit back and enjoy this galactic adventure. Expectations were pretty low, the buzz for this flick was minimal and I think that helped. The character of Solo is beloved by many fans, and his backstory is thoroughly explored. Chronicling how he became the galaxy's best pilot, how he obtained his name, how he met Chewbacca and how he founded the Millenium Falcon. Little droplets of nostalgia are splashed across this minimised adventure that will appeal to newcomers and fans. The sci-fi aesthetics blends well with the western story which enhances the narrative's pacing substantially. Ehrenreich encapsulated Solo extremely well, occasionally he tries too hard to imitate Ford's iconic portrayal through over accentuated body movements, but for the most part he did well. Glover as Calrissian was inspired. The visual effects were exceptional (as one would expect) with innovative set pieces and colossal architecture, making for some imaginative world building (particularly the gloriously intense Kessel Run segment). The story itself is light with a sense of galactic buoyancy, although the third act includes so much double-crossing that it comes across as extremely messy, as if twists had to exist for the sake of it. The lack of a clear formidable antagonist was also noticeable. It is unfortunate that this film is shrouded with the "cash grab" vibe and at the end of the day, it is. However the change of tone is a welcomed addition to the franchise.