Okay, all cards on the Sabacc table. I entered the theater with tepid interest. In pre-planning for this review, I floated titles like “So Low” and “Smuggler’s Blues.” My friend, who invited me to the screening, echoed my sentiment that this may be the first “non-event” Star Wars movie. As the lights darkened and the familiar blue words flashed on the screen, I sat with apprehension, mostly due to the well-documented drama behind the camera as well as the vitriol being spewed on social media. A certain Sith Lord would have found my lack of faith disturbing. I did take solace in that I unequivocally trust the reliable direction of OG Star Wars fan Ron Howard, who took the Bantha reins from fired directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller due to “creative differences” with Lucasfilm’s Grand Moff Kathleen Kennedy.
What is abundantly evident is that Solo: A Star Wars Story is a love letter to the scruffy, Nerf-herding scoundrel, crafted by Star Wars veteran Lawrence Kasdan and son Jonathan. The first act of the film, set on the ship-building yards of Corellia, is where we meet young Han, played by Alden Ehrenreich, and his girlfriend/fellow thief Kira, played by Emilia Clarke. Full of exposition, the first third of the film seems to drag on in spite of a speeder chase and narrow escape in which Han elects to join the Galactic Empire as means to get off Corellia, leaving Kira behind. It’s when Han meets up with a band of smugglers, led by Woody Harrelson, that the film finds its footing and the pace quickens. Harrelson’s character Becket inadvertently sets up events leading to Han meeting Chewie, where they are forced into their first team-up. It’s a great scene that I won’t spoil. Han and Chewie then join Becket’s group with Westworld fan favorite Thandie Newton to pull off the Great Hovertrain Robbery. It’s the first of multiple thrilling heists with double-dealings that send Han down the path to scoundrelship.
Throughout the film, we are introduced to setting and characters that provide copious amounts of fan service while expanding the mythology of Han Solo. Some of the most exciting scenes involve events referenced in the original trilogy. Seriously, I wanted to be sitting at that fateful game of Sabacc where Han won the Millennium Falcon from fellow scoundrel Lando Calrissian, played to perfection by Donald Glover. Or who wouldn’t have loved to ride along during The Kessel Run, which, according to Han, made The Falcon famous? Both scenes are a blast to watch, and are definitely worth the price of admission, as is a character reveal that caused an audible gasp across the theater.
Many fans will be split on the noteably missing references to both the Jedi and the Force, neither of which have a place in this part of the galaxy. Solo: A Star Wars Story delivers on all fronts with great casting, a stirring score, and thrilling action scenes. The film will surprise many fans who can put aside preconceptions and open up their hearts to a self proclaimed “terrible person,” who eventually makes good. Most importantly it answers the burning questions of how Han got his last name, or who gave him his signature blaster pistol. Okay, maybe not burning questions, but good to know!
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