Going into Solo with an aura of skepticism isn't entirely unsurprising, considering its troubled production history and the common symptoms that plague prequels of any and all stripes. Honestly, I went into this expecting something like Ant-Man where the movie itself escapes all the production controversy relatively unscathed and comes out as a relatively solid flick. What I didn't expect was for this to be my favorite thing to hit the multiplexes with the Star Wars brand slapped on it since The Force Awakens back in 2015.
Going back to the Ant-Man comparison for a brief moment, this is another instance where many people would've loved to who have seen the original's directorial vision for this picture (myself included); however, I do find the fact that Disney/Lucasfilm made an inspired move by choosing journeyman filmmaker Ron Howard (mainly because he's probably the closest thing to what George Lucas might've been as an artist had he not decided to continue being active behind the camera, so to speak). It never overstays it's welcome, it keeps a brisk, steady pace and it knows when to balance out serious. All of the action sequences are gangbusters (the famous Kessel Run in particular is a rather tense smash-and-grab that perfectly justifies why someone like Han would become infamous). John Powell should also get credit for his excellent score. Granted, it does use the standard John Williams themes that everyone and their mothers know by heart; but, it doesn't rely on them and has plenty of unique energy in it's own right. Appropriately for the character and story, it's as rousing and swashbuckling as the film itself in many respects.
Of course, note should be made of the cast. Alden Ehrenreich turned out to be quite a charming choice as the young Han Solo, never trying too hard by trying to copy Harrison Ford's iconic work and carving out his own niche while also embodying the character's sarcastic confidence that made him such an icon to begin with. Emilia Clarke is charming as one of Han's old flames. Woody Harrelson has brings some more nuance than one would expect as Han's mentor. Even Paul Bettany's antagonist gets a moment or two to shine. Anyone hyped for Donald Glover's portrayal of a young Lando Calrissian is going to walk away a bit underwhelmed. His role here is basically a glorified cameo. Still, Glover is a ton of fun in the few scenes he does get (the scenes where he and Han play poker in particular are an absolute hoot).
If there's one thing I can this has in its favor over something like Rogue One (above everything else that makes this better than that pile of aggressive mediocrity), its that its clear this GETS Star Wars far better than . Some will accuse this of feeling like über expensive fan fiction like Rogue One; but, this doesn't feel as cynical or boring as that film did. If that film made the same mistake as the fandom's more pathetic members in grotesquely inflating the franchise into something grander than it actually is, this new one is perfectly in tune with why audiences fell in love with the galaxy far, far away in the first place: they're just fun space adventures with likable characters and a hearty sense of gusto. Plus, it doesn't try answer many of the sacred mysteries about this universe that are best left unanswered. Is it better than The Last Jedi? Probably not because TLJ takes some more risks and tries to be something more than fun popcorn entertainment. Then again, I'd be being disingenuous if I didn't say I had an absolute blast with this.
SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY gets a...
EXPERTLY DONE KESSEL RUN out of TEN
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