They pulled it off! Despite the director change and the “creative differences” and the reshoots, Solo: A Star Wars Story is not only a coherent film, it’s a film that lives up to the legacy of the best Star Wars character, hands down: that loveable scoundrel, Han Solo.
Solo is a prequel done right. We get to see those legendary events referred to in the original trilogy, which is what you’d expect. But what you can’t count on, and what Solo delivers, it that those moments live up to the hype AND fit into a grand adventure that doesn’t feel like a dull connect-the-dots exercise the same way Episodes 1-3 did. Clearly, Lawrence Kasdan should have been writing all the Star Wars films. The script for Solo is a masterful work by Kasdan and his son Jon. The elder Kasdan has stated this was his last Star Wars script, which makes me sad mainly because that feels like the final nail in Han’s coffin.
At least we will always have Solo. While Alden Ehrenreich doesn’t exactly channel Harrison Ford, his take on Han is a credible version of the charming smuggler we know and love. Woody Harrelson is solid (as always) as Han’s mentor, and Emilia Clarke adds a lot as Han’s childhood sweetheart, but it’s Donald Glover who steals the show as a note-perfect Lando Calrissian (and kudos to both Glover and the Kasdans for maintaining Lando’s hard-A spin on Han’s name). Here’s hoping that rumoured Lando spinoff gets greenlit soon. Lando’s so much cooler than the bumbling Boba Fett, whose spinoff is already in production!
Don’t been dissuaded by the (relatively) poor box office results. Solo: A Star Wars Story is a worthy addition to the Star Wars canon and a great way to spend an afternoon at the movies, which is, after all, what the original Star Wars aspired to be.
ASSHOLES WATCHING MOVIES 
I loved Solo and I really enjoying reading a positive review. I have a feeling that when this is released on DVD people will regret not going to watch it at the cinema. Well they only have another 18 months for episode 9. Sean speaks the truth, go see this movie today.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve been a bit reluctant to see this… not just because of all the reported production troubles, but I think I’m suffering from Star Wars burnout. I’m pleased to read a positive review, but I still can’t get excited about seeing it.
LikeLiked by 3 people
My husband will be happy to hear this. He wants to see it, but can’t get either me or son to go see it with him. After reading your post, maybe I’ll reconsider. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
I really enjoyed Solo A Star Wars Story as well. It turned out to be a much better film than I expected, and was a fun action packed adventure.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I didn’t enjoy it as much as I hoped I would after reading lots of “it’s so much fun!” comments from the opening weekend crowd, but it’s a lot better than it has any right to be considering the behind-the-scenes woes. Maybe I’ll warm to it more when it comes to Blu-ray.
LikeLike
The New York Times ran a collection of short reviews under the funny headline “They Had Mixed Feelings About This”. What I got from reading those reviews was that the critics who were Star Wars fans either enjoyed it or really enjoyed it and the ones who weren’t didn’t. And that told me what I wanted to know. If fans like it (and we don’t automatically like everything just because it’s “Star Wars”) then it’s worth seeing.
LikeLike
I’m not a Star Wars fan at all but this was my favourite of them all, a lot of fun.
LikeLike
Not a Star Wars fan, but am glad you got a good result!
LikeLike
Yay! I’m so glad you enjoyed this. Our taste in movies seems to be aligned, and I wanted so much to enjoy this film. The previews look great and now I’m looking forward to it. I’ll let my husband know it’s been AWM approved. 🙂
LikeLike
I enjoyed the film. Sure, it had a few flaws but I had fun and I liked a lot of the stuff involving Han, Chewie, and Lando. Sucks that it’s not doing well in the box office although I think it could’ve been released on November and December just to give Star Wars fans a break.
LikeLike
Yep. I really enjoyed this too. Had a blast. Pun may or maybe not intended
LikeLike
You forget the fans Boba Fett has. They are rabid. (I know these people. They want this Boba Fett movie bad.)
LikeLike
I’m happy you liked it…..but when the cheetah heard “I’m putting together a crew”,he showed me his claws like the lady did her fists to the Axe Gang in Kung Fu Hustle…..that line in any is a death knell to us…..
LikeLike
I liked it. I was reluctant as I too am suffering some Star Wars fatigue… but I took my kids and we really enjoyed it. The cast was really great. Woody Harrelson, Emilia (love her), Glover… they rocked it. 🙂
LikeLike
I’m glad you enjoyed it Sean, I have mixed feelings about it. I think overall it just didn’t excite me but a lot of people love it and I can respect that.
LikeLike
The credits were hardly rolling when I told Paul that this was what The Last Jedi should have been.
In related news, my hatred of that movie continues.
LikeLike
I couldn’t agree more!
LikeLike
Before I had the pleasure to sit down and watch the movie for myself, I read a bunch of reviews. Boy, was that a big mistake. I read reviews from an opion of being made up of B acting and all the way to Lando being an onscreen Flamer. I wanted nothing to do with the movie at first. but, that life long voice of a unconditional Star Wars fan was screaming at me to watch it. So I did. I am in agreement with you. It is not only one of the greatest Star Wars movies but one of the greatest movie hands down! I plant on watching it over and over much to my wife`s annoyance. Enjoyed your blog!
LikeLike
if was one of the best movies of 2018
i also like The Little Stranger
https://www.portalultautv.com/the-little-stranger-2018/
LikeLike
I liked it much more than I thought I would. The guy who played Solo didn’t channel Harrison Ford, but in my opinion he DID channel a young Jack Nicholson. It worked for the part.
LikeLike
Pingback: ASSHOLES WATCHING MOVIESGalaxy’s Edge