Movie Review – Solo: A Star Wars Story

I have been a huge fan of the Star Wars franchise since I was five years old, when Star Wars: A New Hope was released. I once owned a reasonable Star Wars toy collection, featuring many of the ships, vehicles, and accessories, as well as most of the action figures released at that time. I would often save up just enough money to purchase the latest figure. It has been a dream of mine to review a Star Wars film, and finally that moment is here.

SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY is the second spin-off film from the Star Wars film franchise. Where the first spin-off film, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, focused on the desperate and tragic plan to transport and deliver battle station plans into the right hands, Solo is essentially the origin story of Han Solo (who, for those unfamiliar, is one of the main characters from the “original Star Wars trilogy” (episodes IV-VI), and Star Wars (Episode VII): The Force Awakens). Most would assume that this film would explore more backstory, or present an origin story for Han. Questions like: When did Han meet Chewbacca? or Will we witness the famous Kessel Run? How and when was Han introduced to the smuggling lifestyle? and so on. Director Ron Howard chose to tell Han’s story through the interactions and involvement of the supporting cast – the people, places, and things that Han encounters along the way condition and shape him into the man he is (or was) today.

The film begins with Han Solo (Alden Ehrenreich) and his romantic interest, Qi’ra (Emilia Clarke), attempting to flee from their current entanglements and Han’s demanding employer Lady Proxima (voice of Linda Hunt,), with a plan to relocate and begin a life together. Unfortunately, they are separated – Han escapes, while Qi’ra is captured and detained. Time passes, and Han is seeking secure employment, while hoping for an opportunity to become a pilot, so he can return and rescue Qi’ra. Han tags along with a group of smugglers: Rio Durant (voice of Jon Favreau), Val (Thandie Newton), and their leader Beckett (Woody Harrelson). Han is later thrown together with his soon-to-be best friend and co-pilot Chewbacca (Joonas Suotamo), then he enlists the help of Lando Calrissian (Donald Glover) and Lando’s co-pilot L3-37 (Phoebe Waller-Bridge). Meanwhile, Han’s beloved Qi’ra has been recruited by Dryden Vos (Paul Bettany), a near-human crime lord with a dark past.

Much like the film The Wizard of Oz, Solo centers around it’s central character, while showcasing all the supportive characters the central character encounters along the way. In order for Han to become the character first introduced in Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, it becomes essential that he should encounter these situations and acquaint himself with these individuals. While experiencing the rough and distrustful lifestyle of a smuggler from Beckett, Solo also learns how to love from afar – Qi’ra becoming his inspiration and motivation to continue.

SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY has plenty of action to help maintain viewer interest. An intense train robbery sequence provides prolonged tension and excitement when the smugglers cross paths with pirates and marauders, all competing for the same prize. The obligatory space ship chases and battles are appropriately topped off with the first appearance of the Millennium Falcon. Anthony Daniels is among the cast of this film, establishing him as the only actor to have contributed to every Star Wars film to date. Warwick Davis also returns to the franchise, as 2018 marks the 30th anniversary for Davis and director Ron Howard’s collaboration on the film Willow.

SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY is worthy of inclusion into the Star Wars ‘family’ of films, but as far as identifying as a Star Wars spin-off film, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is a better tale and a better film. Solo is certainly worth a viewing, and is highly recommended to any and all the Star Wars fans out there.