Star Wars fatigue? What are you talking about? Bring on the far reaches of the galaxy far far away! If I had to pick a fave character from the franchise it’d be between Chewie, Leia, and Han. So you’re telling me we’re getting a film focused entirely on two of those? No really, bring it on!!
Alden Ehrenreich (that kid who completely stole Hail Caesar! out from under about a dozen A list stars) stars as that smug smuggler and scruffy looking nerf herder that Harrison Ford made us fall in love with. It’s approx ten years before he’d ever meet a Jedi and in order to rescue his first love Qi’ra (Emilia Clarke) from her life of servitude, he’s gotta make the famed Kessel run in 12 parsecs. Along the way he teams up with a handful of characters varying in range on the shady scale: Lando Calrissian (Donald Glover), Beckett (Woody Harrselson) and of course, Chewbaca the Wookie (Joonas Suotamo).
I actually love the idea of these spin off films. The Star Wars galaxy is so vast and rich, it’s nice to hear some stories from its far corners. It’s especially refreshing to have a film that’s pure fun without the weight of the saga-the fate of the galaxy isn’t in their hands. It’s just some scrappy little nobody trying to survive, in a classic heist film that just so happens to star some of the most iconic characters to ever hit the big screen.
I had such a blast watching it (all three times). So many little moments made me smile. So many subtle throwbacks to the films we love, while still feeling entirely like its own thing. But the true brilliance I feel was in the casting. Ehrenreich truly is Han Solo: the mischief in his eye, the smirk, the attitude, the arrogance and swagger. It’s all there. Speaking of swagger? Donald Glover as Lando. Also perfection, with a more classy and refined style. Bonus points for Woody Harrelson while playing the typical character he always plays but having him seamlessly integrated to the Star Wars universe. Add in Paul Bettany calling in a favor from director Ron Howard to play a truly devious villain and yeah absolute perfection in casting all around.
You know, haters gonna hate, but if you can just let go and sit back and have fun, this movie can be everything you want it to be. It certainly was for this gal.
Solo: A Star Wars Story – \m/ \m/ \m/ \m/