Ryan Shoots First: Solo: A Star Wars Story

Solo: A Star Wars Story is a film that has everything going against it, I would say more so than any Star Wars film in history and that includes the prequels. So much was working against this film it probably could have been called Walking on Eggshells: A Star Wars Story.

To go back a bit even when the movie was first announced there was a collective “meh” from fans and a very audible “no!” from others. Common complaints like “has no reason to be made” and “iconic character no one can fill” filled up message boards and podcasts. Still many seemed content to give it the benefit of the doubt. Then the movie lost its directors in what seemed to be very late in the game, original directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller did not seem to be delivering on the vision Lucasfilm wanted for the film so very deep in production the decision was made to make a change. Insiders noted they appeared to be taking the film in a predominantly comedic direction. Veteran director Ron Howard was brought in to salvage the project and do extensive reshoots. Still, many fans kept the hope as Gareth Edwards had a similar issue with tone and reshoots on Rogue One and that was well received.

Then The Last Jedi was released, easily the most polarizing Star Wars film to date and fans split directly down the middle some saying it was the peak of Star Wars storytelling and some claiming it ruined the entire franchise. I heard many fans express their disgust by saying Solo would be the first Star Wars movie they would not see in theatres. With all of this coming to a head Solo seemed to be fighting an uphill battle. So how was the movie?

It’s refreshing, light and fun, as I and my wife were driving to the theatre it didn’t feel like going to a Star Wars movie. I didn’t have to fight to get tickets weeks in advance, there was no mass of fans waiting outside for hours leading up to the film. No news cameras waiting to gauge reactions as fans exited the theatre, it was refreshing. Star Wars movies have always been events, grand spectacles where everything else in the world stops. Solo just seemed to come out and walking in I felt relief. Maybe we have reached the point where Star Wars movies can just exist and not need to be the greatest one ever.

Solo does not redefine Star Wars, it doesn’t change the way we look at the Original Trilogy, it does not need to fill decades-long plot holes, it just gets to be a fun adventure that takes one of the most iconic characters in cinematic history and give us a well-orchestrated glimpse into what events have made this man. That is where Solo shines brightest, seeing what makes Han Solo the jaded, complex scoundrel with heart of gold he is in a New Hope checked all the boxes for me. There are multiple small subtle moments in the film that coupled with great swells in the score really put a smile on my face. I 100% buy his ideals and motivations in Episode 4. Alden Ehrenreich steps into the infamous knee-high boots of the iconic Han Solo and while it takes him some time to settle into the role he expresses charm and a wide-eyed wonder I feel enhances the character in this place in Han’s arch. If you give him some time to grow on you by the end you will be rewarded. Alden really settles in when he meets his eternal partner Chewbacca. Chewy who has always been the man behind the man gets the most screen time and character work of any of his previous films and he shines, if anyone “steals the show” for me it is Chewy.

We mentioned above how many fans were struggling to buy into Solo but if there was one thing that kept their interest in the lead up it was the casting of Donald Glover as that smooth talking gambler Lando Calrissian. Glover delivers on the hype as he brings the smooth talking and bravado but also the “checks his mouth can’t cash” reality behind Lando, he is not in the movie as much as some would have liked but when he is on screen he excels. The rest of the cast is serviceable, no one really brings down the film they all fill their roles nicely and aide or hinder Han in his journey towards the cantina on Tatooine. Woody Harrelson does a great job as Beckett the elder image of what Han is likely to become if he continues down this path, but this is clearly Han’s film, thinking now there really is not a scene in the movie Alden is not in. If you clocked his amount of time characters are on screen it would easily be vast majority of the movie.

The story is light and fun, filled with action and entertaining set pieces as the heist takes shape. Highlighted by the train sequence and the Kessel run that is featured in the trailers. If you can release the notion that every Star Wars movie needs to beat out Empire I think you will enjoy yourself as I did. Han is a complex character in Star Wars, he clearly is idealistic and has dreams but it’s easy to see he has been through some stuff, events that have taken that flame and snuffed it out until Luke and the plight of the rebellion reignite that fire. Solo stands to reinforce, influence and inform that character in a way I found very satisfying.

Solo will not redefine Star Wars but the sooner we get past the idea that every Star Wars film from now until the sun burns out needs to change the world the sooner we can sit back and enjoy a fun summer action movie set in a galaxy far far away.