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Is “Solo: A Star Wars Story” a Disney cash grab? Yeah, pretty much. Is “Solo” worth seeing? Perhaps. Director Ron Howard took over completing “Solo” when original directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller were fired by Disney halfway through filming. Jonathan Kasdan and Lawrence Kasdan’s screenplay tells the origins of “Star Wars” beloved younger Han Solo, played by Alden Ehrenreich.
The Kasdan story occurs pretty much as unnecessary. Although darker and murky in context coupled with Ehrenreich’s charming breezy interpretation “Solo” really misses deepening the emergent Hero Han Solo in the “Star Wars” mythology. Alden’s good looks and smirking sense of humor lacks the gravitas of the selfish galactic thief’s reluctant nobler persona. Mostly, his performance reveals the narrative failings of the story. Too bad.
On the other hand, “Solo” has a gritty visual feel. The spectacular scene on the wintry planet by speeding monorail train to capture the prized fuel, coaxium, is breathtaking. Yet, we know that Han and Chewbacca, played by Joonas Suotamo, are never really in fatal peril. There is no authentic sense of danger in “Solo”, because we know that Han will meet his fate much later in “The Force Awakens”. As for dangerous, Ehrenreich lacks that edge that Harrison Ford possessed. This Solo is the “bad boy” wannabe.
Han’s thieving mentor is solid Woody Harrelson as charismatic Beckett. The grizzled Beckett’s advice to young Han is: “Assume everyone will betray you.” Nice. Now, that really inspires. Not. Much of “Solo” is the Hero’s narrative mess.
On the upside, I experienced that sense of wonder and nostalgia as Han, Chewie, and Lando Calrissian, played by amazing Donald Glover, race into hyper-drive making their legendary Kessel Run in the revered Millennium Falcon. Director Howard is best in his homage to the mythology. Although, he is often stymied with the “Solo” sequence in the “Star Wars” trilogies. Certain outcomes are predetermined.
Apparently, young orphaned Han grows up in the Crime Syndicate community ruled by Lady Proxima, the Jabba the Hutt look-like creature voiced by Linda Hunt. Proxima leverages the children and younglings as potential thieves. Among them are Han and Qi’ra, bold beautiful Emilia Clarke, who is the love of Han’s life. Han dreams of becoming a great pilot. He and Qi’ra plan their escape from the Syndicate. However, Qi’ra sacrifices capture for her lover’s escape.
3 years later, Han is an Imperial soldier after dismissal from the Imperial Pilot Academy for insubordination. He befriends Beckett, played by Harrelson. Beckett sees the younger version of himself in Han. Beckett is beholding to a bond to Crime boss Dryden Vos, sublimely evil Paul Bettany. Han rediscovers Qi’ra, who is now herself beholding to Dryden. Han and Qi’ra are still in love.
Perhaps, what restored my attention is their sweet love story. Of all the eye candy and galactic chases that has humanity. Although Han doesn’t see it, Clarke’s Qi’ra sees “the good man” within. That may be “Solo”‘s salvaging grace. Clarke gives heart to “Solo” amidst the flailing conspiracy and convoluted misdirects. She provides the sense of character and love. She also hints the intriguing surprise into the balance of the Force to come.
“Solo” is completely unnecessary. It retains a sense of fun. “Solo” is the innocuous entertaining cash grab that celebrates nostalgia. Too bad “Solo” doesn’t intend for the ambitious purpose as well.
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Originally Post on IMDB
Photo Credit Disney Movie
Watch the Official Movie Trailer Here