Solo: A Star Wars Story is more than an origin story. It is a gift to true Star Wars fans. Keep reading for my spoiler-free family-focused review.
In my opinion, Han Solo is an American icon. I have been watching Solo in Star Wars movies my whole life so when he died in The Force Awakens, I cried like a baby. When I heard a Han Solo backstory/origin story was in the works, I was cautiously excited. Who could take over for Harrison Ford? Would they ruin his story? And yay! A Han Solo movie! I attended an early screening of the movie and I am very excited to share my thoughts with you.
We know Han Solo as a sarcastic and cocky smuggler who does the right thing while acting like he does not care. When we first meet Han in Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, he seems to be living a shallow life and flirting with disaster. It kind of makes you wonder how he got there. Solo gives us a backstory that is not just a fun ride where we get to see how Han Solo got his beginning, indeed his very name. It is also, unexpectedly, the story of how Han Solo helped the rebellion in its infancy. We see his heart in this movie. The heart that has lived a challenging and difficult life, but has not yet been hardened. We also get to see how Han secured the Millennium Falcon and met both Chewie and Lando Calrissian.
I was worried that this movie might involve physical romance since it is about a young man who is finding his way. That is always a concern when trying to bring children to see blockbuster movies. However, in true Star Wars form, this movie has no adult content aside from a couple kisses and light innuendo. Solo: A Star Wars Story is rated PG-13 for sequences of sci-fi action/violence. There is also no issue with profanity or gore. Solo is a film your family can enjoy together.
Solo: A Star Wars Story has a space-western feel to it and is full of fun, adventure, nostalgia, and action. Alden Ehrenreich portrays Han and although it took me a few scenes to warm up to him, I did. I thought he played a pretty good Han, but I was not 100% sold on his portrayal until I went home and re-watched Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope. Ehrenreich does not try to imitate Harrison Ford and that is probably why he does such a good job. Re-introducing myself to the Han we meet at the start of Episode IV (after watching Solo) felt completely natural. It was easy to see how the Han at the end of Solo could become the Han we meet in Episode IV.
Watching Donald Glover portray Lando Calrissian is like being transported back to the original movies. Glover is absolutely perfect as Lando. I wish he had more scenes because his performance was amazing to behold.
I think this movie is just what the Star Wars franchise needs. It has its dark moments, but it is witty and funny in the same way the first movies were. Solo: A Star Wars Story is exciting, creative, and holds a few surprises. As a Star Wars fan, I found the movie to be very fulfilling and satisfying. After all, seeing Han and Chewie seated at the controls of the Millennium Falcon together for the first time is kind of awesome. Go see this movie.
Rating: PG-13 for sequences of sci-fi action/violence
Scene After the Credits: No.
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