This past December, Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi opened up a can of worms among fanboys and marks that have not been absent from the Star Wars franchise since the prequels, that worm is non-other than the visceral hate for not only Star Wars but Disney as well. While personally loving Jedi, over the past few months, I have battled fanboys and less enthusiastic fans of the film regarding the film’s risky choices and overtone and the disdain have led to fans boycotting Disney and any Star Wars film.
In the middle of that disdain comes a film that has been dealt numerous bad hands during its production. Last week, I mentioned Deadpool 2 and the issues the film regarding change of directions and reshoots. Solo: A Star Wars Story dealt with even more. On top of its change of directors and reshoots, there were rumblings about Han Solo himself, Alden Ehrenreich needed acting classes to get through the filming. However, despite all the hardships, Solo: A Star Wars Story is an entertaining adventure that channels the original origins of the franchise, that it’s not about the odds, it’s about the notion that the heroes’ hope was the driving force to victory.
Solo tells the story of everyone’s favorite “stuck-up, half-witted, scruffy-looking nerf herder”, Han Solo. After 40 years of hearing about Han tell his story about gaining his previous Millennium Falcon and the famous story about the completion of the Kesel Run, fans finally were able to see these events on screen. Oh yeah, we also see Han and Chewbacca’s first interaction which was Star Wars magic at its finest.
Prior to the film’s production issues, one of the most exciting hires was Jonathan and Lawrence Kasdan brought on as the film’s writers. For those unaware, Lawrence Kasdan is responding for scripting the absolute best Stars Wars film of all time, The Empire Strikes Back. While nowhere near the level of Empire, Solo’s script is good enough to push through what on the surface this film really is, a heist film.
While 2016’s Rogue One has been labeled as a war film, Solo falls into the category of a heist film, which makes absolute sense, given the nature of Solo’s characteristics and the galaxy most well-known smuggler. Kasdan’s writing and director Ron Howard’s direction, the film is able to mix both the themes of a heist film and the magic of Star Wars.
Is this film perfect?
No, Solo suffers from a lack of a villain. While Paul Bettany shines in the role of Dryden, he fails to make his mark on the film. The reason may be Star War’s consistent impressive villains throughout the franchise that actually pose a threat to our heroes; Dryden was not that person. The overall lack of villain hurts the overall tension for cinephiles as there is never any doubt that Solo and company’s success in their mission.
Is it even necessary?
No, this is where the Disney hate comes in as many feel that this film is nothing but a cash grab for the Mouse company. Playing devil’s advocate, why wouldn’t they make as much money on their investment. I personally feel, that while not the film is not necessary, and fails to push the Star Wars narrative forward, I am always smiling when “A Galaxy Far, Far Away” appears on the screen.
Performance wise, Alden Ehrenreich ends up as a suitable choice as Han Solo. Instead of attempting to imitate Harrison Ford, Ehrenreich puts his take on the Solo character while still respecting the iconic characters history and Ford’s performance. While Chewbacca is mostly a physical performance, his chemistry with Ehrenreich cannot be ignored as the origins of their relationship is one of the highlights of the film.
Woody Harrelson’s performance as Becket cannot be ignored. While little was known about his character and performance, Harrelson made me care of not only his character but made his actions during the film extremely plausible.
Finally, we get to the most anticipated portrayal int his film. Everyone’s favorite smuggler, Lando Calrissian. Donald Glover steals every scene he’s in. He not only puts his own spin on the character but at times surpasses some of Billy Dee’s iconic performance. I, for one, am starting the petition for a Lando film.
Solo: A Star Wars Story is not the perfect Star Wars film, but its one I’ll gladly accept. A film that outside of one surprise was not made for the purpose of pushing the franchise forward, but as a stand-alone entity and it delivered. For those that have been complaining over the past 6-7 months about the direction of the Star Wars universe, close your eyes and remember that it could be worse, “Meesa want more Jar Jar”?
Reel Talk gives Solo: A Star Wars Story 3 Reels
