Solo: A Star Wars Story - Film Review
...in an lost era known to us as 1977, audiences were introduced for the first time to an outlaw by the name of Han Solo - a rugged, smooth-talking smuggler who swaggered his way into fan's hearts across the world.
Now 41 years, 3 film appearances and 1 new actor later, he finally has his own big-screen epic, and it certainly doesn't disappoint. From the start, Solo: A Star Wars Story is overflowing with references and call-backs to Han's backstory as fleshed out by Harrison Ford four decades before. From the formation of the galaxies greatest friendship in Han and Chewie, to the depiction of the infamous Kessel Run, director Ron Howard pulls out all the stops as he tells the incredible story of our favourite smuggler.
The plot is great, if a bit straight-forward. Han's journey from a pick-pocket on the streets of Correllia, to a foot soldier in the rampant army of the Empire, to his eventual rise to talented pilot-smuggler is a joy to witness. It expands the lore of the Star Wars universe in a big way and has fun as it does so. The end of the film throws in a few surprising plot twists, including the shock return of an old character from the prequels, which serves to keep the audience fixated and prevent a creeping sense of predictability which starts to prevail as the film progresses, since after all, the movie is a retelling of events we already know about... mostly, anyways.
In terms of cinematography, these events are beautifully depicted in an array of stunning environments and gripping set pieces. The train heist is a heart-pounding thrill ride packed with action whilst the Kessel Run is a spectacular sight in itself. Close up shots of a pristine Millennium Falcon tearing through clouds of gas and dodging tie fighters in claustrophobic dogfights merge seamlessly with wider, deeper scoped shots of interplanetary travel and sprawling mountainous terrain to create a spectacle worthy of the Star Wars trademark. The end of the movie might not be on as large a scale as that of Rogue One, however that only helps to make it feel much more personal, as Han completes his first character arc and learns lessons he will carry with him throughout his long and decorated life.
Alden Ehrenreich leads a talented cast who do an impressive job of elevating the largely simple script. The young Han is obviously no Harrison Ford, but nor should he be - this is a raw, naive and hopeful rogue who has much to learn as he enters a life of crime and deception for the first time. Donald Glover's Lando steals the show however, effortlessly embracing the role made famous by Billy Dee Williams in the original trilogy. His arrogance and style is so appealing that often I found myself favouring Lando over Han himself. Harrelson and Bettany do a solid job of embodying this new lawless era in the wake of the collapse of the Republic, a system controlled by gangs and crime syndicates, whilst Emilia Clarke's Qi'ra is an intriguing addition, a mysterious femme fetale who's true motivations seem forever hidden. Her own character arc reaches a tantalising climax, that ultimately leaves the door open for a sequel which could explore the relationship between Han and Qi'ra and their diverging paths further.
And a sequel would be fully justified after this safe yet brilliant entry into the Star Wars anthology. Howard has demonstrated the exciting possibilities on offer now that anthology films have been green-lit. Imagining a film centred around the enigmatic Lando Calrissian, or indeed the power struggle between the crime syndicates such as Crimson Dawn whilst the Rebellion establishes its foundations, is enough to whet the appetite of many a Star Wars fan.
Han may have had to wait 41 years for his own movie, but with the success of Solo and Rogue One before it, it won't be nearly as long before more of the galaxy's biggest characters get their own turn in the spot light. In the words of the smuggler himself, "I've got a really good feeling about this..."
RATING: 8.5/10 - AWESOME
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