Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018)

[Cap]

Mom and I just got out of it.  Both of us liked it, but didn't love it.

 

Her major complaint was that it felt long, like 10 minutes needed to go.  She thought Alden was good; but didn't know why they cast Emila Clarke ("she's already Khaleesi").

 

My major complaint was the effing dark and UGLY cinematography.  It threw me out of the whole film.  That opening sequence is almost unwatchable.  I thought Lando was AMAZING and Chewy and Han's friendship really worked.

Edited May 29, 2018 by captainwondyful

[Mr Impossible]

Just got out of Solo and it ain’t half bad. Better than Last Jedi and Rogue One. I enjoyed the light nature of it. Actors were all good especially Alden Ehrenreich surprisingly. Best visuals and sets I’ve seen in a Star Wars movie yet. 7/10 

 

Go in with an open mind and lesser expectations and you’ll have fun. Feels like one of those 70s or 80s Sci-fi films you’ve seen but in a mostly good way. I too think Ron Howard saved it the flaws in the movie are clearly because of the production. It’s apparent.  

[GroceryGuru]

I liked the film and now see this a a first in a series of stories. Han with Jabba looks to be next. The film is apparently set in the time before Darth Maul is killed. having him is nice, and there is a limited range that this new story arc can exist in. Still another adventure would be nice. I thought the glow weapon used by the villain was a bad move. This story doesn't need a force-influenced character or a reminder of that world. That was distracting and unexplained. The coarse the female will take in that tall ship she commandeered is a mystery. I do not think that Han will get the girl, and his adopted name solo will have new meaning. getting to know the birth of the resistance and that whole development was uninteresting and under developed. A twist was fine, and we got plenty of that  (too much) during the showdown battles between central characters. That whole ending was rushed and unsatisfying. Yes Han shoots first, and yes they had a tough upbringing. We did not really see the lowlife underworld that Han can thrive in, just the one line on people that came and went with this mission.  It was a great space epic tale and I found the effects and the style fresh. 

 

[Frozen]

Alden is a decent actor, but I just didn't buy him as Han Solo. He just doesn't have young Harrison Ford's swagger.

[filmlover]

As shrug-worthy as Rogue One. There's nothing terrible about it, it just feels like it's going through the motions and answering questions that nobody ever asked. There's a couple of exciting bits, but it all ends up feeling very disjointed (no doubt the result of the very troubled production the movie endured) and very filmmaking-by-committee. I liked Alden Ehrenreich's performance even though I never bought that he would eventually become Harrison Ford in A New Hope. Also enjoyed Emilia Clarke (must say she's never looked more beautiful than she does in this btw) and Donald Glover's perfect Lando deserved more time on-screen. Legend Woody Harrelson disappointingly felt on autopilot though, Paul Bettany has nothing to do, and shit what a waste of Thandie Newton's talents (if the Oscars handed out awards for Most Criminal Use of a Good Actor/Actress, she would be the frontrunner by a very wide margin). I had hopes that this would overcome its inherent pointlessness to deliver a fun summer blockbuster, but it's ultimately too bland and obvious to rank among the best Star Wars films ever. C+ 

Edited May 27, 2018 by filmlover

[Avatree]

On 26/05/2018 at 5:51 AM, Pandamia! said:

I enjoyed it quite a bit, it was a fun time and I enjoyed some of the universe expansion that was done with the Crimson Dawn, droid revolutionaries, and such.

 

Darth Maul was a neat hook, but it didn’t really elevate the movie any at the end.

 

The entire thing was pretty much a traditional blockbuster.  It was fun escapism, I don’t think it did for Han what RO did for a New Hope though (in that it ended up being a good companion piece that made the original a better movie) in that I’m not going to watch Han Solo and get any new insight in the character.  That being said it’s entertaining, and I may end up figuring out a spot to squeeze it in whenever I do my Star Wars marathons.

 

I don’t really have major complaints about it other than it’s not too exciteable because the nature of a prequel is creating stakes is much harder when you know Qi’ra is not a keeper, that he gets the Falcon, and that Han and Chewie are going to pull the whole thing off.  

 

Anyways, it’s a fun movie, it’s not the phenomenal films that TLJ or TFA were but few movies are.  I’d say it’s much better than all of the bad Star Wars films (TPM and AOTC), not quite as good as the two really good ones (ROTS and RO), and definitely not on the top-tier Star Wars level (the rest of them). B/B+

How did Rogue One make the original better?

[jb007]

A thoroughly entertaining movie. The performances are uniformly good. The action sequences are very good. Last 20 minutes was excellent. 

 

Rating: A-

[GirafficPark]

Best Disney Star Wars movie. Really fun, well acted, nothing controversial and has the feeling of the both the OT and the PT.

 

A

[MrSinister]

On 5/26/2018 at 10:03 PM, GroceryGuru said:

I liked the film and now see this a a first in a series of stories. Han with Jabba looks to be next. The film is apparently set in the time before Darth Maul is killed. having him is nice, and there is a limited range that this new story arc can exist in. Still another adventure would be nice. I thought the glow weapon used by the villain was a bad move. This story doesn't need a force-influenced character or a reminder of that world. That was distracting and unexplained. The coarse the female will take in that tall ship she commandeered is a mystery. I do not think that Han will get the girl, and his adopted name solo will have new meaning. getting to know the birth of the resistance and that whole development was uninteresting and under developed. A twist was fine, and we got plenty of that  (too much) during the showdown battles between central characters. That whole ending was rushed and unsatisfying. Yes Han shoots first, and yes they had a tough upbringing. We did not really see the lowlife underworld that Han can thrive in, just the one line on people that came and went with this mission.  It was a great space epic tale and I found the effects and the style fresh. 

 

 Assume you mean before mauls death in rebels. This is way after phantom menace in case you were implying that. Maul (edit: originally auto correct wrote mayo) survives in the cartoons. I like that Solo actually brings elements from the shows and games like maul surviving and masters of teras kasi. That seems like something Marvel is scared to do (they do the reverse) and DC would take a million years to do.

 

anyway I agree with the two posts above. A fun, witty, well acted romp through the galaxy that explains away issues like the 12 parsec kessel run (now it being speed and distance makes sense) and how Han “won” the falcon fair and square (you know it sounded like there was more story there and with two “old buddies” like this, fair and square dealing ain’t realistic). Did I mention the acting. Han was great to watch even if he hasn’t developed fully, Lando couldn’t have been done any better, Chewie is always Chewie, as someone else mentioned Emilia Clarke has never looked better (and she acted quite believably to the point I only remembered it was her at the end), and the crew Han joins are definitely a fun bunch, his kind of people that feel very rogue one (did I mention how great l3 is?) This felt new and welcome, unlike anything else Star Wars from Disney save Rogue-One. Shame it is doing so poorly...

Edited May 28, 2018 by MrSinister
Even Superman has a day job. Luke Skywalker worked on a farm

[LonePirate]

Forget the haters and naysayers, Solo is a fun, summer action flick. Ehrenreich was fine in what was an impossible task of filling the shoes of one of the most beloved actors in one of the most beloved characters of all time. I needed a few minutes to adjust to him but by the end of the film, I started to enjoy his Han and I no longer had any complaints with casting him in the role. 

 

The Han/Chewie and Han/Lando interactions were great. It was nice to see how those friendships were formed and grew. Glover could make for an interesting Lando but he did not have much to do here. He was a perfect choice for the swarthy, card cheating playboy. His best scene, though, was with his L3 droid after she had been blasted and was on death's door. Even then, that scene was only good because of the foreshadowing from earlier in the film when L3 told Qi'ra that Lando was in love with her. Speaking of which, L3 was easily the best character in the film. Her scenes freeing her people, er droids, to start the rebellion/distraction were wonderful. If there is a sequel to this film or if there is a Lando film, the writers need to make sure L3 has a prominent place in the film.

 

Clarke was fine as Qi'ira but I would have appreciated some time dedicated to showing her enlistment with the Sith and Empire. Harrelson and Newton were serviceable in roles that did not require much from either of them. I didn't care for Bettany, though, as I felt his acting was atrocious and the character was simply not as menacing as he needed to be. The Maul cameo at the end was a surprising turn I was not expecting since I do not watch the Rebels cartoons, in which he appeared evidently.

 

While not a great film, it was certainly entertaining enough for a light, breezy, sci fi action flick. I enjoyed Deadpool 2 more than Solo but Solo was better than the boring and far less interesting, Infinity War.

 

7/10

[Jay Beezy]

On 5/27/2018 at 1:01 AM, filmlover said:

As shrug-worthy as Rogue One. There's nothing terrible about it, it just feels like it's going through the motions and answering questions that nobody ever asked. There's a couple of exciting bits, but it all ends up feeling very disjointed (no doubt the result of the very troubled production the movie endured) and very filmmaking-by-committee. I liked Alden Ehrenreich's performance even though I never bought that he would eventually become Harrison Ford in A New Hope. Also enjoyed Emilia Clarke (must say she's never looked more beautiful than she does in this btw) and Donald Glover's perfect Lando deserved more time on-screen. Legend Woody Harrelson disappointingly felt on autopilot though, Paul Bettany has nothing to do, and shit what a waste of Thandie Newton's talents (if the Oscars handed out awards for Most Criminal Use of a Good Actor/Actress, she would be the frontrunner by a very wide margin). I had hopes that this would overcome its inherent pointlessness to deliver a fun summer blockbuster, but it's ultimately too bland and obvious to rank among the best Star Wars films ever. C+ 

TBF, Rogue One did answer a question people had about the Death Star. Although I wouldn't say answer a question, rather justify a pet peeve.

 

So are they really equally shrug-worthy in that regard? 

[CoolioD1]

paul bettany was the best performance! reminded me of kirk douglas in Out of the Past or that sort of role. love how he kinda underplayed it. casually threatening. 

[filmlover]

3 minutes ago, Jay Beezy said:

TBF, Rogue One did answer a question people had about the Death Star. Although I wouldn't say answer a question, rather justify a pet peeve.

 

So are they really equally shrug-worthy in that regard? 

I will say this was slightly better than Rogue One if only because I was actually semi-invested in the characters in this. I didn't care one iota about the fates of anyone in that.

[K1stpierre]

Saw this Sunday with my boyfriend, overall I guess the best thing I can say about this is that it does maintain some level of fun. There are parts where it drags, kind of took me out of the film, but overall it was satisfying enough to keep me entertained. I love the meeting between Han and Chewy, very well done. The acting in this was pretty good. I kind of got annoyed with yet, another cliche sassy robot Star Wars lately seems to always put in. 

 

I think my biggest problem with the movie is that although it wasn’t bad by any means, I just didn’t really see any purpose to this movie. In fact, it didn’t really explain why Han is the way he is when we first meet him in A New Hope, as at the end of this movie he gave the “rebels” all the wealth vs himself (I mean really? You’d think he’d take half of it). It just seemed like a very not Soloish thing to do as the Solo we meet in ANH is all about himself. I think the film would of benefited from Han being screwed over and his heart destroyed by Kira. That way we would see why Han is so cold and distant and all for himself. This film went the safe and cliche happy ending route, which doesn’t make sense. 

 

Overall, I’d give this a 6.7/10, C rating overall.

[John Marston]

the movie was well made and well acted. But in the end I just can't get over the feeling that I don't need to see a young Han and his past brought to life. Some things are better left to the imagination. I just can't buy Alden growing up into Harrison Ford. He is good on his own terms but not as a young Ford. Alden should have been cast as an original character

 

 

if only the same cast and same crew could have put their efforts towards a more interesting storyline

 

 

also, I went with three other people and all we could talk about after was Darth Maul appearing in the end. It's like the rest of the movie didn't exist

 

[Avatree]

11 hours ago, CoolioD1 said:

paul bettany was the best performance! reminded me of kirk douglas in Out of the Past or that sort of role. love how he kinda underplayed it. casually threatening. 

At the same time as being threatening by being pseudo friendly and calm - he also came across as a right loser. When he gets all pissy and Kira says, "What he's trying to say is, he doesn't care" and then Voss says "Yes that's what I'm saying, I don't care! I don't care!"

[YLF]

generic and bland as fuck. This is no rogue one.

 

C-

Edited May 30, 2018 by YLF

[Captain Craig]

Grade: B

 

Pros

Alden as Han total worked for me. I admit to modest expectations only but by the end I could see Harrison 10yrs away

Glover as Lando, this one I went with high expectations and was not dissapointed

Chewbacca-felt the scene where they meet, how Han speaks Wookie was important to establish and done well

Falcon-seeing a cleaner, newer and shiner version of our old girl was enjoyable, also knowing now she is essentially, in part, the android L-3

Marauders- nice to see how there was more to them than just a competing band of pirates/smugglers

Kessel Run: I always enjoy a good heist + Chewie freeing more Wookies and arms ripped off guards!!

Rio Durant(voice by Favreau)- I was really liking this character, died too soon. I get why but in his short time was already growing on me. 

Darth Maul cameo: I've not watched the cartoons so after discussing with a friend found out this is canon in the Clone Wars 'toon. I like the idea that Maul is around.

Dice: nice touchstone easter egg

 

MEH

Val(Thandie Newton) - unlike Rio I felt she didn't get the time to shine before her sacrifice. In what we got it appeared her character was more guarded, more suspect on all things so it was too hard to write material that allowed us to get to know her better in the short time they intended for her. 

Qi'ra(Emile Clarke) - I wanted to like her more and in contrast to Val we got lots of time with her. She was just always there and outside her one glorious moment to kill Dryden Vos I felt she was just the pretty arm candy for the film most times. Add in I'm not sure where her loyalty lies really. I could like her more on a re-watch, we'll see

Lady Proxima - she felt like our necessary nod to Jabba to show us Han has been dealing with these type beings for a long time. Just too flat and 2-D a character. I bet novels and extended universe fare could flesh her and her operation out better. 

Solo surname: ok, kind of interesting in that this is a throwaway moment in his life tucked into a larger life changing moment. 

 

Cons

Beckett(Woody) - when news of the film first broke and the first images I had hoped that this character would be one to kind of show Han the ropes of the smugglers world. That like his Haymitch character in Hunger Games he would have a "master"/"apprentice" type relationship. As I watched that second trailer where he then says "don't trust anyone, expect to be betrayed and you'll never be disappointed" I was let down. I mean what the fuck Marketing Department? You just telegraphed that he's going to betray Han to someone at sometime. Too predictable for him from that moment on so I went into the film knowing his role vs being able to hope for more out of the character.

L3-37: I just don't have time for the not thinly veiled Feminist platform and her fixation on slavery, freedom and independence. 

 

 

Overall I enjoyed the film. I felt that while it was fun to firm up and establish things about Han they were not necessary for one to enjoy the character. Unlike say Rogue One which I did feel served a larger purpose within the scope of the saga. That said I'd be all up more adventures of young Han&Chewie. Also more Lando as you know there is more to their relationship. 

I read the film takes place 10yrs before A New Hope, so is that at films start or end? Cause there is that 3yr jump in the first act. Ergo, if that 10yrs starts at the end it's 10 years. However, if it is at the start then we are 7yrs from New Hope. Splitting Hairs maybe but that did occur to me. 

 

 

 

 

[MrSinister]

5 hours ago, Captain Craig said:

I read the film takes place 10yrs before A New Hope, so is that at films start or end? Cause there is that 3yr jump in the first act. Ergo, if that 10yrs starts at the end it's 10 years. However, if it is at the start then we are 7yrs from New Hope. Splitting Hairs maybe but that did occur to me. 

Den of Geek claims between 13 and 10 years pre epIV so it ends at 10 years.

 

I had similar thoughts but swap the dice which I dislike for the same reason I hate the casino scene in TLJ (though not nearly as much [too on the nose for it to make an ancient galaxy far far away seem unlike earth {though I know it’s canon, it’s a brief missable canon in the original like the alien head on a predator ship or the crystal skull here}]) with woody Harrelson (who I thought turned in one of the funniest performances of the film, kind of like the sarcastic droid in rogue one).

 

Also i’d swap Maul with Thandie and Emilia (it was cool to see maul but he did nothing and showing his double light saber in that instance felt forced sort of like a non cringey version of Boba’s cgi look to the camera from the end of the Jabba insertion into the world IV special edition {If there were a chance of a sequel where his backstory doesn’t get lost on the bulk of the audience and he’s given a longer cameo I’d appreciate him more at the risk of jeapordizing Hans lack of faith in the force when we first meet him, though maybe he only runs into Lando and kills off his people or something} overall though he wasn’t bad as he showed more personality than in ep I).

 

 I liked Val for the bit she was there for and found Emilia played the survivor out for self double agent role well when backed into a corner. I’d give Solo an A-...

On 5/30/2018 at 4:35 AM, YLF said:

generic and bland as fuck. This is no rogue one.

 

C-

Seriously!? I thought for sure you’d like it. I guess going in with low expectations helped me, but your avatar being more accurate than if they used a time machine to go a long time ago and grab a young Billy Dee alone makes this >>> TLJ to me

 

It not being a rehash of a film we’ve seen before only if Luke Skywalker best Vader to with an inch of his life with no outside help in their first encounter made it > TFA 

 

The lack of cheesy dialogue or wacky cgi effects meant to please children > the prequels (save the good parts of RoTS and the Maul fight).

 

And the lack of terrible musical numbers and cgi additions (proxima hadn’t me worried a second) made it better than 90% of the additions that made the rerelease of the originals the “special” additions.

 

But I guess unless you’re grading everything outside of the originals and rogue one as if they were the Ewok films were have a difference of opinion on them

Edited June 1, 2018 by MrSinister
Luke skywalkin on these haters! Syke...This is America

[lilmac]

Better than I thought. I was impressed by Alden’s performance in particular. He didn’t try to mimic Harrison which was a smart move. The film was a bit light in terms of gravity, significance and what was at stake. 

 

I imagine that was the original vision Disney had for the spinoffs. Fun, silly and pulpy flicks. It delivered. 

 

B