Title – Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018)

Director – Ron Howard (Rush)

Cast – Alden Ehrenreich, Joonas Suotamo, Woody Harrelson, Emilia Clarke, Donald Glover, Thandie Newton, Paul Bettany

Plot – Go back in time to see how everyone’s favourite space rogue Han Solo (Ehrenreich) met his co-pilot Chewbacca (Suotamo) and his long-time friend Lando Calrissian (Glover) while entrenched in the criminal underworld of the galaxy.

“Assume everyone will betray you. And you will never be disappointed”

Review by Eddie on 25/05/2018

It’s late as I walk out of a night time screening of the newest Star Wars film, Solo: A Star Wars Story and my feelings are mixed, for while Solo offers a blending of something that’s sometimes fun and something that’s sometimes tiresome, there’s a lingering sense that this film (as many suspected in advance of its release) doesn’t truely justify its existence in the Star Wars cinematic cannon.

In a screening that was curiously quiet for such a beloved movie staple (the cinema was at best a quarter full), Solo offered myself and my co-watches a look back at the life and times of the beginnings of Han Solo, arguably Star War’s most beloved and endearing character.

Ever wanted to know how Han and Chewie met? Check. Ever wondered how Han got his name? Check. How about how Han got his hands on the Millennium Falcon. Check.

Solo undoubtedly offers fans a slew of answers and winks and nods at the series that was to follow but Ron Howard’s space adventure never fully comes together as one to create a blockbuster truely worthy of the Star Wars name.

No doubt an achievement in itself considering the way in which this production was plagued by behind the scenes troubles, Solo has a collection of well-staged and enjoyable enough set-pieces, as well as a hearty dose of fan service but it never comes close to being anything more than a fun yet instantly forgettable aside to a series that has so many high (and equally as many low) points.

It’s not like we expect every product under the Star Wars banner to be The Empire Strikes Back or dare I even say it The Force Awakens but we many and varied fans do hold out everlasting hope for a franchise that has provided so much cinematic goodness over a number of fondly remembered years.

It’s impossible to be too disappointed with Solo as against the odds new Han Alden Ehrenreich does a commendable job in a role that was always going to be judged harshly, while other new members such as Donald Glover as cult favourite Lando Calrissian and the ever reliable Woody Harrelson as new character Tobias Beckett all do fine work in Howard’s heist/western infused space adventure.

Solo’s biggest problem is the unnerving lack of heart and while as stated a fun ride that never gels comfortably from rushed scenario to rushed scenario, it’s not often you get such a cold hearted journey in a galaxy far far away.

This lack of heart is most glaring and obvious in the underdeveloped and feel-free core romance between Solo and Emilia Clarke’s Qi’ra, a relationship that’s so unrewarding and generic that it’s impossible to do anything else but not care.

It goes to show that all the fan service and neatly constructed happenings mean little when the stakes never feel fully realised (unlike other side story Rogue One) and the emotional core never making itself apparent.

Final Say –

It’s always an event to see a new Star War’s film on the big screen and Solo offers an enjoyable enough ride at the cinema, it is however a highly forgettable and risk free event that while not dishonoring its beloved character, doesnt make him any greater in the process.

3 robot uprising’s out of 5