A Review of... Solo: A Star Wars Story
When Disney first announced that they were going to release a series of stand alone films that took place in the Star Wars universe, it was met with mixed feelings. This announcement came shortly after Lucasfilms was purchased and The Force Awakens was in pre-production. Some fans were still dealing with the anger they had for the prequels and didn't want to see a repeat of those films. After the success of Episode 7: The Force Awakens and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, most fans became more receptive to new films in the series. Sadly, after Star Wars: Episode 8 was met with mixed reviews, audiences became more wary of Solo before it's release. After getting a chance to see it on Thursday, I can say that the premature critiques were wrong.
Credit for photograph: www.starwars.com
Solo: A Star Wars Story was a film that caused me to fill a range of emotions. The film provides the audience with a look into the origins of a young Han Solo. Similar to some of the better origin story films, I glad that the writers did not feel the need to start with Han as a child. We started basically at the point that starts the story with the pivotal actions that led Han down the path that made him the Han Solo that we know and love. Similar to Rogue One, Solo provided a crew of characters that you connect with if not but for a brief moment. Their presence is only felt for a limited amount of time but they are there long enough to leave an impression on you. You want to see more and based on Disney's record, I wouldn't be surprised to see a comic based on characters like Val or L3-37, the only droid with enough attitude to handle Lando Calrissian. When I left the screening, I thought about more than just how cool Han was but also how much richer this universe has become with these additional characters.
Credit for photograph: www.starwars.com
While watching the film, I was looking for a moment for the film to let me down, for it to show me that it was as bad as many predicted it to be. Gladly, that moment never came. The film provided brevity when needed but also provided tension when the story needed it. When watching the heists, I felt intrigued on seeing how the Han and his crew were going to make it out. While most film has some short of flaw and those flaws can take you out of the film, nothing about Solo stood out as a negative that would prevent me from enjoying the film. I never felt that any of the characters lack purpose or logic behind their actions, and the film never felt like it overstayed it's welcome.
After the movie, I listened to the soundtrack a few days later. The score is unique to this film and has it own vibe. John Powell did an amazing job working with John Williams to provide a sound that allows the score to stand out among the traditional sounds that Williams crafted for the original films. When I listen to "Marauders Arrive", I hear a mixture of so many different sounds. The choir of kids singing remind me of Akira while also being accompanied by exciting rushing whirls and blares of brass and wood wind instruments. "Chicken in the Pot" is a track has this sexy, neo-soul flavor with a twist of Stereolab . A version of this track was used to set the mood in the film when Han and Chewie venture onto the ship of Dryden Vos. "Lando's Closet" is also a beautiful song that felt like the whimsical nature of being in the throws of love. The score is worthy of a beautiful 180 gram vinyl pressing.
Final Thoughts
There are films that many would deem unnecessary due to the subject being deemed as a sacred cow, but Star Wars is a vast universe that should be experimented with by individuals who want to tell a compelling story. Solo was a film that never let me down at any point and the story kept me engaged til the end. The humor, the action, the pacing, and the character development was done well. This is a film that is not meant to replace any of the main story films . It's a film that is meant for those who want more background to the characters we have come to know and love while meeting new characters along the way. Similar to the novels and comics, Solo is here to provide depth to the cannon of the the Star Wars universe in an enjoyable way.
Credit for photograph: www.starwars.com
This film is accessible for those who are not Star Wars fans. Yes, it is helpful to know who some of the key characters from the trilogy are and some of the in jokes but the film doesn't require that background knowledge in order the enjoy the film. Solo: A Star Wars Story is an amazing film that is enjoyable from beginning to end. For those who are not invested in the mythos of the Star Wars universe, you can still find enjoyment in the jovial banter between the characters and enjoy the film all the same.