Solo: A Star Wars Story

Yo, near-lifelong Han Solo fan here. I loved this movie. There's so much I could gush about...

I'll just leave these three main thoughts:

1.) It felt like a vague adaptation of A.C. Crispen's Han Solo book trilogy—a good adaptation, that improved the story infinitely. Most notably, with the Kessel Run and the female lead. Crispen's take on the Kessel Run was just...cringe worthy. And Qi'ra is infinitely more likable than Bria Tharen. Speaking of Qi'ra...

2.) The "Blade Runner" nods. Qi'ra's look is clearly a shout-out to Rachel Rosen, and Corellia seems pretty "Blade Runner" inspired. I just love that they threw that in there for Harrison Ford fans. And it fits with the Han Solo character as well. How do you create a past love interest for Han that's fitting for Han, without being a carbon copy of Leia? Well... what about Rachel from "Blade Runner?" The train-chase also gave me some "Indiana Jones" vibes.

3.) All the actors were great, but Han and Lando's actors especially. It's amazing to find an actor who looks so much like a younger version of an iconic character; it's more amazing to find an actor who can *act* like that iconic character; it's beyond amazing to find an actor that's both those things, and it's mind-blowing to find TWO actors who fit that bill. Round of applause!

If there were any significant flaws in the movie, I didn't notice or care. (I feel like there was something weird about the Kessel Run, or maybe I remember someone pointing out a plot-hole there, IDK. But I couldn't care less.)

My only issue with Luke giving Leia the dice is that they're still a 'force projection' and it feels just slightly dickish if he gives them to her and then they disappear. But, at the same time, the more logical choice of having Rey give them to Leia doesn't have the emotional resonace of Luke doing so since its their only scene in the sequels.

And I'm ok with a logical problem if the emotional resonance is more rewarding.

That's actually intensely funny to imagine that the dice disappear when Luke does as well.

Presumably, Leia later finds the real thing aboard the actual Falcon when she boards it at the end.

No, Ren found them on the floor of the base when the First Order entered.

No joke, I would actually kind of like it if Luke and Leia's twin powers/her latent Force abilities realize they were Force projections right away, and/or keep them intact until she got back the actual set.

Edited by Unsung on Oct 5th 2018 at 2:31:00 AM

They do. Ren finds them on the floor once he gets inside and they disappear in his hand.

Someone forgot to submit the score for Oscar consideration.

I would say that's a shame, but it's more a point and laugh moment for someone's stupidity.

Fitting, as the audiences forgot this movie existed.

It killed off both of the characters I was most interested in, underused Donald Glover as Lando, and didn't even really dig in to the Han/Chewie friendship. And the stunts felt more... Bourne Identity than Star Wars, I don't know.

Enfys Nest had a pretty cool theme. That's about all I remember from the soundtrack though.

So I just finished watching Solo; A Star Wars Story on Netflix, and I am so pissed I missed it in theaters. What an incredible film. It breaks my heart that it didn't do well and we likely won't get a sequel. This was flat out one of the best sci-fi adventures ever.

There were elements I learned about via spoilers I was expecting to not like, such as the way Han gets his last name, but even those were great in context. The way the Imperial desk clerk gives this sort of pleased with himself chuckle over the "cleverness" of the name Solo totally sold what could have been a cringeworthy moment. The sole complaint I have is how dark the early part of the film is, but that was a trivial detail and the rest of the film more than made up for it.

Alden Ehrenreich was a great Han Solo, and there were a few moments where he was just perfectly channeling a young Harrison Ford — but he also brought enough idealism to the role that you could see how Ford's cynical Solo could be redeemed in the OT. Donald Glover was amazing as Lando, and the rest of the cast was very strong, particularly Woody Harrelson as Beckett.

Great plot, great action sequences, tons of funny moments, and totally had that Star Wars feel. 5 out 5 stars from me, would watch many sequels.

Wait, it's on Netflix now? I haven't seen it on there.

That says something.

Solo was released on Netflix 244 days after it was released in theaters.

Last Jedi was on Netflix 193 days after it was released in theaters.

For comparison, Thor Ragnorok was release on Netflix 214 days after it's theater release.

So if that says something, I have absolutely no idea what it says.

If you turn upside down and squint, it says "Paul is dead."

Poor, poor Paul.

It's not a great movie, but it does the job of bringing the A.C. Crispin trilogy into the new era. I never bought into the SJW shit the conservative squad was selling, but from what I'd heard coming in my expectations were low anyway. Glad to be "disappointed." It was a believable arc for him and set us up for the way he was later on. Jaded.