Post
by borgmatrix » May 29th, 2018, 8:36 am
Here's my review:
"Solo: A Star Wars Story" - There was a lot of doubt about this one; in large part, I'm sure, due to someone other than Harrison Ford playing Han Solo. Other factors included franchise fatigue and production drama (original directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller fired due to "creative differences" and replaced by Ron Howard - "Stick to the plan. Do not improvise").
I don't know how "Solo" would have turned had Miller and Lord been able to complete the movie, but Howard has delivered a winner, the best of the Star Wars movies since Disney acquired the franchise, just edging out "Rogue One."
Even if the original Star Wars wasn't quite as gritty, there's a physical feel to "Solo" that reminded me a lot of the Saga's beginning. And beyond the feel of the movie, there were numerous callbacks and parallels. The score by John Powell used a lot of John Williams cues, including memorable parts from "A New Hope" (though also brought new sounds and approaches).
Given what I'd read/heard about cinematographer Bradford Young and his minimal light approach, I expected more, but overall had little criticism for the movie visually. The depiction of the legendary Kessel Run in particular was atmospheric, dynamic in color and lighting.
Alden Ehrenreich acquitted himself well as Han Solo, as did the supporting cast in roles new and familiar. Woody Harrelson was as dependable as ever. Paul Bettany made the most of a small, but important role. Donald Glover was, at times, dead-on in channeling Billy Dee Williams for Lando Calrissian
As with "Rogue One," I was glad to see "Solo" embrace Star Wars as a whole and not just the original trilogy. This was evident in a lot of small details, but also in at least one major way.
Among the weaknesses is a 2 hour, 15 minute running time that felt longer. While the story was straightforward, I'd have preferred an "The Empire Strikes Back" approach of a less cluttered movie highlighting a couple big sequences/plot threads and with more quiet moments for the movie to breathe. Not all the double- and triple-crosses were necessary.
If we don't get another Han Solo movie, "A New Hope" picks up Han's story well. Meanwhile, I suspect a big development in "Solo" will be expanded on in another character's "A Star Wars Story" entry. Whatever direction they go, there are a lot of possibilities.