Solo does not hide its intention of providing a significantly more upbeat adventure that takes itself much less seriously.
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So here we are. It's the next instalment of a Star Wars property. Following the Disney-driven reawakening of the main trilogy of trilogies and a spinoff outing with Rogue One, this is Solo: A Star Wars Story.
Set between the events of Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope, the supposed standalone (aptly called Solo) explores the early adventures of the titular Han Solo and company. From the origin of his name to his first encounters with now classic Star Wars characters, the blockbuster movie offers fans more material to geek over. But does it matter?
For disinterested partners and reluctant friends dragged to watch this film with Star Wars aficionados, the good news is that you need not necessarily have watched a single Star Wars film. That's right. But should newcomers care a little more, it helps to catch yourself up with the events up to this point with the multitude of websites offering up content with self-explanatory titles such as 'All You Need To Know Before Watching Solo".
Countering the darker themes and heavier outlook of Rogue One and The Last Jedi, Solo does not hide its intention of providing a significantly more upbeat adventure that takes itself much less seriously. However, most crucially, it's a big ask of Alden Ehrenreich to step up to the shoes once occupied by the iconic Harrison Ford. On the most surface of levels, there is nary a single physical similarity between the two. And from a character perspective, the younger Solo is hardly indicative of the odd-defying, ruggedly charming smuggler millions have to come to know and love. Solo feels safe. Han was not.
With the inclusion of other refreshed cast that includes Thandie Newton as Val and Emilia Clark as Qi'ra, we see the continuation of the series creating capable, competent and somewhat complex female characters to their credit. But beyond that (and a hypercool Donald Glover as frenemy Lando Calrissian), the film is chock full of rehashed archetypal tropes and the plain vanilla plot revolves around a chase for a McGuffin with good guys and bad guys. It doesn't help that there's a lot of exposition in between to move the audience through this fairly straightforward backstory in a craftlessly verbose manner.
Solo may stand alone from the Star Wars, but not for the best of reasons.
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