With the air of disappointment still felt by many after The Last Jedi, it’s no wonder fans of the Star Wars franchise are hesitant about the delivery of Solo: A Star Wars Story. Reviews of the film thus far yield little to support a positive outlook toward the film, but they also offer nothing to say the film is inexplicably bad.
Critics have essentially lumped Solo into an odd category of being remarkably unremarkable. The reason? From what we can gather, the film seems to be more fan service than plot driving force; while it fits within the Star Wars universe, it doesn’t offer up much in terms of extra plot or hidden gems that tie into the other films. I can neither confirm nor deny this until it’s theatrical release, but just from looking at the trailer and plot synopsis I have no doubt this is true.
This is does not mean, however, that the film is bad. So, here are a couple of things to keep in mind before you get ready to throw popcorn at the screen.
via IMDb
Solo is meant to take place shortly before the events of A New Hope. And while Alden Ehrenreich’s performance has not been touted as flawless, it’s important to keep in mind that his Han Solo is not quite the Solo we knew from A New Hope. Just as people evolve after experiences in real life, so too do characters on the silver screen. The film is definitely expected to be a lighthearted installation in the franchise, so to get the most out of it just roll with the humor Han dishes out!
Expect answers to questions you never thought to ask. It seems that Solo offers information that was never questioned in the first place, and most seem to think this is a negative trait. While I can see why there would be some disappointment, wouldn’t you say that being given some fun trivia about a hero like Han is worth the watch? It may not delve as deeply into Han’s past as some fans would like, but, again, the film seems as though it was meant to be light.
Above all else…Remember that this is a spin-off, most likely one-shot, film within the Star Wars universe. Don’t go in thinking it’s supposed to be a deep story that will leave you feeling enriched with geekery. You’re in for a wild ride where you’ll see iconic characters and props come together for the “first” time and get a deeper understanding of Han Solo’s background. It’s supposed to be a fun way to see a different part of Han’s life, so just roll with it and there’s no doubt you’ll get engrossed in the experience! If nothing else, this film is going to be another entertaining couple of hours to add to your Star Wars collection!
