Solo: A Star Wars Story

This review may contain spoilers!

This is something different for Star Wars and if you're open to something new then you're in for something special. I would give Solo: A Star Wars Story a 9/10.

This is classic heist film with a Star Wars backdrop, it's so effective because it's a universe you love to delve into and be a part of with a narrative that is so unique and different from anything Star Wars has done before. The thrilling high stakes adventure lead by a cocky protagonist filled with bravado is a lot of fun and knows how to balance comedy with serious action. The narrative deals some heavy moments and you get a very insightful glimpse into the more everyday side of the Star Wars underbelly. This is a journey that will take you on many twists and turns, with references to all aspects of the Star Wars universe and moments fans have heard about but only dreamed of being able to visualise. The cinematography doesn't shirk this need to visualise at all, you get some stunning blockbuster shots coupled with perfectly framed moments fans have been craving, such as Han and Chewie flying the Falcon together for the first time. To no one's great surprise the visual effects look superb, the ship sequences, in particular, are a standout and the train heist is certainly enhanced by visual effects. The score for the film has some nice homage to famous tracks from past Star Wars films, yet it's the way this film makes a sound that is so lively and thrilling that truly captures the essence of what Solo is going for here.

Alden Ehrenreich, who played Han Solo, had a lot of people sceptical as he had some massive shoes to fill; yet Ehrenreich pulls off the smug smuggler with an ease that is a real credit to his ability as a performer. Joonas Suotamo, who played Chewbacca, has made a great transition into the role of Chewie; Suotamo really gives this role a light-hearted take and has really assumed the mantle well. Emilia Clarke, who played Qi'ra, is such a likeable role and has incredible romantic chemistry with Ehrenreich; yet Clarke does a nice job at sowing the seeds that make us begin to question her motivations somewhat and the arc her character goes through is subtle yet very well set up. Donald Glover, who played Lando Calrissian, really plays upon the more flamboyant and extravagant persona of Lando to make for quite a comedic performance; the rivalry established between him and Ehrenreich is great and makes for some of the best scenes in the film. Thandie Newton, who played Val, is very tough and aggressive which immediately establishes her as probably the most capable in Harrelson's crew; yet her tough exterior is countered by her very grounded outlook on life which makes for a very bittersweet minor role that you'll really feel for. Phoebe Waller-Bridge, who played L3-37, is such a funny role that carries a strong comedic presence throughout the entire role; the presentation of a droid who hasn't been mindwiped developing a deep outrage over the lack of droid rights is a fun shtick that works well in the film. Paul Bettany, who played Dryden Vos, is a great antagonist that you come to dread; he seems very caring and interested in others but is constantly threatening and exhibiting violence - a great Star Wars crime lord to say the least. Sam Witwer and Ray Park, who voiced and played Maul respectively, bring a fan favourite character back to the big screen flawlessly; Star Wars has done some great twists like Vader being Luke's father or Han being killed by Kylo and the revelation of Darth Maul in this film is certainly amongst them.

However, the best performance came from Woody Harrelson, who played Beckett. This is a role that is the foundation for what Han Solo becomes: a scoundrel with a heart of gold. When first we meet Beckett he is so full of life and takes risks at every turn, with his crew behind him he is probably one of the best out there. Yet Harrelson does a good job of showing the slow shift in his role; the grief his character has over the loss of his crew that transitions to desperation at the possibility of losing his life at the hands of his employer. You see a nice chunk of the film in which Harrelson becomes a mentor to Ehrenreich's Han and finds the possibility of a new crew and future. When this is snatched away in the final act Harrelson really takes his role to the darkest point; betraying those he once cared about and attempting to double/triple cross everyone for his own gain. It's a great role and an absolutely brilliant performance by Woody Harrelson.

The three-act structure is adhered to strongly here but the problem is the content; each act has a lot to deliver and all are needed to work. However, the vast scale of scenes and subplot being crammed in to establish, advance, explore or explain elements of the plot makes this a lengthy film to watch with some noteworthy pacing issues.

Jon Favreau, who voiced Rio Durant, is a bit obvious as far as characters go; Favreau's character is really here to bring forth exposition from other characters and his function in the narrative isn't really clear beyond that. Erin Kellyman, who played Enfys Nest, is a minor antagonist for most of the film who gets a bit much to watch once we delve into her backstory; Kellyman's character takes the plot in a new direction in the final act and we develop a lot more exposition because of this making her role come across as quite disruptive to watch. Linda Hunt, who voiced Lady Proxima, is supposedly voicing a major crime boss in this film but she doesn't even remotely come across as menacing; Hunt's voicework makes this role feel grandmotherly and cautionary but never a threat making the first act feel a little less dangerous at first.