Phoenix Productions
Solo might not have the stakes of other Star Wars films, but it has a charisma and charm that the franchise has needed for years. It doesn't need an overly-complex plot or episodic structure to deliver a full, enjoyable experience. This film allows Star Wars to explore more fun-filled adventures with low stakes and maximum enjoyment. The score of the film is to be commended, blending the most familiar stings of Star Wars music with new, incredible pieces. The cast drives this film. Alden Ehrenreich has proven himself to be an excellent Han Solo. While he is not Harrison Ford, he is more of a side-grade than an up- or down-grade. He fills holes in Han's character that Ford can't, while also missing parts of Han that Ford nailed in his performances. Overall, Ehrenreich performed fantastically in Solo, quelling all fears of not living up to the legacy before him. Donald Glover, Emilia Clarke, and Woody Harrelson also deliver incredibly performances as Lando, Qi'Ra, and Beckett respectively. Paul Bettany's villain role as Dryden Vos suffers slightly from the "Marvel Curse" of a slightly one-dimensional, weak villain, but Bettany's ability to act anything under the table is to be admired. The film is highly predictable, but Ron Howard managed to include one particular twist that is just too good not to mention: The Crimson Dawn gang, fronted by Dryden Vos, is actually run by Darth Maul, the apprentice of Darth Sidious who was defeated by Obi-Wan Kenobi in The Phantom Menace, twice in The Clone Wars TV series, and once in Star Wars Rebels. Qi'Ra's role in the Crimson Dawn as a double agent whose allegiance is tied to herself and to Maul is also incredible to behold as it all comes together. The entire film is done extremely well, even for a weaker level of cinematography and strange under-lighting by Bradford Young, of Arrival fame. Even though this lighting is strange and brings down the quality of the cinematography as a whole, in the Star Wars universe it actually makes sense, considering the environment of Corellia.
Overall, a fun popcorn flick in a franchise that desperately needed one in order to break the now-tired formula, just as the excellent The Last Jedi did last year. FINAL VERDICT: 8 out of 10
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