“Star Wars” fans got a Han Solo origin story in 2018, and it landed somewhere between a solid heist movie and a franchise misfire. Ron Howard took over directing duties mid-production after the original filmmakers were fired, and the result is a film that leans heavily on its star power while struggling to find its own identity within the larger saga.
The film follows a young Han Solo (Alden Ehrenreich) as he joins forces with a Wookiee named Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew) and a con artist named Qi’ra (Emilia Clarke). Together they try to escape from a criminal gang led by Dryden Voss (Paul Bettany) and eventually end up working with Lando Calrissian (Donald Glover) to steal the Millennium Falcon. The setup is promising, but the execution often stumbles.
Trailer, via Star Wars.
The Cast
Ehrenreich tries his hardest to carry the film, but the script gives him little room to breathe. His Solo is charming and quick-witted, but the character’s growth feels rushed and underwritten. The film wants him to become the confident smuggler audiences know, but it skips the messy steps in between. That lack of arc leaves the audience feeling disconnected from the final product.
Clarke fares better. Her Qi’ra is a complex figure who shifts between loyalty and betrayal, and her scenes crackle with tension. She is the closest thing the film has to a genuine antagonist, and her presence elevates nearly every scene she appears in.
Glover steals every scene he’s in as Lando. His Calrissian is smooth, cunning, and a little sleazy — everything a proper Lando should be. His chemistry with Ehrenreich is the highlight of the entire film, even if the plot around them sags in between.
The Weak Spots
Howard’s direction is competent but unremarkable. The pacing drags in the middle, and a few action sequences feel like they’re being filmed through fog. The film also suffers from a confusing timeline, jumping back and forth between multiple points in Solo’s life without ever fully explaining itself.
The humor is another weak spot. The film tries to be funny, but most of the jokes fall flat. The attempt to make Solo a comedy-heist hybrid is admirable, but the tone never settles, leaving the film feeling scattered and unfocused.
The score, composed by John Powell, is serviceable but forgettable. It doesn’t elevate the material the way a great “Star Wars” score should. The visuals are fine, but they don’t push the series forward either.
The High Points
The Millennium Falcon sequence is a genuine treat. The film finally lets the ship fly, and the excitement is palpable. It’s a moment that reminds viewers why this franchise exists in the first place.
The film also gets some emotional weight out of its central characters. The bond between Solo and Chewbacca feels earned, and the film’s final act delivers a payoff that resonates.
The film’s biggest strength is its cast. Even when the material around them is weak, the actors find ways to make it work.
The Verdict
“Solo: A Star Wars Story” is a mixed bag. It has moments of brilliance and stretches of boredom. It honors the past while failing to fully commit to its own vision. It’s a film that will please longtime fans but likely frustrate newcomers.
The film is a flawed entry in a storied franchise, but it’s not a disaster. It’s a watchable, occasionally thrilling ride with a strong cast and a memorable ship. Just don’t expect it to rewrite the rules of the galaxy far, far away.
Key Facts Box
- Title: Solo: A Star Wars Story
- Director: Ron Howard
- Release Year: 2018
- Running Time: 138 minutes
- Score: 6.2/10
Ranking the Performances
- Donald Glover as Lando Calrissian
- Emilia Clarke as Qi’ra
- Alden Ehrenreich as Han Solo
- Paul Bettany as Dryden Voss
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