I think it was the Rolling Stones who said it best, “You can’t always get what you want. But, sometimes, you get what you need.” That sentiment can easily be applied to the latest prequel in the Star Wars universe, Solo.
See, we did not want a Han Solo origins movie. For four decades, Harrison Ford’s take on the galaxy’s greatest (and most entertaining) smuggler has been about as near and dear to our heart as any fictional character could be or could ever hope to be. Going back to “the beginning” with this cinematic soul almost seemed like sacrilege. One, Ford’s performance alone gave us all the background and exposition we required to utterly adore the rebel rouser. Two, the idea of another actor answering to that moniker just seemed insane.
The most extraordinary thing happens during the first ten minutes of Solo: A Star Wars Story. Ford faded into the background and it became all about Alden Ehrenreich (the Hail, Caesar! scene stealer). Not only that, but by the time the credits rolled, the rarest of movie moments occurred. It was as if Ehrenreich had laid the groundwork for Ford’s take on the character and of course we know that is impossible. There is something utterly magical in what Ehrenreich does that lets us know even more about Ford’s Solo without the veteran actor even appearing in his character’s origin story.
Ehrenreich does not do an imitation. In fact, he does not sound anything like Ford. But he impeccably captures the cadence, budding confidence that turns into that legendary intergalactic swagger and an iconic movie character is (re)born. The performance is stunning and largely why Solo: A Star Wars Story is so darn enjoyable.
This is a spoiler-free review and we are not giving anything away here, but the other spoke in this blast of a summer movie ride is witnessing the birth of the BFF-based solid gold relationship that is Solo and Chewbacca (Joonas Suotamo, making his debut as the big fluffball), previewed in that first Solo: A Star Wars Story trailer.
That could not have been an easy task for any involved, from screenwriters Jonathan and Lawrence Kasdan to Ehrenreich and Suotamo. There is an effortlessness to the Solo-Chewbacca bond in all of Ford’s films. Capturing its humble beginnings is a lesson in character exposition that is simultaneously heartwarming, hilarious and firmly entrenched in something we already know. That is what could have been one of the largest obstacles of this entire endeavor. We may not know Solo’s early days in terms of what specifically he did. But, we are keenly aware of that Wookie-human bond that is—dare we say—a kinship we all have aspired to have in our life with our various friends.
Director Ron Howard certainly has to take a share of the credit on that front. But, that is the tip of the iceberg of what the Oscar winning filmmaker managed to do when he took a position as head of this ship that could have been one thankless effort.
Howard took over the project when previous helmers Phil Lord and Chris Miller were fired. Turns out, Howard’s filmmaking touch was exactly what was needed for the story that Lucasfilm and the Kasdan’s were telling. Depending on who you talk to, as much as 75-percent of the film had been shot. It must have been a daunting experience, leaping in to save the project that already had fans approaching with a raised eyebrow. After all, again, this is not an origins story that was clamored for and demanded. Skeptics were looking for reasons to slam this entire production and usually when filmmakers are replaced that late in production, it spells one thing: D-O-O-M.
Howard, some have argued, has the most vanilla of touches to his films of late. There is nothing “mundane” about what he delivered to the Star Wars faithful with Solo. Sure, it takes a little while to get going and there could have been about 15 minutes shaved from the film to inch it away from its two-hours-and-fifteen-minute running time. But, that is a small nit pick in what is otherwise a pretty heroic effort by the man who started his entertainment career playing a character named Opie!
Then, there’s Lando. Donald Glover is a gift to the universe. What he does filling the shoes of Billy Dee Williams’ iconic turn as one of Solo’s other good friends is impressive. One can see why there is a collective demand from those who have already seen the film for a Lando Calrissian standalone movie. What Williams did in The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi was like lightning in a bottle. Glover too captures lightning in a bottle with the swagger, sentiment and screen electricity that was and is the galaxy’s coolest cat.
The supporting cast is rich. Woody Harrelson, Emilia Clarke and Thandie Newton shine as Beckett, Qi’ra and Val respectively. And again, much as Alan Tudyk did in Rogue One as K-2SO, the droid steals scenes left and right with this latest Star Wars Story. This time it’s the entertaining to the highest degree turn by Phoebe Waller-Bridge as L3-37.
Solo: A Star Wars Story is a marvel in another arena as well. It could easily be a standalone movie that exists without an entire universe that was set up prior. Of course, it isn’t, but that is what makes it so special. Also, it could—if it’s successful—set up its own trilogy of Han hijinks that would certainly be welcomed after witnessing what Lucasfilm, Disney, Howard, Ehrenreich and Glover have given us with this first Solo story.
Grade: A-