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Solo finally gets his own film that details the smuggler’s humble origins and… it’s okay. They were definitely moments that were fun and really cool, but there other moments that didn’t work. “Described as a space western, the film is centered on a young Han Solo and his adventures with his Wookiee side-kick Chewbacca, including their encounter with Lando Calrissian.” One of the best parts of the movie are the payoff’s to set-ups that were set-up in the original trilogy, it truly was an origin story and the movie reveled in that, as well as reveling in the Star Wars mythos. It helps give more weight to lines Solo says in the original trilogy as well as giving objects that had no importance before much more importance.

The main cast turned out great performances, with a notable Donald Glover playing a younger iconic Lando Calrissian, previously played by Billy Dee Williams. His portrayal is true to the character and very enjoyable to watch, some of the best scenes even include him; he also put on a voice that sounded more likely Williams. Aside from him, none of the other performances really stood out, they were good, but not amazing as I’d like them to be. Then there’s Alden Ehrenreich and Emilia Clark, who played the titular character and his love interest, respectively. I think Ehrenreich did well and emulated Harrison Ford’s version of Solo pretty accurate and Emilia Clark was as good in her performance like the rest of the cast, but where they struggle and where the movie struggles as well is that Ehrenreich and Clarke’s relationship in the film lacked the chemistry necessary for the audience to care for their plight. It hurts the movie significantly because part of Han’s motivation and his inner character development stems from his relationship with Qi'ra (Clarke) and I don’t think the movie delivered on that regard.

Another flaw the movie has is Solo’s character development, not just with Qi'ra, but with his actions at the end of the movie. I didn’t think that Solo’s character progressed to a point where he could make the choice he made; at the very least I didn’t see his character get to that point. Speaking of development flaws, Chewbacca doesn’t really get a good amount of  screen time in the movie to connect with Solo, they spend some time, but not enough to really form a bond that is evident in "A New Hope". It’s more of a nitpick at best because the movie is called Solo and the need to focus on the main character who’s name is in the title, trump’s the need to develop one relationship among several, but as Chewbacca is a good part of Solo’s character, more is expected.

All in all the movie is a fun space romp that creates some great moments and is an okay movie that is still better than the prequels.

Written by Dallas Fitzmartin