I have one standout issue with Solo: A Star Wars Story: Alden Ehrenreich does not make a convincing Han Solo.
Don’t get me wrong, performance-wise Ehrenreich does a solid job, he's just not Han Solo. His performance imitates Harrison Ford’s demeanor but does not capture it. The primary reason why is Ehrenreich’s Han is too nice of a guy throughout the film. Yes, the film does give him a “Han Shot First” moment that’s meant as a coming of age transition into his Original Trilogy persona, but aside from that the smuggler does too many good deeds and helps too many noble causes for this Han to be the same abrasive anti-hero ten years later. He calls himself an outlaw, and even outright states he’s not a good guy, but his heroic actions tell an entirely different story. Such actions also take away from Han's character development in A New Hope when he has already done something quite similar in the past.
Don’t get me wrong, performance-wise Ehrenreich does a solid job, he's just not Han Solo. His performance imitates Harrison Ford’s demeanor but does not capture it. The primary reason why is Ehrenreich’s Han is too nice of a guy throughout the film. Yes, the film does give him a “Han Shot First” moment that’s meant as a coming of age transition into his Original Trilogy persona, but aside from that the smuggler does too many good deeds and helps too many noble causes for this Han to be the same abrasive anti-hero ten years later. He calls himself an outlaw, and even outright states he’s not a good guy, but his heroic actions tell an entirely different story. Such actions also take away from Han's character development in A New Hope when he has already done something quite similar in the past.
Aside from such gripe, however, I really enjoy Solo. The film is fun summer entertainment, and its key to success is its large cast of colorful characters. There’s Woody Harrelson as Tobias Beckett—essentially the Han Solo before Ehrenreich’s Han Solo became Ford’s Han Solo. A younger Lando played by Donald Glover who, unlike Ehrenreich, feels very much like his Original Trilogy counterpart. There’s the witty female droid L3 (Phoebe Waller-Bridge) who’s all about droid equality and believes Lando has a thing for her (an interesting element to put into the Star Wars lore—one that’s, most likely, been far more frequent in its fan fiction). Then there’s Han’s home planet ex-lover Qi’ra (Emilia Clarke) who ends up becoming a high-ranking member of the crime syndicate—the Crimson Dawn—Han works for (a cool twist I very much enjoy). Qi-ra’s boss Dryden Vos (Paul Bettany) is a highly entertaining antagonist—an affably evil man who one moment is asking how you’re doing and offering you drinks, then the next moment casually trying to murder you as if giving a light scolding.
An issue with these colorful characters is that most of them get offed before the end credits (save for the ones who are alive in the Original Trilogy), making them feel like wasted potential. Still, they’re an enjoyable bunch while they last, just as Solo: A Star Wars Story is an extraneous, yet enjoyable good time. There is one last aspect to mention, however, and that’s the reveal during Solo’s finale about a certain Crimson Dawn leader. This is an interesting choice to make, as it will leave many movie-only goers confused and possibly annoyed, while those who have followed the Star Wars comics and/or TV series may be pleasantly surprised and possibly enthralled to see such character make his return to the big screen. Being part of the latter group, I am ecstatic at the reveal, especially since such character is returning with their talented voice actor intact. I had little hype and hope for this spinoff prequel film, but after enjoying the ride and seeing its twist at the end, you can say I’ve found a New Hope in any possible Solo sequels…now please forgive my cringe-worthy pun (I wouldn't have made it if it hadn't been absolutely necessary).
