Lost in space.
It bears reminding that Disney's quest to take over the world came into great focus after they purchased Lucasfilm for $4 billion back in 2012. This purchase came with the promise that not only would there be a new trilogy of "Star Wars" films, but also spin-off films of some of our favorite characters. One of the more beloved characters who was announced as getting his own Solo adventure was Han Solo, which was met with a resounding meh. Throw in the casting of Alden Ehrenreich and the firing of directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller of the "Jump Street" movies fame, and "Solo: A Star Wars Story" seemed doom from the start. The opening weekend results haven't been pretty, as "Solo" had the worst opening of the new "Star Wars" films, but the rumors of pre-production problems and box office competition doesn't mean the film is a bomb, right?
"Solo" sees a young Han Solo (Alden Ehrenreich) attempting to escape orphanage on the planet Corellia with his first love, Qi'ra (Emilia Clarke). After separating during their escape, Han vows to return for Qi'ra but joins the Imperial Navy to escape capture. After being expelled for insubordination and becoming an infantryman for the Empire, Han meets a group of criminals, led by Tobias Beckett (Woody Harrelson), who plan to steal the valuable resource known as coaxium for the evil crime syndicate known as Crimson Dawn for their leader, Dryden Vos (Paul Bettany). Along with the help of a Wookie named Chewbacca (Joonas Suotamo), Solo joins the gang the origin of Han Solo's legend is revealed.
It needs to be said that perhaps no one could aptly portray a character made so legendary by Hollywood stalwart Harrison Ford, but Alden Ehrenreich is no Han Solo. Ehrenreich doesn't have much charisma or screen presence, making him a dud as Han Solo. A resounding 90 percent or so of his jokes fall flat, and his sweet talking in negotiations nowhere near matches that of Harrison Ford. And call it nitpicking, but the man is barely taller than his female counterpart in Emilia Clarke, so how are we to believe this guy is the legendary space cowboy Han Solo?
Speaking of Ehrenreich's female counterpart, Emilia Clarke barely resonates as Han's first lover, and her arch is beyond predictable. Donald Glover, who plays Lando Calrissian, seems to be doing a bad impression of Billy Dee Williams, who was the original Lando. Any hype surrounding Glover's portrayal of the 2nd most sleazy space cowboy next to Solo is unwarranted, as his performance disappointments. Paul Bettany is an afterthought as a villain, and when your best characters are secondary ones such as the always likable Woody Harrelson and a character who cannot speak English in Chewbacca, your film more than likely has a tremendous problem on its hands.
It doesn't help the dialogue is bad, and the actors cannot bring it to life or rise above it. Most of it is exposition, and the cracks of preproduction definitely show in the films' script. The action in "Solo" isn't inventive or imaginative, a crushing blow to a film that is surprisingly boring throughout, making this "Star Wars" story a slog to get through.
The only positive in the film revolves around a cameo appearance from one of the most under-appreciated villains in "Star Wars" lore. I found myself nerding out at the appearance of this character, but to have to sit through two hours of the film just to get a two-minute cameo is torture.
"Solo: A Star Wars Story" is a Solo venture that should have never been greenlit. Its preproduction problems undoubtedly seeped into the script, its action never excites, and the casting falls incredibly flat. If not for the one easter egg towards the end of the film, "Solo" would be a colossal waste of time. As it stands, "Solo: A Star Wars Story" is the worst "Star Wars" film since "Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones" and gets lost in space.
Rating: 1 out of 4 Stars. Skip it.
"Solo: A Star Wars Story" stars Alden Ehrenreich, Emilia Clarke, Woody Harrelson, Joonas Suotamo, Donald Glover, Thandie Newton, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Jon Favreau, and Paul Bettany. It is in theaters now.
