“Solo” Never Achieves the Magic of Other “Star Wars” Stories

“Solo: A Star Wars Story” (Buena Vista)

“Solo: A Star Wars Story”is the story of the early life and adventures of Han Solo (Alden Ehrenreich). This is the character who was played by Harrison Ford in the other “Star Wars” movies. To put it bluntly, I don’t know Alden Ehrenreich but he is no Harrison Ford. That is the major problem with the movie. Most members of the viewing audience have been exposed to the charm, humor and power of Ford’s performance and they can’t marry that to the demeanor and methods of Ehrenreich.

But there are other problems, “Solo” does not start with the “Star Wars” scroll and it is missed. Just having words on the screen does not blend in with the overall “Star Wars” format. Then there is the lack of a triumphant musical score. That score is supposed to rouse the audience and churn up their emotions. Not in this movie it doesn’t.

There is also no suspense in this movie. No one has to worry about Han Solo because we all know he grows up to be THE Han Solo. So when he is piloting the Millennium Falcon through tight spaces in space there is no worry because we already know he is going to come out alright.

What does director Ron Hoard get right in this movie (and I am not going to address the directing team that was fired)? He does a great job of bringing forth Chewbacca (Joonas Suotamo). This is Solo’s best pal and the one character who is true to the spirit of the “Star Wars” franchise. He and Solo have a real friendship and their bonding harkens back to the other movies that came before this one.

It would seem on the surface that the casting of Donald Glover as Lando Cairissian would be a brilliant idea. If anyone [possesses charm and charisma it is Glover. Howard never lets him turn loose with his personality and we get a muted Lando who never brightens up the film in the way he was intended.

A robot called L3-37 (voiced by Phoebe Walter-Bridge) is a welcome addition to the cast. She has all the best lines and some of the best actions. I just wish there had been a scene where she meets C3PO. When you place her up against the human characters they come off lacking.

Woody Harrelson is in the movie as a crook named Beckett. It seems there cannot be a franchise without Woody being in it at some point. Think “Hunger Games”, “Planet of the Apes” and now “Star Wars.” He is okay in his role but nothing special.

Emilia Clarke is Qi’ra,” Solo’s love interest. I guess she was supposed to bring in the “Game of Thrones” crowd. She makes an acceptable romantic partner for the movie but it is not a dynamic one. Remember Leia and Solo? Now there was a pairing.

The film is rated PG-13 for violence.

Alden Ehrenreich previously appeared in the movies “Hail Caesar!” and “Rules Don’t Apply.” Neither of these performances indicated he was an actor ready to tackle the star making role of Han Solo. It was a big chance for him but the performance just didn’t pay off. He isn’t bad in the role; he just isn’t right for the role.

You can have a good time with “Solo: A Star Wars Story” but you won’t have a great time. That’s a shame because all the potential for a fun, action filled movie was there. It just never reached the screen.

I scored “Solo: A Star Wars Story” a long, long ago 5 out of 10.

Jackie K Cooper

www.jackiekcooper.com