Why do we need Solo: A Star Wars Story?
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To answer this question, I’ll ask another one. Why does my dad research our family’s ancestry? There’s value in knowing where we as a family have come from, how we got to this point. I wondered why my family left behind our Greek roots and changed our surname (besides the obvious “Abramopoulos” is hard to spell). Learning about my family’s history brings context. It makes the men and women on my family tree feel like people and not just a series of names and dates.
Solo: A Star Wars Story brings the same context to Han Solo. The origin story brings depth to the man we have learned to care for in two-hour blocks in the previous films in the Star Wars library, albeit ten two-hour blocks to date.
The film begins with a young Han Solo (played by Alden Ehrenreich). He is a scrumrat, an orphan, and a survivor.
Han Solo is Aladdin doing what it takes to scrape by.
Han Solo is Oliver Twist, an unnamed orphan struggling in cruel poor houses.
Han Solo is Bruce Springsteen, born to run with a scrappy sarcasm and a good heart.
We’ve learned in previous films that Han Solo is a smuggler who can do the Kessel run in twelve parsecs. He exhibits softness in his dealings with those he loves, but he’s still a criminal. Collectively, we as an audience have decided to look past his shady business dealings. We love Han Solo (even if shot first). But when we are introduced to the character, he’s an adult. Just as I may wonder why my grandfather altered his birth certificate to leave his homeland, we as a Star Wars-loving audience wonder where Han came from.
Solo: A Star Wars Story is our answer. To know Han in a new way and to understand his beginnings, makes him seem more real. The heart wrenching loss in The Force Awakens becomes deeper, more real. I watched this character grow from a brave orphan to the scoundrel who will do the right thing, even if it is begrudgingly. I’m invested in him in ways I wonder before. I can’t tell him the odds, but I want things to work out for Han.
Why do we need Solo?
Because we need Han. And knowing the fate that befalls him, this fan is thrilled to have as much Han as I can get.
Why do we need Solo?
Because there are more people in the universe than just Han.
As much as Solo is about its title characters, it’s also Chewie’s origin story. Yes, it’s the story of Han Solo but Han shares a significant amount of screen time with Chewbacca, as well as new droids and characters. The relationship between Han Solo and Chewbacca, his Wookie companion, makes a movie about a solo character more of a buddy movie. Solo: A Star Wars Story details how the salty duo became friends and how the Millennum Falcon became home.
With tinges of social awareness embedded into the plot, new droids bring both talking points and entertainment. No C-3PO appears on screen, but the L3-37 (Phoebe Waller-Bridge) is an enlightened droid. Her interest in droid rights adds complexity.
Lando Calrissian (played by Donald Glover) was smooth and sophisticated. I do wish I were able to see more of him in Solo, probably because I have serious cape-envy.
Why do we need Solo?
It’s another peek at a character treasured by fans. Solo: A Story Wars Story answers how the character who grew into Harrison Ford’s Han Solo came to be. Audiences receive the context fall deeper for in admiration for the smuggler who marries a general, the orphan who become our family.
Solo: A Star Wars Story is now available on blu-ray. Share your thoughts on the movie in the comments.
Tags:Star Wars
30 Comments
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I can’t wait to see this movie! Han Solo and Chewbacca definitely are worthy of their own movie and storyline. The “how we got to this point” is an important part of the story.
Looks like a movie our whole family would enjoy thanks for reviewing it good job. It’ll be on my must watch list!
I’m not a big Star Wars fan, but reading this makes me want to see the movie.
I’ve seen a few of the star wars movies but not this one yet! You are very knowledgable about star wars!
I liked the first Star Wars but they lost me after that. It was just too much. Chewbacca though… I still have the little stuffed animal, lol. His story I would love to know and might make watching this worthwhile.
Can’t wait to not go see the movie and be annoyed by all the star wars fans around me. Excuse me, I’m gonna go see the new Sandra Bullock movie in the meantime^^
This is a great review! I haven’t even seen any of the star wars movies! You really have me wanting to binge watch them all!
Looking forward to watching the movie this weekend. Hope it’s good!
The Star Wars movies are awesome! I can’t wait to see Solo!
This is a great post! I love your take on the movie and why we need it! IT is so true. I am not a huge star wars fan compared to the entire rest of my family, but I know I will see this one and enjoy it as always.
We are Star Wars fans, and we are looking forward to seeing this. We are heading to Disney next week, so I’m hoping there will be some Han Solo stuff when we go. Thanks for more info about the movie!
What a nice post! My family would love this, they are avid Star Wars fans. I have to send them this link! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
This is another MUST SEE for us! Thanks for your thoughts!
My family are huge Star Wars fans 🙂 We haveadog named Obie and another Leia lol
Great article! ????
Another Star Wars is out, I see! Cool! Can’t wait to see this and learn about the background story!
I CAN NOT WAIT TO SEE THIS FILM. god I love star wars and a solo story is a necessity!
I really wish I could see this movie. Maybe I will later today!
It’s so funny, my boyfriend will flip over this. I, on the other hand, have no idea what this is about, I have never seen any Star Wars movies. LOL
I was able to attend a pre-screening yesterday and it was amazing! I agree with you – there is value in knowing where we’re from. This made me want to go watch all the movies again and see how everything ties together.
I seriously had never watch Star Wars, ever…maybe few minute here few minute there, but I bet my kids and hub will love this movie!
It’s time, Ina! 🙂
We need Solo because he is Chewy’s best friend and I have loved Chewy since I was 4 and saw my first Star Wars movie! I can’t wait to see this movie!!
You’ll definitely be thrilled to see the movie then. Lots of Chewie!
Seeing this movie tomorrow and I can’t wait! Han Solo is my favorite character and always has been!
Its been many years since I watched a Star Wars movie, but your review brought back the memories of the original movie. The characters and philosophy have lived on for a long time! Thanks for the great review.
I love this post and cannot wait to see the movie. My 5 year old is excited too because ”Mommy’s Chewy is in it!!!”
Chewie is the best!
I’m so far behind on the Star Wars prequels! Must catch up! Great article!
Looks like a great movie. It will be a great to watch with friends and family
Great review. We’ve seen most of the Starwars movies because we have kids. Not this one though.