David Pierdomenico
We all knew it was bound to happen eventually. With Disney’s releasing a Star Wars film every single year from now on, it was only a matter of time before one such film brought back the stupidity that was the prequels. And it only took four films to get us there…
Doomed From the Start?
There was a lot working against Solo from the early stages of production. After firing Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, Disney sought to salvage their Han Solo origin story by hiring an acclaimed heavy hitter, Ron Howard. It’s impossible to know what that original film would have looked like. Given Lord and Miller’s previous works 21 Jump Street and The Lego Movie, it would have been meta and interesting to say the least. But what is known is that with reshoots, the budget for Solo reached an estimated $400 million, making it by far the most expensive film in the entire franchise, which Disney will most likely soon regret.
It’s Not Sure What It Wants To Be
Like any other film that went through extensive reshoots, Solo suffers from an inconsistent tone. While not as jarring as Justice League, some scenes feel like they’re from a slapstick comedy, while others are melodramatic. In addition it tries to be a brilliant thriller by including an overabundance of plot twists that defy the film’s inherent continuity and logic. So many characters casually betray each other back and forth that it may as well have taken place in the “Betrayal Gardens” from Game of Thrones (as lampooned in the hilarious South Park episode). However, it must be addressed that there were a few (very few) elements it does well. The action scenes are extremely well shot and add a great deal of tension. Early on the film, Han joins the imperial ranks and as he is sent into a warzone, there is a gritty Vietnam-like tone to it. Had the rest of the movie been on that quality it could have been amazing. Additionally, the CGI is done well and blended with many practical effects so as to look more convincing.
It Doesn’t Know Its Own Characters
Fans were incredibly skeptical to see anyone playing the iconic role besides Harrison Ford. To his credit, Adlen Ehrenreich does the best he can and it is legitimately entertaining at times. Whatever faults the film has, it’s more a problem of story and character development rather than hammy acting. Hopefully this doesn’t ruin his career in the long run. What the film gets wrong is making Han Solo too much like Starlord from Guardians of the Galaxy. He’s goofy and pathetic at times, which makes Starlord endearing but it’s not who Han really is. Despite getting himself into difficult situations, sometimes by his own mistakes, Han always maintains an arrogant confidence to himself. Even when times seem desperate, he keeps a level head. Yet this version of Han shows weakness for the sake of punchlines. Donald Glover emulates Billy Dee Williams and does an excellent job bringing Lando to life. But as fun and charming as Lando is, his character really doesn’t add to the overall story. The screenwriters could have easily removed him and nothing would have been affected. Emilia Clarke isn’t given much to work with other than being a love interest. The chemistry feels forced and not at all natural like Han and Leia’s in the original trilogy. Woody Harrelson seems like he’s having a good time playing a scoundrel, as he often does. Jon Favreau voices a CGI alien that’s so annoying audiences aren’t sure if he’s being ironically corny or just plain dumb. Either way, we can all be grateful he doesn’t get much screen time. The highlight is the dynamic between Han and Chewbacca. It introduces him in a sincere and even poignant manner and does a great job of creating their friendship. Chewie is probably the only character it gets completely right, but it’s difficult to ruin a character whose only dialogue is roars and growls.
Fan Service Ultimately Ruins It
An inconsistent tone, plot, and characters don’t make Solo terrible, rather just mediocre. What ruins the film entirely is its many cheap attempts and fan service and winking to the audience as if to say, “Get it?” Rather than relying on its own merits, it seeks to gain points from the audience by nodding and referencing other things, one of the many mistakes Lucas himself made with his prequels. Such as having Han help out with rebels and even being offered a chance to join but telling them he’s just not ready to join a Rebellion yet. Or the several references to “this gangster from Tatooine.” However the most egregious example of this one cameo in particular (Google it if you want it spoiled). Not only does it feel cheap, but its inclusion disturbs the continuity of other Star Wars films. Darth Vader’s cameo in Rogue One as well as Yoda’s in Last Jedi were also examples of fan service. Yet in both of those cases, the cameos served the greater story and made sense. Up until that moment, Solo was okay at best. But after that moment it showed that Disney is just as capable of making ridiculous decisions like the prequels did. Whether it was a decision by Ron Howard, one of the Kasdans, Lucasfilm, or Disney itself, someone needs to be fired for it.
Why Rogue One Succeeded But Solo Doesn’t
Like Solo, Rogue One was another spinoff that technically wasn’t necessary. But it was much better than it had any business being. While it used Mon Mothma, Darth Vader, Grand Moff Tarkin, and Bail Organa, the main cast of characters were original to the film itself. So there were no expectations to live up to previous performances, especially ones as iconic as Harrison Ford’s Han Solo. Simply by doing a spinoff about a beloved character, it was only inviting disdain by fans. All it does is exemplify the very reasons the spinoffs aren’t necessary. Disney needs to pay close attention, so as to avoid disasters like this in the future.
