Movie Review: Solo: A Star Wars Story

by Christina

ALNM Rating: 3/5
Directed by: Ron Howard
Starring: Alden Ehrenreich, Woody Harrelson, Emilia Clarke, Donald Glover, Thandie Newton, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Joonas Suotamo, Paul Bettany
Rating: PG-13
Available to watch: In theaters now
Review: No movie could live up to the expectations placed on the origin story of everyone's favorite space smuggler.  The film suffered from production issues, including replacing original directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller with Ron Howard during filming.  The biggest flaws I found in the movie lay in the predictability of the plot and a lack of connection with the characters.  Through the movie, it largely felt like it was hitting all the points on a checklist of our history with Han Solo.  I hope this gets a chance at a sequel to see what a young Han Solo film with a few more risks looks like.  Especially if it expands on THAT cameo towards the end.  For the most part, I didn't develop any attachment to the new characters.  None were radically unlikeable but also didn't catch my interest.  The standouts were Donald Glover as an effortlessly cool Lando Calrissian and Phoebe Waller-Bridge as his droid co-pilot.  Overall this is a fun heist film and visually pleasing, but that's about it.