Solo: A Star Wars Story

THE GIST: Han dreams of traveling the galaxy on his own spaceship with his beloved Qi'ra. Separated, he joins the Empire, defects, joins a band of smugglers, meets new friends and foes, and eventually is reunited with his love, but things are now much different. A few double-crossings later, he finds himself helping the first makings of a rebellion.

Solo: A Star Wars Story is the second standalone movie in the Star Wars franchise after Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, and it's the first origin story for one of the most beloved characters in the saga, Han Solo, famously played by Harrison Ford.

I've heard a lot of grumblings from fans and critics about this film, but personally I think they did a very good job, crafting a tale that shows us the early life of Solo and how he became the man we first met in 1977's original Star Wars movie.

Alden Ehrenreich took on a big risk here, because the character of Solo is one of the most beloved in cinematic history and it's hard to imagine anyone but Ford playing him. Well, I think Ehrenreich did a wonderful job, succeeding in making the young version of Solo his own while also adapting many of the mannerisms that eventually would turn him into Ford's Solo. Bravo!

The gorgeous Joonas Suotamo donned the garb of Chewbacca and he's perfect (too bad you can't see him!). Woody Harrelson, Donald Glover, Thandie Newton, and Paul Bettany are all great. Emilia Clarke is not bad as Qi'ra, but seems a bit stiff.

THE BOTTOM LINE: Relentless action, excellent visual effects, an interesting origin story that takes great care to dovetail with both Solo's and future Star Wars installments' lore, and good acting. A worthy chapter in the saga.

Grade: 8