Solo: A Star Wars Story is an early adventure of Han Solo, kind of an origin story about a bunch of things in the Star Wars universe that were referenced in the original trilogy but never explained until now. Like the previous Rogue One before it, Solo seeks to expand the side stories of that original trilogy even as it was unnecessary.

Really, part of the appeal is that we are left with the mystery of those things. Solo is enjoyable as was Rogue One but it doesn’t need to exist. The story is a great heist and criminal underworld story set in outer space. The characters are fun and funny. The Star Wars elements were really the least interesting parts. Alden Ehrenreich, as Han Solo, is likeable, as is Donald Glover as Lando Calrissian. The whole cast is interesting with the possible exception of Paul Bettany as the main antagonist. I found him really annoying. Emilia Clarke was okay as Q’ra as was Woody Harrelson as Beckett. I do have to admit I really liked seeing Chewbacca let loose, much like seeing Vader in Rogue One, he actually had a bit of an arc, unlike much of the original trilogy where he was firmly a sidekick. I didn’t fully understand his motivation for staying with Han but he had a bit of a history all his own. He was played by Jonas Soutama and, I suspect some cgi for his mouth as it was far more movable than I’ve ever seen it, though not over the top.

There was a cameo appearance that, while I won’t spoil, does confuse the timeline for me although I am aware of how it would work. They were very obviously setting up a sequel.

Entertaining space opera if not a great Star Wars flick.

-all photos via IMDb.com.