Lee's Review: "Solo: A Star Wars Story"
"I've been running scams on the streets since I was ten. I was kicked out of the flight academy for having a mind of my own. I'm gonna be a pilot. The best in the galaxy." -- Han Solo
(WLTX) - A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away...a cocky "scrumrat" named Han longs to escape his home planet of Corellia and become the fastest pilot in the sector. But, before he can follow through on this life goal, he'll have to serve the Imperial Navy, get a sidekick and get mixed up with the right group of culprits.
And, at some point, he'll have to acquire a ship - one that can make the Kessel Run in less than 20 parsecs. Because, if they don't, their own contraband will explode! So, once again, the right introduction is key.
While it's nice to see everything that molds our hero into the space cowboy we know and love, it feels like we're painting by the numbers. Just like in previous prequels, we already know what's going to happen. We're just waiting on the how and when. If we've learned anything over the years, it's that Star Wars movies NEED the element of surprise. And, yes, that also applies to the comedy.
Ron Howard was recruited as director, after the first six months, for "damage control." I can't help but wonder what the movie would be like had he been there from the start. Whatever the case, it's not up to his standards. Nor is it up to those of Star Wars fanboys...like the Leemoji!
If there's a question of discretion, there are some action sequences with a degree of violence. But that's what the people are paying for - so no surprise there.
The bigger surprise is that they couldn't make a more exciting movie. Just another unnecessary prequel.
