It’s getting to a point where I like these newer non-Skywalker saga Star Wars films better than the saga films. As an avid role-playing gamer, the original Star Wars RPG from West End Games was more than just a game, it allowed us, the players, to make our own mark in George Lucas’ sandbox. To me, that meant more than the EU books/stories did, as much as I liked a number of those.
And to be honest, I think it’s one reason why I myself am so forgiving of the newer films, while toxic fandom continues to ruin what should be a golden age of genre films. Sure, I have an idea of how Episodes VII and VIII should have told the story, but they didn’t, and I’m okay with that. It’s not my story to tell, or I’d have my name in the credits under ‘Written by’ or ‘Directed by’.
Heck, I was actually picturing what my old characters (a bounty hunter and an Ewok) would be doing during The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi. Those are stories that I CAN tell.
But I digress.
Solo: A Star Wars Story is a fun movie. My initial ranking among the other films puts it between The Empire Strikes Back and The Force Awakens on my list, which makes it 5th in the top ten.
There were Easter eggs to other Expanded Universe material. There was a jaw dropping moment, equal to the one that was as much a surprise to me in Infinity War. Totally unexpected. But made sense, if you watched a certain animated series called Rebels.
One of the Easter Eggs almost made me yelp in excitement. Another one made me smile. Another, well, let’s just say that I need to re-read the Lando books.
And there were plenty of moments where I just had a huge grin on my face and tears forming in my eyes.
Was it the movie I’ve waited 40-odd years to see? Yes.
It was a movie that focused on Han Solo and Chewbacca and the Millennium Falcon.
And that’s all my 10-12 year old self wanted, after seeing Star Wars and reading the Brian Daley books.
The only things missing were Bollux and Blue Max, and Gallandro.
Recommended. Go see it! Two thumbs up! 3 out of 4 stars!