For those of us who like to get lost in the Star Wars universe, the latest mini-chapter has just been released: Solo, A Star Wars story and it won’t disappoint hard-core Star Wars fans.
In short, we are introduced to a very young Han Solo, how he meets Chewbacca and the beginning of his smuggling career.
As we’ve come to expect from a Star Wars episode, the effects are spectacular and the pace is frantic, if not too frantic at times and the characters are colourful with liberal doses of humour thrown in.
While the cast is made up of a lot of younger actors, including Alden Ehrenreich in the lead, supported by Emilia Clarke (Game of Thrones), it is the older, more experienced actors who tend to hold the story together, including Woody Harrelson and Paul Bettany as a deliciously evil villain.
Director Ron Howard (Apollo 13) keeps the pace moving and the overall Star Wars themes are prevalent throughout the film, yet there seems to be something missing, perhaps a sense of wonder that made the first instalments of the saga so intriguing.
Speaking of wonder and intrigue, there was one scene, where Darth Maul made a brief appearance, a character we haven’t seen since The Phantom Menace – one wonders if the athletic, colourful villain will make a reappearance in future Star Wars episodes?
I truly hope so, so long as he’s not joined by one of the least popular characters from the same episode – Jar Jar Binks.
If you’re a true Star Wars fan and in need of some pure escapism, then look no further than Solo: A Star Wars story to keep your faith in The Force.
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Rated: M for mature audiences
In cinemas: May 24
Distributor: Disney Studios
