The Film (4/5)

    Han Solo is a character that has become a cinematic icon as portrayed by Harrison Ford. His story is well known through both the cinematic medium, and through novels, video games, and comics that expanded upon his back story, and his other adventures. Though those are no longer considered canon by LucasFilm, most of us feel like we "know" the story of Han Solo, hence making a Solo origin story is going to be tricky business. When Lucas Film announced Phil Lord and Chris Miller (The Lego Movie) as director's of the film, I immediately became interested. It was like they knew that telling Han's story was going to be impossibly difficult, and would need a humorous touch that only that duo could handle.

Unfortunately, they were ejected and replaced by Ron Howard.

Fortunately, the Solo movie as it turned out, ended up being quite possibly the single most "fun" Star Wars film since the franchise has been brought back.

    Solo follows Han  (Alden Ehrenreich) from his beginnings as an orphan criminal on Corellia, a desolate planet where he dreams of escaping along with his love Qi'ra. The two plan to escape the planet, and their servitude under Lady Proxima who offered them shelter and safety in exchange for criminal activities.  He ends up escaping with Qi'ra getting trapped behind. He ends up a member of the Empire, but again ends up escaping and getting involved with a heist operation to raise money to get his own ship.

    So there is a lot in this story you know, and then some new elements to keep it fresh. But honestly, this film felt more like a real Star Wars film then the last half dozen or so of them. Not that I didn't like them, but this was a simple pulpy space adventure. There were no high world ending stakes. It was Han Solo trying to get the money to buy his own ship, and reconnect with his lost love, and that's it. In the end, yes, it was unnecessary, but it was well executed and fun, and in the end that's all I personally need. Aiden Ehrenreich did a very solid job filling the shoes of Harrison Ford, but he didn't really try. He played Solo in his own distinct way, and it works.   I can't say what was shot by Lord/Miller and what was shot by Howard. In the end the film looks like a Star Wars film, and it's well paced, and just works.

Audio/Video (4/5)

    Disney presents Solo in a very solid 2:39:1 1080p transfer. Everything looks good hear, but the film itself looks quite flat and unremarkable which is oddly in contrast to the more recent films.   Still it's a very solid presentation that managers to encapsulate the look of the film.

   Audio is handled by a DTS-HD 7.1 track in English.  Everything is well balanced, and comes through crisp and clear with no apparent issues.

Extras (3.5/5)

    The disc has deleted scenes, a reading of the script, and plenty of featurettes sure to please fans.

Overall

    This one didn't get fans lining up for tickets at the box office, but it was a lot of fun. The Blu-ray looks and sounds quite good, and has a decent extras slate. RECOMMENDED.