Solo: A Star Wars Story (Ron Howard 2018)

[Holko 9,499]

Now I realise the movie will be even worse on a home rewatch, since by then I'll know every note of the OST (yes, I love it that much), and combined with my then-hazy memory of the movie, I will involuntarily but inevitably make it up in my head to be much better while listening.

[Pellaeon 593]

4 hours ago, Chen G. said:

But that's not the point of a prequel, now is it?

 

Isn’t it? A “prequel” is a “sequel” set in a prior time period… But it’s still just a sort of sequel.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

4 hours ago, Chen G. said:

But that's not the point of a prequel, now is it?

 

Doesn't that depend? 

[Chen G. 3,943]

You're right, it does. Something like Temple of Doom is a sequel, but diegetically its a prequel. But that kind of thing can happen because of the episodic nature of the series.

 

Here, certainly with the actual episodes, the authorial intent is that you'll watch them in their narrative order. I always appreciate it when prequels can make that work.

[Holko 9,499]

And Star Wars really can't.

[Chen G. 3,943]

True.

 

If a new audience were to watch the episodes in their narrative order, Episode III would take away the twists of both Episodes V and VI.

 

Another thing is that Return of the Jedi isn't a very satisfying conclusion even for just the two films that immediately precede it, much less by five films or, now, seven!

[Pellaeon 593]

Authorial intent changed, and changed, and changed again.

 

The 1977 movie obviously started in medias res for no other reason than George Lucas likes the idea of starting movies in medias res.

 

Another good example is Raiders, where the whole cold open is meant to make you feel like you’re tuning in to an episode in the middle of a serial—and you just didn’t happen to see last week’s episode. And last week’s episode would have had twists and turns and adventures with Jock ending up in Peru (it’s not been Temple of Doom).

 

Well, that’s where Rogue One feels more like a proper Ep.3, because it lands you right at the beginning of Ep.4. Of course, I say more like a proper Ep.3, but a really proper Ep.3 would have involved the same characters as Ep.4 a bit more. The first three chapters of the SW Radio Drama accomplish this brilliantly.

[Holko 9,499]

Just now, Pellaeon said:

The first three chapters of the SW Radio Drama accomplish this brilliantly.

That thing is a masterpiece.

[mstrox 6,643]

Solo was pretty good.

[Indianagirl 298]

Back to original topic.....I really enjoyed Solo and thought Alden did as well as could possibly be hoped for. 

[Chen G. 3,943]

6 minutes ago, Indianagirl said:

thought Alden did as well as could possibly be hoped for. 

 

That's fine, but how's the actual story?

[Quintus 5,399]

Just now, Chen G. said:

 

Performance is so over-rated.

 

[Indianagirl 298]

 

10 minutes ago, Chen G. said:

 

Performance is so over-rated.

 

How's the story?

 

The story is good. The film is basically a character piece. Well....as much of a character piece as a Star Wars film could be. The story is light and fun and fits snuggly inside the canon. The film fleshes out and spells out Han's character further. It's a good time at the movies.  

 

I think I personally preferred Rogue One but that's subjective. I really enjoyed Solo especially the ending and I don't mean the cameo. 

[Disco Stu 15,495]

There's a profile of Lawrence Kasdan in the NY Times

 

He’s Tried to Leave ‘Star Wars’ Before. Will This Be It?

[Nick Parker 3,040]

Thanks for posting that, fun interview! I didn't know he turned down the prequels...I just wanna see this dude make more movies.

[Gruesome Son of a Bitch 6,488]

Elements I enjoyed:

 

- The main actor

- Han being driven by a woman and ultimately betrayed by her

- Woody

[The Illustrious Jerry 3,356]

Dryden Vos is the best!!!

Enfys Nest was badass too, but the flop reveal ruins it a bit.

[Indianagirl 298]

36 minutes ago, Batman's Diet Coke said:

- Han being driven by a woman and ultimately betrayed by her

 

 

Did she betray him? Or was her final act one of protection because she loved him? We now know who she is really working for. That character doesn't know Han exists. I think she loved Han. I think she let him go to save him from life she couldn't get out of.  That was my take anyway. 

[John 2,032]

14 hours ago, The Illustrious Jerry said:

Dryden Vos is the best!!!

 

Meh, I felt Paul Bettany was a bit wasted in this. His Scarface character was cool and all, but I wish he had survived the film instead of being revealed as an underling of a bigger baddie.

[Disco Stu 15,495]

I thought Bettany’s performance was the best in the film.  Riveting unpredictable psycho is always fun.

[Gruesome Son of a Bitch 6,488]

The less said about the Lando robot and that Oz the Great and Powerful monkey recycled from the ILM hard drive the better.

[Indianagirl 298]

They didn't take up too much film time. 

[The Illustrious Jerry 3,356]

10 hours ago, Indianagirl said:

Did she betray him? Or was her final act one of protection because she loved him? We now know who she is really working for. That character doesn't know Han exists. I think she loved Han. I think she let him go to save him from life she couldn't get out of.  That was my take anyway. 

Well yes. But Qi'ra had gotten too caught up in Crimson Dawn after she was separated from Han. She loved him, but she was in this life for good, so she had to keep going with it and not get Han involved because she loved him, even if it costs them their relationship. 

 

Dryden Vos was the best!

 

Spoiler

Should have kept him kicking for a sequel, but the door is open for Jabba, Boba Fett, and now Maul to be the main villain.

 

[mstrox 6,643]

I think Bettany was good.  I would have loved to see Michael K. Williams' original version.

 

https://heroichollywood.com/star-wars-concept-dryden-vos/

 

 

[Disco Stu 15,495]

2 minutes ago, mstrox said:

I think Bettany was good.  I would have loved to see Michael K. Williams' original version.

 

https://heroichollywood.com/star-wars-concept-dryden-vos/

 

 

 

I would agree if it was a Michael K. Williams on-camera performance with make-up.  The idea of that character as mocap CGI with some weird alien design doesn't excite me at all.

[mstrox 6,643]

Yeah, my excitement only stems from the performer, and not from the possibility of a weird alien.

[Jurassic Shark 12,024]

It should have been John Williams in an unforgettable cameo.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

The Growing Emptiness of the “Star Wars” Universe

 

Some valid points.

 

 

[John 2,032]

Quote

Although many talented actors have appeared in the latter-day “Star Wars” movies—Natalie Portman, Oscar Isaac, John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Ewan McGregor, and so on—none have seemed as present and vivid as Fisher and Ford in the original films. (For my money, only Felicity Jones, in "Rogue One" and Laura Dern, in "The Last Jedi" have come close.)

 

Both were weak, forgettable performances. Better than Ridley? Boyega? I don't think so. This guy's taste is questionable.

[Chen G. 3,943]

Quote

”Solo” is an entertaining movie[...]It’s also distressingly forgettable—it’s about nothing.

 

That's consistent with what I've been hearing, as well.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

1 hour ago, John said:

 

Both were weak, forgettable performances. Better than Ridley? Boyega? I don't think so. This guy's taste is questionable.

 

True. Daisy Ridley caused something of a sensation in late 2015. And it wasn't because of the marketing. It just happened.

[Kasey Kockroach 2,343]

It's the abs. The abs did it.

[Disco Stu 15,495]

I fell head over heels for Space Dern, honestly.  I can acknowledge that the Poe-Space Dern arc could've used some finessing WHILE still also liking what it was going for in terms of Poe's development.  But viewed as a character in and of herself, Space Dern is fantastic.

[Kasey Kockroach 2,343]

Her hair was adorable, I'll give her that.

[Disco Stu 15,495]

I'm honestly touched every time I watch her final scene with Leia.  Dern acted the hell out of that.

[The Illustrious Jerry 3,356]

4 minutes ago, Disco Stu said:

I fell head over heels for Space Dern, honestly.  I can acknowledge that the Poe-Space Dern arc could've used some finessing WHILE still also liking what it was going for in terms of Poe's development.  But viewed as a character in and of herself, Space Dern is fantastic.

I did like that whole arc. It showed that even the good guys have rifts in their alliance groups. There are many different personalities and personas clashing together in the forming of the Resistance. Poe is a trigger-happy flyboy. Holdo wanted to protect the light. It makes sense.

[Kasey Kockroach 2,343]

There should have been a hair competition, between Leia's bunhead and Space Dern's pinkness! It would have been so cute! 

 

[The Illustrious Jerry 3,356]

Galactic Beauty Pageant: A Star Wars Story

And the winner is...

Original meme by The Illustrious Jerry. Circa 2018.

 

[Kasey Kockroach 2,343]

Galactic Beauty Pageant: A Star Wars Story

Music by Patrick Doyle

[Sharkissimo 1,973]

2 hours ago, Stefancos said:

The Growing Emptiness of the “Star Wars” Universe

 

Some valid points.

 

Quote

 In origin stories, people almost never contain multitudes, and circumstances rarely leave room for choice; “Solo” discovers that the young Han is pretty much identical to the older one, with the same skills, mannerisms, and values. It would’ve been interesting to learn that Han was once a sensitive boy with a musical gift, or a talented athlete with prospects for the pros, or a genuinely flawed person in need of improvement. Instead, he turns out to have no hidden self and nothing to regret. Our understanding of him does not change.

 

I like this idea. Five Easy Pieces in space.

 

[Nick Parker 3,040]

1 hour ago, Chen G. said:

 

That's consistent with what I've been hearing, as well.

 

Though of course criticism is subjective, I find memorability to be one of the most nebulous and unreliable criteria. It took me ten listens to be able to remember the main melody of Raiders March, does that mean anything about it?

[Holko 9,499]

Just now, kaseykockroach said:

Galactic Beauty Pageant: A Star Wars Story

Music by Patrick Doyle

 

If the score was anything like Entering the Great Hall, I'd watch the crap out of that.

[Kasey Kockroach 2,343]

I was thinking it'd be more like Cinderella. With Captain Phasma as the wicked stepmother and Rey as Cinderella!

[Indianagirl 298]

23 minutes ago, Stefancos said:

 

True. Daisy Ridley caused something of a sensation in late 2015. And it wasn't because of the marketing. It just happened.

 

There is something very honest, sweet, and likeable about her.

[The Illustrious Jerry 3,356]

33 minutes ago, kaseykockroach said:

I was thinking it'd be more like Cinderella. With Captain Phasma as the wicked stepmother and Rey as Cinderella!

And the parents...?

[Chen G. 3,943]

39 minutes ago, Nick Parker said:

Though of course criticism is subjective, I find memorability to be one of the most nebulous and unreliable criteria.

 

Its not so much that its memorable or not - that's but the outcome of having a focused narrative; which, I am told, Solo hasn't.

[John 2,032]

1 hour ago, Chen G. said:

Its not so much that its memorable or not - that's but the outcome of having a focused narrative; which, I am told, Solo hasn't.

 

Why don’t you watch the movie for yourself, instead of basing your entire opinion of it based only on what you’ve heard from others?

[Chen G. 3,943]

I have an intellectual interest in film, but in terms of actually going to see films, I'm much more of a casual filmgoer: I only see a select couple of theatrical releases a year.

[Disco Stu 15,495]

For real.  Lobbing specific criticisms at a movie you haven't seen is... you fill in the blank

[Jurassic Shark 12,024]

I found the narrative of Solo quite focused.