The Least-Watched Movie In The Star Wars Franchise Is Much Better Than I Remember

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As a Star Wars fan, it’s amazing to feel excited about going to the movies again. Just a few years ago, after The Rise of Skywalker didn’t do well with audiences or critics, it seemed like the future of Star Wars films was in trouble. That final movie in the sequel trilogy is now known for having one of the most criticized endings in science fiction.

The latest Star Wars trilogy disappointed many viewers, but the franchise is now regaining popularity thanks to shows like The Mandalorian and Andor, which have created excitement for new movies. With The Mandalorian & Grogu coming out later this year and a film starring Ryan Gosling as a Starfighter planned for the future, fans are looking forward to what’s next.

I recently finished watching all the Star Wars movies, which I’d been planning to do for ages! Seeing them in a different order gave me a fresh perspective, and I realized I’d underestimated one of them. Solo: A Star Wars Story is actually really good!

Solo Is The Most Forgotten Star Wars Movie

Despite dedicated fans revisiting the sequel trilogy yearly, the film Solo, directed by Ron Howard, is often skipped – many have even forgotten it exists. It was the first Star Wars movie to underperform at the box office after 41 years of successful films. A combination of audience burnout from sequels and differing expectations led to negative reviews and poor sales worldwide.

Despite a 69% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the movie is considered fresh and offers a look at the early life of Han Solo. It shows how he formed the important relationships that defined him before the events of the original Star Wars trilogy. Many viewers find Solo to be a genuinely enjoyable Star Wars story, and it often grows on people with multiple watches due to its similar feel to the classic films.

Solo Brings The Caper Genre To Star Wars

I rarely enjoy movies as much as I do heist films. What makes them so great is the constant suspense, clever tricks, interesting characters, unexpected twists, fun atmosphere, and exciting adventures – they’re perfect for relaxing after a long day.

Han Solo is a compelling character because he’s so self-assured. This makes him perfect for an adventure story – he’s always questioning where his loyalties lie until circumstances push him towards the rebel cause. Seeing him and his unlikely team pull off risky plans, betray each other, and deliver witty lines is incredibly entertaining.

The movie Solo cleverly revisits the Western influences that originally inspired Star Wars, as many classic heist stories began with the Westerns of Hollywood’s golden age. Though it doesn’t quite match the raw feel of those films, and some of its attempts at social commentary fall flat, Solo delivers the exciting, adventurous spirit you’d expect from a story about a young Han Solo, perfectly capturing his rebellious and daring nature.

Solo’s Flaws Aren’t As Big As I Remember

Although the movie has good intentions, Solo struggles when it attempts to address the Empire’s darker side and introduce depressing storylines. However, it handles death with genuine emotion and builds meaningful character moments that make the story more captivating. The film’s biggest problem is that it tries too hard to explain things that happened in the original Star Wars trilogy, even when those explanations aren’t needed.

While many of the references felt obvious, they were delivered in quick, passing lines that didn’t bother me much this time around. The biggest problem with Solo, though, is its dark and murky visuals, which are hard to ignore. According to Kathleen Kennedy, the film ultimately failed because it was released too soon after the divisive decision to kill off Han Solo.

Solo Perfectly Captures Han Solo’s Personality

The main difficulty in creating a film about a young Han Solo was recreating the special quality that Harrison Ford brought to the role when he first played it in 1977. Ford’s Han Solo was so popular because of his winning personality, his confident and sometimes pushy attitude, his laid-back style, and his emotional honesty – all qualities that made him a fan favorite in the Star Wars universe.

I was really impressed with Alden Ehrenreich as Han Solo. He perfectly captured the character’s confidence, rebellious nature, quick thinking, and that same lovable charm that eventually wins over Princess Leia. While the movie sometimes tries too hard to connect to the original Star Wars films, its overall lightheartedness actually fits Han’s personality well.

Solo Has A Great Ensemble Cast

One of the things I appreciated most about rewatching Solo: A Star Wars Story was realizing how talented the cast is. The chemistry between Alden Ehrenreich and Emilia Clarke made their characters’ romance feel believable, and it was fun to see Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s well-developed character, L3-37, again – she deserved a better story, and her role offered some interesting insights.

Paul Bettany, Woody Harrelson, and Thandiwe Newton all give strong performances, bringing their characters to life and enriching the story. Donald Glover is charming as Lando Calrissian, perfectly capturing the spirit of Billy Dee Williams’ portrayal in The Empire Strikes Back. Plus, Solo features more screen time for Chewbacca than any other Star Wars film – what’s not to enjoy?

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2026-03-07 01:03