I owe Solo an apology!

Hi, I’m Lisa, and I’m a fangirl.  I’ve never been ashamed to admit that I am a fangirl.  In fact, I wear like it a badge of honor. I love many fandoms, but one of my favorites is Star Wars. When I was little, the Stormtroopers freaked me out so I was hesitant to watch Star Wars: A New Hope. In the end, my mom convinced me I would like it, and all these years later, here I am, a proud nerd.  I love everything about Star Wars (ok not the prequels…Jar Jar…blue screen…so much whining…let’s save that for a different blog). I love the new movies, yes, even The Last Jedi, sorry to those fanboys and girls that still feel betrayed over it, but I liked it and I’m excited to see where the last one takes us.  Rouge One: A Star Wars Story was fantastic in my opinion.  I loved the story and the characters, and it reawakened a feeling in me that I hadn’t really had since I discovered Star Wars so many moons ago.  Then came the announcement of Solo.

To be fair, I wasn’t thrilled they were making it in the first place.  I don’t know if everything needs to be explained in a one-off movie, and I thought there were other stories to explore besides Han’s story.  I was happy knowing what I knew about Han from the movies. I didn’t think I needed a movie to show it to me.  I also couldn’t imagine anyone playing Han Solo like Harrison Ford! I mean…it’s Harrison Ford!  So, when they announced Alden Ehrenreich as young Han, I wasn’t sold at all.  I might have yelled NOOOOOO! (picture Darth Vader, you get the idea).  Then the first two directors were fired and Ron Howard was brought in to finish the movie.  This was the one beacon of hope I had left for the film.  I admit it, I was that fangirl that shit all over Solo without seeing it, I thought the casting was wrong and then to hear there were production problems, a directing change. I was out!  I’m not usually like that, I’m usually overlypositive about all movies to the point that my friends and fellow nerds discard my opinion because I love everything.  

Regardless of my initial feelings, I was going to see Solo anyway even if only to confirm my pre-movie feelings that it wouldn’t be good.  I sat there in the dark theater, arms crossed, waiting…then it happened.  The movie kicks off with such a fun action sequence, that despite myself, I was already hooked and then it was just a damn fun ride for the rest of the movie.  I don’t want to give any spoilers in this blog, but there are so many great moments throughout the movie and a surprise at the end that will have Star War fans going crazy like they did in my theater.  Also, thank you Ron Howard for the little wink to Willow! 

I loved the cast! I never thought I would say it, but I really loved Alden Ehrenreich portrayal of young Han.  I think he did a great job of showing us how Han evolved into who we love today.  Donald Glover was great as Lando and Woody Harrelson is just fantastic in pretty much everything he’s in.  L3 was fun to watch and had some great moments and of course Emilia Clarke as Qi’ra leaves me wanting to know everything about her character!  

I was so wrong about this movie! Solo, I’m so sorry for shitting on you for months without seeing the movie first.  Lesson learned, I will never doubt the power of the force again! Do not let your feelings about The Last Jedi or anything that makes you have a grudge against Star Wars/Disney cloud your judgment from seeing this film.  It is worth your time and money. I recommend seeing it in IMAX (just my 2 cents).

Bottom line, watching Solo made me feel like a kid discovering Star Wars for the first time.  It made me laugh, cry and fall in love with Han, Chewy and the Millennium Falcon all over again! What more can you ask for in a movie?