Solo: A Star Wars Story

Based on the characters created by George Lucas, Solo: A Star Wars Story is the story of the early life of Han Solo and his journey to become a smuggler and how he would meet those who would impact his life. Directed by Ron Howard and screenplay by Jonathan and Lawrence Kasdan, the film is an origin story of sorts on the man who would become this famed smuggler in his early years as he takes part in a major heist as the character is played by Alden Ehrenreich. Also starring Woody Harrelson, Emilia Clarke, Donald Glover, Thandie Newton, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Joonas Suotamo, and Paul Bettany. Solo: A Star Wars Story is an exhilarating and adventurous film from Ron Howard.

The film is about a young man who is known for being a thief where he meets a smuggler and learns the trade where they all take part in a big job that will give him a big payday as well as a new way of life. It is simply an origin story of sorts of this man who would become the famous smuggler as he would later meet a Wookie named Chewbacca (Joonas Suotamo) who would become his best friend as they would find a trade that would make the money as well as defy the Imperial Empire. The film’s screenplay by Jonathan and Lawrence Kasdan definitely play into Han Solo’s origin as he started out as a young thief living in a planet with his girlfriend Qi’ra (Emilia Clarke) as they steal the extremely-valuable hyper fuel coaxium that is the source for hyperdrive speed for many ships. Solo is able to escape a gang and its boss for refusing to give the coaxium yet he is unable to help Qi’ra get out of the planet where he would sign up with the Imperial navy hoping to be a pilot.

Instead, he ends up on an infantry line three years later where he would meet the famed smuggler Tobias Beckett (Woody Harrelson) posing as an Imperial officer as he and his team that include his wife Val (Thandie Newton) and an alien named Rio Durant (voice of Jon Favreau). Beckett would take in Solo in his team along with Chewbacca whom Solo meets at a prison as they would learn the art of smuggling as they also have to deal with a band of marauders known as the Cloud Riders. Solo would learn that Beckett works for a crime boss named Dryden Vos (Paul Bettany) who is part of a famed crime syndicate known as Crimson Dawn where Solo also learns that Qi’ra is Vos’ lieutenant. With the help of another smuggler in Lando Calrissian (Donald Glover) and his droid L3-37 (voice of Phoebe Waller-Bridge), Solo, Chewbacca, Qi’ra, and Beckett would take on a mission to retrieve a large shipment of unrefined coaxium in the mining planet of Kessel. There, Solo learns about not just the art of smuggling but also the lesson of not to trust anyone as well as what it means to survive.

Ron Howard’s direction is grand which is expected in a big space-operatic adventure as it play into a galaxy that is under the rule of the empire but also the emergence of a rebellion happening. Shot largely at Pinewood Studios in London, England along with additional locations in Italy and the Canary Islands, the film does play into this world that is dystopian and troubling where it begins with Han and Qi’ra both being thieves in an act of survival as they’re forced to work for a crime boss. Howard’s usage of wide shots capture the scope of the world that Han Solo is in as well as the rule of the Imperial Empire as it watches over so much of the galaxy. Howard’s usage of medium shots and close-ups play into some of the drama and humor as it relates to character interaction including the scene where Solo meets Chewbacca for the very first time as it is unveiled in a humorous manner. It’s among some of the scenes including the exchanges between Solo and Chewbacca that add to the many nuances that is expected in their growing friendship.

Some of the humor is likely from the film’s original filmmakers in Phil Lord and Christopher Miller who were later fired from production with Howard taking over and re-shooting much of the film. Still, Howard does maintain that air of humor throughout the film as well as a sense of adventure though the tone does change a bit in the third act as it relate to what is at stake. Largely due to the twists and turns as it relates to Solo learning about the art of smuggling and what he has to do to survive as there are lessons that had to be learned. The tonal shifts is awkward along with some major revelations of who is leading the Crimson Dawn syndicate as well as the fact that even smugglers and marauders both have to play a side in this major conflict between the Imperial Empire and the rebellion that is to emerge. Yet, it would show where Solo’s loyalties lie but also what he has to do to stay alive in this conflict that he doesn’t want to be a part of. Overall, Howard creates a fun and thrilling film about the early adventures of a young smuggler and his furry friend.

Cinematographer Bradford Young does excellent work with the film’s cinematography as it play into the blue-grey look of some of the planets in the exteriors as well as some interior shading and the brightness in some scenes set in the snow or in a sandy island. Editor Pietro Scalia does terrific work with the editing as it is largely straightforward as it also include some rhythmic cuts to play into humor and action. Production designer Neil Lamont and senior art director Gary Tomkins do amazing work with the look of the spaceships and some of the places the characters go to including the mining colony and the interiors of the ship that would become the Millennium Falcon. Costume designers David Crossman and Glyn Dillon do fantastic work with the look of the costumes including the stylish and posh look of Qi’ra for her work with the Crimson Dawn as well as the capes that Lando wears.

Makeup designer Amanda Knight does brilliant work with the look of the characters such as Vos with his facial scars as well as the look of a few human characters while special creature make-up effects supervisor Neal Scanlan does incredible work with the look of the some of the aliens and creatures in the film. Special effects supervisor Dominic Tuohy and visual effects supervisor Rob Bredow do superb work with the special effects with its mixture of visual effects and old-school practical effects to create elements of realism into the world of space including a major sequence that would play into Solo’s legend. Sound designer Tim Nielsen and co-sound editor Matthew Wood do phenomenal work with the sound in creating sound effects in the ships and weapons as well as the atmosphere of the locations that the characters go to. The film’s music by John Powell is wonderful for its bombastic orchestral score that includes pieces by John Williams from the Star Wars films as it help play into the sense of adventure that the characters embark.

The casting by Nicole Abellera, Nina Gold, and Jeanne McCarthy do remarkable work with the casting as it include some notable small roles and performances from Anthony Daniels as a Wookie Chewbacca meets at the mining planet of Kessel, Clint Howard as a robot fight referee, Warwick Davis as a marauder, Linda Hunt as the voice of a known crime boss in Lady Proxima, Erin Kellyman as the marauders leader Enfys Nest, and Jon Favreau as the voice of Beckett’s alien pilot Rio Durant. Phoebe Waller-Bridge is terrific as the voice of Lando’s droid L3-37 as this droid that is very opinionated as well as being a skilled navigator while Joonas Suotamo is fantastic as the Wookie Chewbacca as this tall furry creature that would become Han Solo’s best friend as well as a creature of great strength. Thandie Newton is superb as Beckett’s wife Val as a smuggler who isn’t initially fond of Solo as she later realizes his value. Paul Bettany is excellent as Dryden Vos as crime lord who works for the Crimson Dawn syndicate that is in charge of the planned heist that Beckett is a part of as well as hoping to profit from this heist without doing much.

Donald Glover is brilliant as Lando Calrissian as Glover imbues many of the traits of the character as a smooth and charismatic smuggler that owns the Millennium Falcon as he also knows how to hustle and get things done. Emilia Clarke is wonderful as Qi’ra as Solo’s lover from the past as she has become Vos’ lieutenant as Clarke does some fine work though her character isn’t fully realized into her motivations as it’s one of the film’s weaker points. Woody Harrelson is amazing as Tobias Beckett as a famed smuggler who takes Solo into his team and show him the trade as well as what to do as a smuggler as it’s one of Harrelson’s finest performances as this grizzled man that has seen a lot but also reveals that the smuggling game is a devious game. Finally, there’s Alden Ehrenreich in an incredible performance as Han Solo as the younger version of the famed smuggler who learns the rope in being a smuggler as his motivation was to reunite with his lover as he later deals with the many attributes of survival while also being arrogant in what he can do where Ehrenreich imbues many of the qualities that the character is known for.

Solo: A Star Wars Story is a marvelous film from Ron Howard that features top-notch performances from Alden Ehrenreich, Woody Harrelson, Joonas Suotamo, and Donald Glover. Along with its supporting cast, dazzling visuals, John Powell’s score, and moments that are exciting and thrilling. It’s a film that manages to provide enough ideas of being entertaining as well as provide some ideas about one of cinema’s most beloved characters was doing before he became this legendary figure that audiences love. In the end, Solo: A Star Wars Film is a remarkable film from Ron Howard.

Star Wars Films: Star Wars - The Empire Strikes Back - Return of the Jedi - The Phantom Menace - Attack of the Clones - Revenge of the Sith - The Force Awakens - The Last Jedi - The Rise of Skywalker

Anthology Series: Rogue One: A Star Wars Story - (Untitled Star Wars Anthology Film)

Related: The Star Wars Holiday Special - Caravan of Courage - The Battle for Endor - The Clone Wars - Fanboys - The People vs. George Lucas - Rush (2013 film)

George Lucas Films: THX 1138 – (American Graffiti)

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Rush (2013 film)

Directed by Ron Howard and written by Peter Morgan, Rush is the story of famed rivalry between Britain’s James Hunt and Austria’s Niki Lauda during the 1970s in the Formula One racing circuit where both men gained famed in their rivalry. The film is a dramatic account in the way the rivalry began and how these two different men became great friends despite their competitiveness toward one another as Chris Hemsworth plays Hunt and Daniel Bruhl plays Lauda. Also starring Olivia Wilde, Alexandra Maria Lara, Natalie Dormer, Christian McKay, and Pierfrancesco Favino. Rush is a thrilling yet engaging film from Ron Howard.

The film is a simple story about this legendary rivalry between James Hunt and Niki Lauda that culminated in the 1976 Formula One racing circuit where both men pushed each other to the edge to see who is the better driver. Even as they would risk their lives to do so where Lauda would survive a severe crash that left part his face burned and inhaling toxic fumes that would force him to make a dramatic return to retain his world championship. Yet, it’s a film that is more about this rivalry but also an unlikely friendship between these two very different men who both come from rich families who didn’t support them as well as this need to prove to themselves in the world of Formula One racing. Even as both men would also endure highs and lows in their professional and personal lives as they would get married to different women.

Peter Morgan’s screenplay takes its time to explore the seeds of this rivalry between Hunt and Lauda which began in 1970 where the two men in a Formula Three race in Britain as the more brash Hunt would caught the ire of the more technical-based Lauda as the latter is more concerned with precision and making sure everything goes right in the car than the more adventurous Hunt. The first act showcases the two men struggling to get into the Formula One circuit where Lauda would have to take a loan to get into a racing team while Hunt would gain a rich supporter and the attention of being married to British supermodel Suzy Miller (Olivia Wilde) only to find himself without a proper sponsor. The second act is about the intensity of their rivalry which culminates in the 1976 Formula One racing season where Lauda would wed the German socialite Marlene (Alexandra Maria Lara) as well as endure the crash that nearly killed him. Then comes the third act where it isn’t just about Lauda wanting to return but also Hunt trying to deal with the guilt in believing that he was responsible for Lauda’s crash as he would try to prove to himself to be a world champion.

Ron Howard’s direction is quite stylish not just in its look but also in the way he tells the story as he doesn’t just focus on this legendary rivalry but also the world of these two men outside of the racing circuits and what drives them to succeed. Howard recreates that sense of energy of the 1970s where the world of Formula One racing was becoming mainstream and it attracted everyone from the rich to the working class. Much of it would be shot in an array of styles from hand-held cameras to elaborate crane shots to capture not just the intensity of the race but also in the way the audience reacts to what is happening. Even as Howard would use some extreme close-ups into what goes on inside the car and how it plays as this extension of the two different racers. Howard’s compositions towards the world outside of racing is more simplistic with a flair of style as it plays into those different lives of Hunt and Lauda as the former is quite crazy and comical while the other is more subdued. Yet, it would get more dramatic in the third act as it plays to Lauda’s struggle to get back in the racing circuit after his near-fatal accident as well as Hunt trying to win with some honor. Even as underneath all of that animosity towards one another, there is a sense of respect that the two would gain for each other. Overall, Howard creates a very engaging and mesmerizing film about one of the greatest rivalries in Formula One racing.

Cinematographer Anthony Dod Mantle does brilliant work with the film‘s very stylized and colorful cinematography that plays to not just that vibrant look of the 1970s but also to maintain something that feels gritty at times but also dream-like in some respects as Mantle‘s work is a major highlight. Editors Daniel Hanley and Mike Hill do fantastic work with the editing as it is very stylized with a lot of jump-cuts and montages to play into the energy of the races as well as the world that Hunt lives in. Production designer Mark Digby, with set decorator Michelle Day and supervising art director Patrick Rolfe, does terrific work with the set design from the look of the homes that the characters live in as well as the design of the cars and what they look like from the inside. Costume designer Julian Day does excellent work with the costumes from the look of the 70s clothing the women wear to play into that world as well as the racing jumpsuits the men wore in the race.

Hair/makeup designer Fae Hammond and prosthetic makeup designer Mark Coulier do superb work with the look of the hairstyle of the 1970s as well as the look that Lauda would have after his near-fatal crash. The visual effects work of Jody Johnson, Mark Hodgkins, and Antoine Moulineau is terrific for some of the visual effects look in some of the racing scenes as well as some of the interiors of the cars. Sound designer Markus Stemler and sound editor Frank Kruse do amazing work with the film‘s sound from the way the engines sound to the atmosphere of the racing with the tires and such as it is captured with great detail. The film’s music by Hans Zimmer is wonderful for its orchestral score that features some soaring, bombastic moments as well as some quieter moments in the dramatic pieces while music supervisor Nick Angel creates a fun soundtrack that features music from the 70s like David Bowie, the Spencer David Group, Slade, Thin Lizzy, Jimmy Cliff, the Sweet Sensation, and Mud.

The casting by Nina Gold is incredible as the film features some notable small roles from Natalie Dormer as a nurse Hunt meets early in the film, Christian McKay as a lord who would invest Hunt early in his career, and Pierfrancesco Favino as the racer Clay Regazzoni who would be a mentor to Lauda as well as a teammate early in Lauda’s racing career. Olivia Wilde is terrific as the British supermodel Suzy Miller who would be Hunt’s wife early in his career as she is driven away by his own immaturity as she tries to ground him. Alexandra Maria Lara is amazing as Marlene as a socialite who would fall and marry Lauda as she would be the one person to ground Lauda and give him a life outside of racing.

Chris Hemsworth is great as the late James Hunt as this brash British driver who wants to succeed and have fun with it while dealing with his own failures and the presence of Lauda. Finally, there’s Daniel Bruhl in a phenomenal performance as Niki Lauda as this young Austrian who is known for being technical as he strives to succeed in his own terms while dealing with his own shyness and inability to connect with other people. Hemsworth and Bruhl have this wonderful rapport in the way they dislike each other but also in appreciating one another which adds to the film’s success.

Rush is a marvelous film from Ron Howard that features superb performances from Chris Hemsworth and Daniel Bruhl. The film is definitely an intriguing look into the world of Formula One racing as well as the legendary rivalry between Niki Lauda and the late James Hunt. In the end, Rush is a sensational film from Ron Howard.

© thevoid99 2014