Thursday, October 15, 2020

7 Reasons Why I Love SOLO

In celebration of Eva and Katie's Everything Star Wars Blogathon, I am bringing you a Star Wars themed post today! After a mini brainstorm, I decided to do a post defending Solo: A Star Wars Story, since it's seemed to cop a lot of criticism, and it's personally one of my top favourites.

So without further ado, here are 7 reasons why I love this movie!


1. Backstories

Everyone loves a good backstory, right?! (*raises hand*) I love movies that plumb the depths of a well-known, beloved story. I love all the tie-ins, the quirky ways friendships started, and the inside jokes or hidden meanings that form as a result. Admittedly, you can easily get caught in plot holes when treading this path, but sometimes I will turn a blind eye to small irritations if it gives me a greater appreciation for the overall story, which this movie definitely did.

2. Alden Ehrenreich's Awesomeness

I was very impressed with this guy! Han Solo is a huge role, and Harrison Ford has some big shoes to fill, but I personally think Alden nailed it. His attention to detail in everything - the mannerisms, the smirks, the way he walked - tiny things, yet they made a strong impression. I really appreciated all the little quirks that Alden slipped in which synchronized his younger role with Harrison's older role.

3. Emilia Clarke// Qi'ra

I've never seen Emilia Clarke in anything else, but honestly, she's such a sweetie. I enjoyed watching all of her scenes (and also, her wardrobe! 😍). She brought a lot of class and precision into her role, and I found her character fascinating. I felt very drawn to her story and character throughout the film. (And also, when do I get to find out the rest of her story?!) 

4. Interweaving Stories

Although it's a little iffy sometimes with plot holes, I do love it when we have stories that are interwoven amongst other favourites. "Rogue One" did a superb job with this, but Solo still had some exciting twists when you realized where it lines up in the Star Wars history books. ;) Figuring out when this story took place added a new exciting challenge the first time seeing this!

5. A Strong Villain

Okay, so it might ruin the doctor from Master and Commander for forever, but you can't say that Solo was lacking in a good villain. This guy took creep and power and ran with it, and I genuinely shivered in my boots at the idea of some of my precious characters having to face him down. He was disgustingly evil, and I approved.

cuties

6. Lando

The suave, the swagger, the smoothness! Ooohh! This guy KILLED this role! Wow, still not over it. I was so amazed at how well he played young Lando. I loved his sass and his coolness, and even his naive ways. Sometimes I forgot he was a different actor to the original Lando - I was so convinced of it being the same character, haha.


 7. Good Pacing

This movie covered a lot of ground, but I was never once bored by it. It had twists at good points, but never swerved so far off the main storyline that you couldn't follow it. (Ok, maybe I'm just appreciative of any movie that isn't as confusing as the movie "Tenet".) I thought the general pacing of this film was great, and I was definitely hooked the whole way through.


Here ends my post, but if this puts you in a Star Wars mood, go check out the party going on here and here!

And of course,
May the Force be with you.

15 comments:

  1. Qi'ra is MY CHILD and I WILL LOVE HER FOREVER

    *sobs slightly*

    Yessssssssssssssss, Alden Ehrenreich absolutely killed it as Han Solo!

    Thanks so much for participating, Gabby! I love this post!! :D

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    1. AND I WILL LOVE HER WITH YOU. *hugs her*

      I KNOW!! He did indeed.

      Thanks, Katie. :) <3 My pleasure!

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  2. Yup. I'm right here with you.

    I was about 5 minutes into this movie when I quit wondering if Ehrenreich was going to really BE Han Solo. He's staggeringly good. It's so hard to embody a character created by another actor without turning yourself into a caricature or just doing an impression of that actor, and Ehrenreich nailed it.

    I've seen Paul Bettany play plenty of other baddies, and plenty of good guys too, and he is ALWAYS enjoyable. Never turns in a boring performance, ever. I love it when he turns up in a movie because then I know at least something about it will be really good.

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    1. Yes, "Staggeringly good" is such a great way to describe it, Rachel! Alden went beyond my expectations for a young Han, and I certainly Did Have Expectations.

      Ohh, good to know! I really love him in the few roles I've seen him in! He definitely holds his own with whatever role he's been given, and I love how he's so talented that he can pull off a convincing good guy and a villain.

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  3. My sister and I finally watched this for the first time last month. I didn't love it, but I didn't hate it. My favorite part was Paul Bettany's bad guy! Ooooh, he was so creepy and he might crawl his way into my favorite bad guys. Even though it wasn't my thing, I'm so happy that you enjoyed it!

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    1. Thanks for your comment, MovieCritic! I know, Paul did SUCH a great job. He's probably right up there in my top list of bad guys, too! And you have such a great attitude about differing opinions. :) I love it when there isn't any issue when people disagree over such things and we can all enjoy whatever we like without all the drama!

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  4. I'm afraid I've never been able to make it past the 40 minute mark, but you make me want to give it another try.

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    1. Oh, really?! Well, I would definitely recommend giving it another go as I (obviously) love this film, but of course, if it's really not your thing, that's OK, too. :) That's one of the great things about the SW franchise - there are so many other films to appreciate within the same story universe!

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  5. I've never seen this one, although I love Star Wars! I may have to give it a try one of these days.

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    1. Ohh, you definitely should, Samantha! :D I would recommend this one to any Star Wars fan, but then of course, that is just me. ;)

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  6. Alden Ehrenreich is great! I also love seeing Paul Bettany and Emilia Clarke. :D

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    1. Isn't he?! *swoons*
      Yes! I would watch a movie if I see Paul or Emilia (or Alden, for that matter)'s names on the cast list. :D

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  7. I don't appreciate all the hate Solo gets either! Some parts of it do bore me, but I love the uniqueness (yet familiarity) and the aesthetic. It's not a bad film!

    Thank you for contributing to the blogathon. :)

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    1. Eva, I know, I think it's unfair how unpopular this movie was!

      You're welcome. :)

      P.S. Sorry for the late response - blogging went out the window there when I went to full-time work.

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Please don't be afraid to comment! I was once a silent reader myself. :)