Movie Review: Solo: A Star Wars Story

The past few summers, Memorial Weekend has become a great opportunity to catch a summer blockbuster. It's usually a Marvel Superhero film like the Avengers, Wonder Woman, or Guardians of the Galaxy to name a few. However this summer it was nice to take a break from the super hero films and return to my all time favorite movie universe of Star Wars.These films are usually released in the winter time, yet ever since Disney has taken over the company, they have been releasing new stories on all fronts. (And I am quite okay with this!)

Anthology Films

Solo: A Star Wars Story is the 2nd spin-off film in the Disney-Star Wars productions, after Rogue One was released in the winter of 2016. These anthology films offer a great expansion into the Star Wars Universe separate from the new trilogy being produced. These movies pertain to the older films revolving around the more iconic characters. Other upcoming anthology projects include new series on Boba Fett, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Master Yoda, and even a potential revamping of the original trilogy. 

The Setting and Plot

As for this film, I can gladly say as a long-time Star Wars fan, that it was very entertaining. Much better than The Last Jedi! Perhaps I am biased to the older material, as this film is yet another prequel to the original Star Wars Trilogy (Episode 4- 6). As the title suggests it is about the life of Han Solo, before he becomes the famous captain of the Millennium Falcon and hero of the Rebel Alliance. The title character is played by Alden Ehrenreich as the cocky, rebellious, and heroic Han Solo. The film is directed by the critically acclaimed, Ron Howard. 

It is first set on the planet of Corellia, where Han Solo has grown up as an orphan prepared to escape his refuge with his lover, Qi'ra (played by Emilia Clarke). However she is unable to escape with him and he promises to return to her, as he plans to become a pilot. He joins the Imperial Fleet, yet later deserts to join a band of thieves under the leadership of Tobias Becket (played by Woody Harrelson). He is captured by the imperial guards and fed to a beast named Chewbacca. Han is able to convince the wookie to escape, and the two join Tobias' gang to escape from the Imperial forces.

Han and Chewie agree to help Tobias smuggle some highly explosive minerals, yet fall short as they're plan is sabotaged by another group of pirates known as the Cloud-Riders. Han decides to help Tobias, to meet with his crime-boss, Dryden Vos (played by Paul Bettany) and discuss a new plan to smuggle back what they loss. It is here at this meeting that Han bumps into his lost lover Qi'Ra who is now mysteriously an associate of Dryden's gang. At the behest of Dryden, Qi'Ra joins Han, Chewie, and Tobias on this new mission to the planet of Kessel.

Qi'Ra suggests they get a new ship from a successful smuggler named Lando Calrissian (played by Donald Glover). Han challenges Lando to his gambling game of cards yet falls short, due to Lando cheating. Lando however still agrees to provide his Millenium Falcon for the mission, as long as he gets a cut of the take. In the mines of Kessel, Lando's droid, L3-37, instigates a slave uprising which provides a distraction Han needs to steal the explosive resource. They are able to escape the mines with their catch, however are later confronted by an Imperial blockade. As this point Han pilots his famous Kessel Run, by navigating through an uncharted territory of asteroids and chaotic maelstrom to reach their destination as quickly as possible.

They successfully arrive to the planet of Savareen to process the mineral and receive their payment from Dryden Vos. However they are once again confronted by the cloud-riders who reveal that they are not pirates yet rather rebels trying to sabotage Vos' crime syndicate. At this point Han becomes convinced by their cause and decides to trick Dryden, while Tobias chooses to leave the scene. However Han anticipates Tobias betrayal and informs the cloud-riders to expect an attack from Dryden's guards.

The Cloud-riders are able to defeat Dryden's guards, while Tobias once again turns on Dryden this time, by leaving with the mineral. Han is left to face Dryden, with Qi'Ra in the room. Yet in another additional twist, Qi'Ra kills Dryden, with some shocking warrior tactics. Han then leaves to recover the mineral and Qi"ra informs her mentor, Darth Maul, that Dryden is dead and she is now to become boss of the crime syndicate. 

Han is able to face and defeat Tobias in a shooting duel, and recover the mineral. He and Chewbacca then deliver it to the Cloud-Riders, who give him some of the mineral and ask Han to join their rebellion. Han declines the request and later tracks down Lando to win back the Millenium Falcon with the mineral portion the Cloud-Riders gave him. This time Han is susceptible to Lando's cheating and outsmarts him in the game of cards to win the Falcon.  

Analysis

From beginning to end this film is very exciting, unlike the early periods of boredom during Rogue One. This story is well written to capture all the things we know about Han Solo from the original trilogy, and the questions we have about the heroic character. Such as what drove him to become a smuggler, how he met Chewie, how he met Lando, how he got the Millenium Falcon, and how he made that famous Kessel Run in 12 Parsecs. 

This backstory film tied all those character knots about Han Solo's past and in doing so created new strings of stories, characters, and questions. Such as Han's dealings with Jabba the Hut, and various other smugglers and bounty hunters across the galaxy. Yet most notably hanging question was the shocking plot twist of Han's lover Qi'Ra who all along was a trained apprentice of Darth Maul. (Whom I thought was killed in Phantom Menance, yet according to Star Wars cannon was saved by his brother in the Clone Wars animated series) So with the emergence of these two new villains at large (Qi'Ra and Darth Maul), as well a desire to see more adventures of the Millenium Falcon, there will surely be a series of Solo sequels to come. And I cannot wait to see more! 

Random Spring Notes 2018

Another spring has sprung into full swing and I've had some time lately to relax and reflect on the current state of things. It's these posts about my life updates that are the best to read years from now on the blog. And so here it is, my life update during this spring of 2018.

Danny and Lisa's Wedding

The highlight of this spring was no doubt our family trip to Sacramento for cousin Danny and Lisa's wedding. While the event occurred on the weekend of the Mini Marathon and finances were already low from the Europe Trip, I knew I couldn't miss my cousin's wedding. Danny was instrumental in our first sci-fi movies we made as kids in San Francisco (Voyages of the Infinitor and The War for Ikarium). He also partook in several races here in Indy as well as winning our triathlon in 2013. So of course I knew I couldn't miss this family member's big celebration.

I went ahead and booked the tickets several months in advance for myself, my parents, Philip, Shawnna, and the kids. Our flight was on Thursday, 7 am out of Chicago, which meant we had to leave Indy by around 2am. To further complicate matters we had a connection flight in Dallas. I was somewhat disappointed with the booking I had done on this, but remember options were limited. Our flight to Dallas went thru 3 delays and was also one of the bumpiest rides I've ever been on due to storms. When we landed in Dallas, we missed our connecting flight, however they gave us vouchers. Luckily we didn't have anything to do that night and were able to catch a later flight to Sacramento. We finally arrived to the Sacramento airport by 9, and then picked up our car rentals to drive an hour away to Sutter Creek, where our rented house was.

The house I booked us was very nice and quite close to the hotel and the wine valley where the wedding would be at. On Friday we relaxed all day by the pool and were later visited by Uncle Mark, Cindy, Uncle Carl, Devon, and cousin John. That evening we went to the rehearsal dinner at the Hotel and I chatted it up with Laurie and Jennifer all night. The next day on Saturday we explored the town of Jackson, and later I joined Philip and Shawnna to check out the Kennedy Gold Mine. This was an interesting experience of a historical site that opened in the 1850s, and was one of the deepest mines in the west. It later closed in 1946 and has been a historical landmark ever sense.

Later that evening we went to the Avio Vineyards in Sutter Creek, where the wedding took place. The site was incredible emerge in rolling hills of vineyards. There was a very nice folk/fiddle music playing during the ceremony. I had my fair share of wine and had a good time talking with Jennifer and dancing on the dance floor with Philip, Shawnna, and my other cousins. After the wedding we went to a bar where there was live karaoke and lots of people. Dad and Jeff Bell both sang a song. We got home by around 2am, and left early on Sunday to the airport. Luckily our flight back was a direct flight and we arrived to Chicago by 5pm. I drove with Philip and Shawnna that evening back to Indy. It was a successful and memorable trip and a great celebration for Danny and Lisa. 

Financial Situation

Just like last spring after my big trip to Europe, I am once again in financial debt due to these recent two trips I just went on. However luckily I have another season with the Indy Indians to help supplement some extra income flow. This is my 7th season working at Victory Field, and 2nd season as the video board operator. I already like it this year much better than last year since I have cut back on some days and am more familiar with the process. The two other big purchases on my forecast include fixing the Air Conditioner and buying a new bed. I hope to be mostly caught up with my debt by midway thru the fall.

Fitness

Due to Danny's wedding, I missed the Mini Marathon for the first time in nearly 10 years. Since I knew I would be missing the big race, I did not run much at all in the months of Feb, March, and April. This was quite a seasonal change of routine and as a result I feel somewhat behind on the fitness track. I could definitely afford to shed 15 to 20 lbs this season. I have gotten back into weightlifting once again with reps of bench press and arm curls. I hope to cut back on the junk food this summer and get serious about running later in the fall.

Sports Updates (NBA Playoffs and World Cup)

I still tune into professional sports on a regular basis as a means of escape and entertainment. Lately I have been quite encapsulated by the NBA playoffs. I went to game 4 of the Cavaliers-Pacers playoff series with Chris Miller at the Banker's Life Fieldhouse (This was my 5th or 6th time catching a game there in the past 3 years now) The Pacers were eventually eliminated in 7 games by the dominant performance of Lebron James. While I support the Pacers as my NBA team of choice, I have grown to become a major fan of Lebron James and see him as one of the greatest basketball players of all time (coming close behind Michael Jordan). I hope he can lead the Cavaliers to another championship to further open the debate, yet it seems like a long-shot.

The main event this summer will of course be the World Cup, my favorite tournament in all of sports. It goes on for a month, starting on June 14th and ending on July 15. While it is quite disappointing that the USA did not qualify, I still have many teams and players I will be looking forward to following. Colombia is my first team of choice, but I will also be following other teams and players (I will make a separate post on this topic to come). I intend to watch every game I can at work, at the bars, at home, and with friends, and family. The cultural spirit of the World Cup is a very inspiring time for me.

Other Phases

To be quite honest there isn't any other big events on the agenda this spring or summer. I hope to stay the course here in Indy with both my jobs and make a steady flow of income to pay off my debt. I've already planted my garden with tomatoes, peppers, and basil and hope to good a decent yield in a month or so. I've been playing a lot of FIFA lately, listening to music from the Greatest Showman, drinking Keystone lights, and watching all sorts of TV and movies. So far the most part things are what they are. Could be better, could be worse, but always grateful for what I have. And that is the Spring Life Update of 2018.