SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY Delivers!

Solo: A Star Wars Story is the latest to come from the Star Wars franchise, but this ones takes us back in time. Through a series of daring escapades, young Han Solo meets his future co-pilot Chewbacca and encounters the notorious gambler Lando Calrissian. I absolutely love getting to know more about characters that I have already come to adore. I was very excited to hear we were all going to see a young Han Solo. This story line does not disappoint and is filled with all of the elements we have come to love in a Star Wars film.

It’s a classic good vs evil film with several exciting and unexpected twists. The action is not lacking in this movie! I would definitely recommend seeing it in IMAX 3D, and certainly at least in theaters. It really transports you into their world. Of course with a young, handsome, swashbuckling Solo, there is definitely some romance involved. I loved seeing Han Solo and Qi’ra interact. They go way back and meet up again as young adults. Emilia Clarke (Qi’ra) did an impressive job displaying her inner struggle with good vs evil. She brings the strong, empowered woman to the table and she is not going to let anyone stand in her way. I think most of us were left with curious excitement about her role in future films. The supporting characters are all fabulous in Solo: Chewbacca certainly being a popular favorite, L3 with her incredibly human-like personality and wittiness, Landon with his arrogant frustrations, and Beckett with his well-placed sarcasm. And, Paul Bettany (Dryden) as the ruthless, eccentric “villain” of the movie was convincingly evil.

I thought they did a great job with young Han Solo. He is an overly confident adventure enthusiast, risk-taker, a bit naïve, and yet still the “good guy.” Alden Ehrenreich really brought the same feel to Solo. One thing I loved is that this movie features Chewbacca the most prominently. Him and Han are in nearly every scene. I’m sure Peter Mayhew, the original Chewbacca, is proud of how well Joonas Suotamo did bringing Chewbacca to life in these next installments. Some people may not know that this is actually his third time playing Chewbacca. He played in The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi as well.

After the screening, we were treated to a Q&A with the man behind Chewbacca, Joonas Suotamo. He is a very funny, entertaining guy, and he sure knows his Star Wars! He could tell you anything and everything about the film. He taught himself how to make all of the Chewbacca noises and gestures. This man knows Chewbacca inside and out. He really does become one with the suit. Joonas shared what it was like going to work every day with Chewbacca. There are actually multiple costumes/suits for Chewie, each hair double knotted and attached to the suit by hand. Putting it on every day and having to stay in the suit certainly came with its demands. Thankfully, this time, enhancements were made so he could have removable gloves. This way Joonas could eat between filming, and have use of his hands. Joonas said the most challenging scene to film in Solo was the “mud scene.” He even had to take stunt lessons! We certainly hope to see him reprise his role many more times to come!

Check out this “Scoundrels” Featurette below of the cast talking about their characters!