Most fans still have to wait another two weeks to see “Solo: A Star Wars Story,” but those lucky enough to attend the Hollywood premiere Thursday night are sharing their thoughts. The verdict: “Solo” is a great intergalactic heist movie, and star Alden Ehrenreich is fully capable of filling Harrison Ford’s Han Solo boots.
Also, Donald Glover is phenomenal as Lando Calrissian.
The prequel to 1977’s “Star Wars: A New Hope” delves into the early life of everybody’s favorite scoundrel, Han Solo (played originally by Ford and here by Ehrenreich). We all know Han as the best smuggler around, working for Jabba the Hutt on Tatooine with his best bud, walking carpet wookiee warrior Chewbacca, and flying the fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy, the Millennium Falcon.
Before he was all that — as well as a general fighting or the Rebellion, Luke Skywalker’s best friend and Leia Organa’s paramour — Han was a nobody. “Solo” finds him gaining his best friend and his ship, filling in a piece of “Star Wars” history that’s been alluded to but never seen: Han winning the Millennium Falcon from Lando.
“Solo” hasn’t had the easiest time making it to the screen, though. Lucasfilm originally hired “The LEGO Movie” directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller to helm the movie, signaling that it’s more of a comedy than previous “Star Wars” movies have been. Lucasfilm fired the two directors, however, reportedly after their creative vision clashed with that of screenwriter Lawrence Kasdan and his son and co-writer, Jason Kasdan.
Ron Howard picked up the baton for “Solo,” finishing the movie and reshooting much of it — reportedly, as much as 70 percent of the movie is now made up of reshoots, giving “Solo” a different feel from the original cut. But folks at the premiere found it to be emotional, exciting and the most action-packed of any “Star Wars” movie.
Read the reactions below.
https://twitter.com/katerbland/status/994796867476250626
I figured if @DisneyStudios was willing to show 'Solo: A Star Wars Story' a few weeks before release it must be good and it absolutely is. Film is a blast and a welcome addition to the Star Wars universe. @RealRonHoward you did a great job. Congrats. pic.twitter.com/1pkWH2y6qE
— Steven Weintraub (@colliderfrosty) May 11, 2018
https://twitter.com/ConnerWS/status/994801048979148800
Boom. #SoloAStarWarsStory Loved it. Stay off the internet! Avoid spoilers! Great job @RealRonHoward and cast!
— Clayton Sandell (@Clayton_Sandell) May 11, 2018
Solo: A Star Wars Story is a goddamn delight. It’s a non-stop adventure packed with way more emotion than your expecting. You’ll have a smile on your face the whole time and leave eager for more. pic.twitter.com/fOsF7Tr95L
— Germain Lussier (@GermainLussier) May 11, 2018
#Solo is a ton of fun! Alden Ehrenreich is full of charm and definitely does right by Harrison Ford. Not to mention Donald Glover, who's equally great as Lando.
Don't let the drama and rumors fool you, this is a seriously fun, exciting addition to the Star Wars universe!
— Tom Jorgensen (@Tom_Jorgensen) May 11, 2018
#SoloAStarWarsStory is reaaaaalllly good. Fun as hell. It’s a straight intergalactic heist movie, kind of refreshing to see a Star Wars movie w/o a Death Star or the rebellion’s fate at stake. Alden Ehrenreich is super impressive as Han, but L3 might be my favorite new character.
— Kevin Polowy (@djkevlar) May 11, 2018
https://twitter.com/swankmotron/status/994802859739893761
Solo: A Star Wars Story has a light tone and has some great action sequences. There were great moments but some were a bit too on the nose for me. The Chewie/Han bromance is the thing to watch for.
— Wendy Lee Szany (@WendyLeeSzany) May 11, 2018
WOW! #SoloAStarWarsStory! I felt like I was watching a @StarWars movie again. So many great moments for the fans AND surprises.. I’ve got the feels after this one…MORE than #InfinityWar.
— Brian Tong (@briantong) May 11, 2018
Alden Ehrenreich is the real deal, Thandie Newton is who I want to be when I grow up, and Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s L3… well we’ll talk about that later. ? #SoloAStarWarsStory
— Angie J. Han (@ajhan) May 11, 2018
Solo: A Star Wars Story is more of what I loved about Rogue One. Most real looking film in the franchise, and the best blaster actions scenes and vehicle chases. #SoloAStarWarsStory
— Rob Keyes (@rob_keyes) May 11, 2018
This is the grungiest, most grunt-level blue collar #StarWars ever and I am here for it. #Solo
— Chris Taylor (@FutureBoy) May 11, 2018
It does take a bit to get used to Alden as Han, but after 30 minutes or so your brain adjusts. (Also I've now finally seen Clint Howard in a Star Wars movie.) #soloastarwarsstory
— Mike Ryan (@mikeryan) May 11, 2018
#Solo was a blast. The Kasdans nail the character of Han Solo. Yes, the story is a series of expected events (Han meets chewie….etc) but none of them happen as expected. Stay away from spoilers, big Marvel-level shit that will make you wonder where Lucasfilm is headed next.
— /Film (@slashfilm) May 11, 2018
#SoloAStarWarsStory was a mostly fun adventure and solid performances but with a predictable story. Never will be one of my favorite #StarWars movies but I enjoyed enough of it.
— Dennis Tzeng 曾逸凡 (@ThinkHero) May 11, 2018
https://twitter.com/michelledeidre/status/994803919317553154
ALDEN EHRENREREICH IS HAN SOLO! The movie is an absolute blast to hyperspace! #SoloPremiere #SoloAStarWarsStory #Solomovie
— Umberto Gonzalez (@elmayimbe) May 11, 2018
My one GIF review of #SoloAStarWarsStory @starwars pic.twitter.com/g4dGJGZiyF
— Angelique Jackson (@angelique814) May 11, 2018
So, I was REALLY worried about #SoloAStarWarsStory but those concerns are totally laid to rest. A movie for fans AND those totally fresh to the Star Wars franchise. Heart, humor and a Falcon full of top notch action. From a worry to a favorite. Very, very happy! pic.twitter.com/VhvBSDFvjE
— Simon Thompson (@ShowbizSimon) May 11, 2018
#SoloAStarWarsStory has a bit of a rough start, but it was a blast of of an adventure. And yes, Donald Glover steals the movie! But you already knew that. pic.twitter.com/4SGiq6tDmQ
— Jenna Busch (@JennaBusch) May 11, 2018