Solo: A Star Wars Story: Trailer Thoughts

I've watched both trailers so many times.

Let's talk about the thing to talk about - Alden Ehrenreich. I am so happy with what I'm seeing so far. I see Han Solo in Alden Ehrenreich. But in that last shot in the super bowl spot, I'm looking at Han Solo. He's not being Harrison Ford. I look into Alden Ehrenreich's eyes and I watch his mannerisms and I see Han Solo. And that is FREAKING EXCITING! When the guy asks him "Your name?" and he just gives him a look like "You seriously don't know who I am?" And I love how they used the "We're fine now. We're fine" line from A New Hope at the end of the Teaser. All that was missing was the "How are you?" He really doesn't sound like Harrison Ford, which I'm starting to accept. I think that's what every Star Wars fan is currently doing. We have to let go of our vision of Harrison Ford and open up to Alden Ehrenreich. We'll NEVER forget Harrison Ford but we have to be open to falling in love with THIS Han Solo. But really, It's not THAT different. Sure he doesn't sound like Harrison Ford. But did you see that smirk?! I heard another reviewer mention that the only other actor who's attempted to play a younger version of Harrison Ford's characters was River Phoenix in The Last Crusade. And I had never thought about it, but River Phoenix deserved more credit for playing a young Indy. And I think that if Alden Ehrenreich can hit the mark that River Phoenix did and is able to lead the movie, I think we'll be set. And it looks to me like he's succeeding in doing what River Phoneix did. It's not an impression. He's making it his own character. And I want to see it. I'm about to contradict myself but - I really want to hear Alden's angry yell. One of my favorite parts of Han Solo is his perfect voice whenever he yells at anybody. "Come on, Chewy!"

I have supported this movie from the beginning. I really can't understand anybody who says we didn't need this movie. Sure we didn't NEED it. But we WANT it. You've probably heard me say that Han Solo is my favorite Star Wars character. He may even be my favorite character of all-time. And I am dying to see any of his adventures with Chewy and Lando. Absolutely dying. And yes, I was shocked when Lord and Miller dropped out after they had been in production for so long. But I feel alright with Ron Howard in the director's chair now. I think that Ron Howard is here now to execute Lawrence Kasdan's story and to keep this team together. I want this to be Lawrence Kasdan's movie. If you aren't familiar with him, Lawrence Kasdan is the writer of Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and The Force Awakens (along with J.J. Abrams). And people argue that Lawrence Kasdan knows Han Solo better than Harrison Ford does. There's no doubt that Lawrence Kasdan KNOWS Han Solo. And I wouldn't want anyone else writing this movie.

I don't think Ron Howard is interested in reinventing the wheel with his own vision like Lord and Miller were probably trying to do. It's kinda like whenever Danny Boyle directed Steve Jobs. Steve Jobs is Aaron Sorkin's movie. But Danny Boyle is there to execute it with his own visual style. I think that Ron Howard needs to be Danny Boyle to Lawrence Kasdan's Aaron Sorkin. And I think Ron Howard is going to give us Lawrence Kasdan's story. Even though I am kind of contradicting myself by saying that the visuals look like the same thing Disney just did two years ago. But I still want the Lawrence Kasdan story. Already his writing feels like Han Solo. "I was kicked out of the academy for having a mind of my own." That's 100% a Han Solo line. Speaking of that, I'm quite sure how I feel about Han's "origin" being directly connected to the Empire. I always imagined Han Solo already being the smuggler that he was without the Empire being involved. But I'm still open to it for sure. Also, right now it feels like Lawrence Kasdan is writing what feels like a more passive and quiet Han Solo than the cocky one that we know. Which I'm all for him growing into that over the course of this movie.

I think the only concern that this trailer added for me was the look of it. Most of this trailer has the exact same look as Rogue One which concerns me a bit. I'm not the biggest fan of Rogue One. So reminding me of that movie makes me a little bit concerned just mentally. It's a very dark and desaturated look which is great for a war movie. I'm not trying to over critique, but I would prefer to have a more colorful and fun look for Solo. Because this should be a swashbuckling pirate space adventure. I'm not really interested in it looking like a war film. But that desaturated and almost Man of Steel-like look could totally just be the imperial scenes and maybe the Kessel Run is a more adventurous look to it. Ron Howard's movies usually have a colorful look to them. But that's my only real flaw right now.

So I'm not too nervous about my enjoyment of this movie. So far, I'm really liking Alden Ehrenreich's performance. I'm just terrified of the fans reaction to this movie. It breaks my heart thinking about the possibility of the fans ripping this movie to shreds like they are very likely to do. But here's the thing - the production of this movie is very much in line with the character of Han Solo. The production falls apart. The pressure lies on Alden Ehrenreich's shoulders. Nobody wants to see it. And the trailer takes FOREVER to get here. Star Wars fans are divided right now. The odds are stacked against this movie. "Never tell me the odds." And then Han Solo swoops in and surprises everybody. "Don't everybody thank me at once." And man do I hope that happens. Because I want my Solo trilogy.

I want this movie to basically be Indiana Jones set in the Star Wars universe. And we're already getting a western/gangster tone to it. The side angle of the blaster in the holster was EXTREMELY western. If you give us that, and you show us these amazing moments I've always wanted to see like Han meeting Chewy, Lando losing the Falcon to Han, The Kessel Run, and you make it feel like an Indiana Jones movie, then I'll be ready to cry in my theater. But I've been hopeful about a Star Wars movie before. So let's see. I gotta be honest. I'm still hoping for a secret Harrison Ford appearance. I think it would be the perfect passing of the torch for there to be a scene that takes place maybe right before Force Awakens with Harrison Ford. Anyway, back to the trailer. Even though I'm not loving the Rogue One look, I do still think there are some really great looking shots as well. Like I said, the shot of the blaster in the holster. The really dark silhouette of Han from behind. I'm confident in Bradford Young's cinematography. I'm just hoping that whatever they did in post-production looks better in the final film.

I really think Alden looks like a really good Han Solo so far. I am ecstatic about the new look for the Falcon. I am beyond excited to see a bright and new and shiny Millennium Falcon. I really like the action. We got a bunch of cool character shots of the cast. Donald Glover as Lando looks incredible. I really like Woody Harrelson and Emilia Clarke so far. I REALLY loved John Powell's score. I cannot wait to hear John William's theme. I really want to see someone go back and edit this new theme into the original trilogy. And I think John Powell is a great composer and great choice to do the rest of the score. I am REALLY happy with the tone of the movie and that It's not Lord and Miller's Ace Ventura.

I know this is a really long review for a trailer, but it's freaking Star Wars. And it's freaking Han Solo. I don't think that the way Disney has handled the marketing for this movie has been very smart. I don't think that the first look of this movie should have been a 40-second long Super Bowl Spot. But for me personally, this trailer got me extremely excited and I don't have to wait long to see my favorite character on screen again. I'm dying to see how they're going to pull off what is probably going to be the most difficult re-cast of all time. They're re-casting one of the big three! We were all waiting to see what Alden Ehrenreich could do. And I think that this trailer definitely takes away a lot but not ALL of the concerns away. And one question that I have going into this movie is - Will I look at Alden Ehrenreich and see the coolest smuggler in the galaxy? Or will I see a guy who's really good at reminding me of Harrison Ford? I really hope I fall in love with this new interpretation of Han Solo. And I will be there opening night to support this movie. I want this movie now. I'd love to hear anybody else's thoughts. If you want, let's start a respectful conversation in the comments.