1/6 Hot Toys - Solo: A Star Wars Story - HAN SOLO

[jedijim3002]

Looks like the main writing credit went to Jonathan Kasdan Lawrence’s son. Not sure how much daddy helped but it would seem his son is mostly responsible.

 

[v-i-s-o-n]

Maybe it’s my Alden bias, but this was the only time I’ve been interested in Han. Loved the movie, figure could be slightly improved and if it is, I’ll probably get it.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

I love the OT as well, and agree that a film is a journey. However, Solo undermines the journey in completely disregarding Han's character arc. Much like TLJ, Solo has very littel regard for how the protagonist is portrayed chronologically in relation to the OT. Solo should have been portrayed as consistently selfish, without a hint of altruism. Instead, we get a film about how Solo is secretly altruistic, even in the face of absurd, on the nose advice to the contrary. Sure, he'll risk his life breaking the law, but in the end he'll throw everything away for the greater good, because he's a swell guy?

If you do that, it undermines his entire arc throughout the OT. Han should put himself before everyone else, except for Chewy perhaps. That's the only way the OT makes any sense. Meanwhile, you could easily build an entire film around how Han's only loyalty is toward a walking carpet. I'd care far more about that peculiarity, than how he got his last name, the dice on his dashboard, how he scored his pistol... The film was preoccupied with every mundane detail within Han's backstory, while completely disregarding everything within Han's character that made him popular in the first place.

It was a bad film. This figure is an easy pass, for me.

Ok...isn’t that the whole point? Isn’t that the essence of the character?

The OT Han did the same thing. He was always secretly altruistic whether he was aware of it or not. Thats the whole reason he always comes back to help out the rebellion in the OT. He came back to help out in ANH during the death star battle, he sticks around to find Luke on Hoth, he gives Chewie attitude because he feels a little guilty for wanting to leave Hoth. All of that despite being outwardly selfish. We don’t love the character because he’s selfish. We love him because despite his capacity to be selfish, he’s still a good guy.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

Looks like the main writing credit went to Jonathan Kasdan Lawrence’s son. Not sure how much daddy helped but it would seem his son is mostly responsible.

Written with daddy...
https://m.imdb.com/title/tt3778644/fullcredits/writers?ref_=m_tt_cl_wr

 

[Franken Berry]

Ok...isn’t that the whole point? Isn’t that the essence of the character?

The OT Han did the same thing. He was always secretly altruistic whether he was aware of it or not. Thats the whole reason he always comes back to help out the rebellion in the OT. He came back to help out in ANH during the death star battle, he sticks around to find Luke on Hoth, he gives Chewie attitude because he feels a little guilty for wanting to leave Hoth. All of that despite being outwardly selfish. We don’t love the character because he’s selfish. We love him because despite his capacity to be selfish, he’s still a good guy.

Respectfully, I disagree. Han definitely had a character arc from A New Hope to Empire. In A New Hope he was anti-social, dragging his feet through the entire film, until the very end because he grew to care for Luke. For instance, on the Death Star he couldn't care less about saving Leia, because there was nothing in it for him. Luke had to promise him (and Chewy) more wealth than he could imagine, so that he'd be motivated to care. He couldn't care less about the rebellion. In Empire, he consistently wanted to leave the rebellion because of the Bounty on his head. Even though he had feelings for Leia, again, he was ready to bail on her to save his skin. He doesn't become pro-social until Return of the Jedi, where he finally goes all in, to help the rebellion.

Spoiler

I'd argue, when his entire origin story begins with fallout from his decision to bail on the woman he loves, and ends with a willingness to shun material gain for some greater good (that arguably begins the entire rebellion?!) it doesn't make sense. Why would he continue bailing on the ones he loves? Why be a smuggler at all? Why not join the rebellion from the onset, if you're willing to forfeit enough money to live on for the rest of your life, because you support their cause? It makes absolutely no sense. If he cared that much about the rebellion, he'd join it instead of going back to a life of petty theft.

The entire point of having a character arc is to provide motivation for change. Instead, this film undermines the idea that Han has a character arc at all. Instead, it tries to convince us that Han was just a reluctant idealist the entire time. In my opinion, it not only makes for a less exciting film, but undermines the OT in denying the arc ever existed.

I admit, as a stand alone film it's much better than TLJ and TFA. I liked Rogue One much better. However, in relation to the OT I found the Solo movie annoying.

 

[hen88]

Ok...isn’t that the whole point? Isn’t that the essence of the character?

The OT Han did the same thing. He was always secretly altruistic whether he was aware of it or not. Thats the whole reason he always comes back to help out the rebellion in the OT. He came back to help out in ANH during the death star battle, he sticks around to find Luke on Hoth, he gives Chewie attitude because he feels a little guilty for wanting to leave Hoth. All of that despite being outwardly selfish. We don’t love the character because he’s selfish. We love him because despite his capacity to be selfish, he’s still a good guy.

Yes - this is the way Han was written and portrayed in the OT. Also, I think Lawrence Kasdan knows the character pretty well. I think he knows what drives this character and has accurately captured his essence in this film. I saw it tonight, and it exceeded my expectations. I loved it.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

Respectfully, I disagree. Han definitely had a character arc from A New Hope to Empire. In A New Hope he was anti-social, dragging his feet through the entire film, until the very end because he grew to care for Luke. For instance, on the Death Star he couldn't care less about saving Leia, because there was nothing in it for him. Luke had to promise him (and Chewy) more wealth than he could imagine, so that he'd be motivated to care. He couldn't care less about the rebellion. In Empire, he consistently wanted to leave the rebellion because of the Bounty on his head. Even though he had feelings for Leia, again, he was ready to bail on her to save his skin. He doesn't become pro-social until Return of the Jedi, where he finally goes all in, to help the rebellion.

Spoiler

I'd argue, when his entire origin story begins with fallout from his decision to bail on the woman he loves, and ends with a willingness to shun material gain for some greater good (that arguably begins the entire rebellion?!) it doesn't make sense. Why would he continue bailing on the ones he loves? Why be a smuggler at all? Why not join the rebellion from the onset, if you're willing to forfeit enough money to live on for the rest of your life, because you support their cause? It makes absolutely no sense. If he cared that much about the rebellion, he'd join it instead of going back to a life of petty theft.

The entire point of having a character arc is to provide motivation for change. Instead, this film undermines the idea that Han has a character arc at all. Instead, it tries to convince us that Han was just a reluctant idealist the entire time. In my opinion, it not only makes for a less exciting film, but undermines the OT in denying the arc ever existed.

I admit, as a stand alone film it's much better than TLJ and TFA. I liked Rogue One much better. However, in relation to the OT I found the Solo movie annoying.

Let me preface this by saying although I personally enjoyed the film, it’s not without its problems and I don’t think it really added anything to the character other than showing us a time in his life where he was naive.

With that said, I think the problem is that your basing it off a complete trilogy for Han’s arc whereas Solo is one film.

At the end of Solo, Hans still very much naive. He hasn’t met Jabba yet with all the territory surrounding that such as having a bounty on his head which would very much make him want to look out for only himself. Therefore pushing him more toward that selfishness in the Han you gravitate to. I’m not making excuses for the films flaws, but Solo was obviously pointing toward a sequel in which you may very well see more of the Han who only cares for himself.

Spoiler

Qira’s still around, but maybe it’s her death in a possible sequel that pushes him toward the more selfish Han.

 

[DarkChocobi]

Respectfully, I disagree. Han definitely had a character arc from A New Hope to Empire. In A New Hope he was anti-social, dragging his feet through the entire film, until the very end because he grew to care for Luke. For instance, on the Death Star he couldn't care less about saving Leia, because there was nothing in it for him. Luke had to promise him (and Chewy) more wealth than he could imagine, so that he'd be motivated to care. He couldn't care less about the rebellion. In Empire, he consistently wanted to leave the rebellion because of the Bounty on his head. Even though he had feelings for Leia, again, he was ready to bail on her to save his skin. He doesn't become pro-social until Return of the Jedi, where he finally goes all in, to help the rebellion.

Spoiler

I'd argue, when his entire origin story begins with fallout from his decision to bail on the woman he loves, and ends with a willingness to shun material gain for some greater good (that arguably begins the entire rebellion?!) it doesn't make sense. Why would he continue bailing on the ones he loves? Why be a smuggler at all? Why not join the rebellion from the onset, if you're willing to forfeit enough money to live on for the rest of your life, because you support their cause? It makes absolutely no sense. If he cared that much about the rebellion, he'd join it instead of going back to a life of petty theft.

The entire point of having a character arc is to provide motivation for change. Instead, this film undermines the idea that Han has a character arc at all. Instead, it tries to convince us that Han was just a reluctant idealist the entire time. In my opinion, it not only makes for a less exciting film, but undermines the OT in denying the arc ever existed.

I admit, as a stand alone film it's much better than TLJ and TFA. I liked Rogue One much better. However, in relation to the OT I found the Solo movie annoying.

Agree..

and somehow I believe those enjoy TLJ abomination might love this Soylo as well..same taste same *** thing you know

 

[Bruce Wayne]

Yes - this is the way Han was written and portrayed in the OT. Also, I think Lawrence Kasdan knows the character pretty well. I think he knows what drives this character and has accurately captured his essence in this film. I saw it tonight, and it exceeded my expectations. I loved it.

Exactly! Personally I enjoyed it. The Han and Chewie moments are what did it for me. But the film overal? It has its flaws but I’m probably going to have to see it again to iron out how I really feel about it. Like it’s rewatchability factor, etc.

 

[Hoody999]

This film is still ten years before we meet him in the cantina in Mos Eisley.

Imagine how many adventures and potential let-downs a Star Wars character could have in that time.

It's nurture over nature. Solo shows he wasn't born completely cynical and self-centred. Which explains why he'll eventually do the right thing in ANH and beyond. At heart he's a good person, but circumstances buried that aspect.

Spoiler

At least he shot Beckett first!

Exactly !! The larger arc is to get to the OT Solo mindset. That was the whole point of "I have a good feeling about this" etc.

 

[Hoody999]

Just got out. I can easily say I liked it more than TFA or TLJ, but not Rogue One. I definitely see Franken Berry’s point, but Astas point works too; you could go either way with Hans arc. Overall, was entertained, but not sure I need the figure. Go in with open mind, and you’ll at least be entertained for 2 hours.

I thought exactly the same. Better than TFA and TLJ, but not better than Rogue One. That last act in R1 just kicked ass !

In Solo there were just a few too many long drawn out boring bits I thought. And the villain.....what a nice guy ! But still liked the movie as a whole.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

Han Solo's character has always been that of the 'lovable rogue' kind.

He couldn't have been worse because he still had to be a hero in a film inspired by matinee serials that had been made specifically for children forty years earlier.

All Lucas did was take account of the changing times, add a little more darkness into the universe he was creating.

Jump forward another forty years and you're going to see some amendment on account of changing times. The changes in Solo are minimal when compared, say, with the Prequel or Sequel Trilogies.

I grew up with Star Wars almost from its beginning, and Solo feels the closest any of the post-1983 films have come to capturing the spirit and mood of the early novels.

If that's at odds with other viewers' experiences it doesn't change mine. And I wouldn't put too much energy into trying to change the perceptions of others. We all like what we like for different reasons.

Lol! Missed reading this. I tried. thanks! I just think fan backlash and negative opinions are not always well thought out.

 

[Adam1138]

Great that you all have your opinions about the film here’s the link for the right part of the forum to talk about it.

https://www.sideshowcollectors.com/.../159837-solo-star-wars-story-25th-2018-a.html

Now can we get back to talking about the figure??

 

[Bruce Wayne]

I enjoyed the film but not enough to want to buy the figure. I think the figure is spot on though.

 

[Franken Berry]

Exactly !! The larger arc is to get to the OT Solo mindset. That was the whole point of "I have a good feeling about this" etc.

That's not an arc, but a full circle. He goes from being a reluctant hero to a selfish anti-hero to a reluctant hero again? It's bad writing. Worse, we never actually see the cynical Han Solo in any way, shape or form. This film should have at least ended in cynicism, if there's an arc at all. Instead, the protagonist stayed the same throughout the entire film, learned nothing, and ended up pretty much where he began, through his own volition... Solo's decisions at the end made absolutely no sense. Without spoilers, he'd either commit to the thing he made sacrifices for, or he wouldn't have made the sacrifice.

 

[hen88]

I enjoyed the film but not enough to want to buy the figure. I think the figure is spot on though.

I decided to preorder. I really hope they decide to do Lando and Qi’ra. Along with Chewy, they would make a nice set to display.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

That's not an arc, but a full circle. He goes from being a reluctant hero to a selfish anti-hero to a reluctant hero again? It's bad writing. Worse, we never actually see the cynical Han Solo in any way, shape or form. This film should have at least ended in cynicism, if there's an arc at all. Instead, the protagonist stayed the same throughout the entire film, learned nothing, and ended up pretty much where he began, through his own volition... Solo's decisions at the end made absolutely no sense. Without spoilers, he'd either commit to the thing he made sacrifices for, or he wouldn't have made the sacrifice.

Spoiler

Qira’s still around, but maybe it’s her death in a possible sequel that pushes him toward the more selfish Han that you recognize in the OT. I think this film is about showing us the Han that was naive and nothing more.

 

[Hoody999]

The headsculpt on this is pretty damn good I think. I won't be getting him, however it's a solid figure.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

I decided to preorder. I really hope they decide to do Lando and Qi’ra. Along with Chewy, they would make a nice set to display.

That would totally be an awesome display. I might reconsider if I enjoy the sequel more (if one gets made). But by then I’m usually too late and I’m regretting my decision not to get it in the first place.

 

[Popnfresh98]

I don’t know how many figures we’ll be getting with it really underperforming at the box office. Initial predictions were set at $170 million, but now that’s changed to $110-115 million (super low for a SW movie!) as the opening day turned in a lot less viewers than expected. It seems there’s not much interest. And that’s the 4 day memorial weekend total at that, instead of the usual 3 (which is tracking to 90mil)

Critic review scores are not great and audience scores are even lower... hope for the best but expect the worst in this case. Could be very likely Han will be all that comes out.