I loved it. After struggling between my admiration for some of the boldness in TLJ and disappointment with the short-sightedness of the same (IMO), SOLO was absolutely what my heart needed.
I was on board with Ehrenreich from the casting news because I had just seen him steal Hail Ceaser and I could see elements to draw on in that performance. So I wasn't surprised that he was great but I was surprised that he grand-slammed it. Not just in his Han portrayal but in the Han/Chewie dynamic (also massive props to Joonas Suotamo for his seamless transition starting in TFA but best utilized here). I was mostly unfamiliar with Glover - never watched community or Atlanta - but he was also fantastic. Harrelson is always good and Khaleesi actually showed more charm here than she ever gets to on GoT.
The story is by-the-numbers but SW has never been about blazing new trails in narrative concepts.
Loved the aesthetic choices from costumes to aliens. It does feel a-piece with Rogue One in that way. Even with the disparate tones I believe it's the same OT universe. It's really a beautiful looking film from the start, another thing in common with RO, while the new saga films seem to struggle with a stagier, blander presentation.
I need to pick up the soundtrack, I just remembered.
It's a shame that it appears to be financially reaping what TLJ sowed. But that is what it is. Disney is certainly familiar with this concept as their animated movies have gone through it in the past - the reception has at times reflected the quality of the previous more than the new product.
At this point I am much more interested in these anthology stories than the future of the used-to-be-Skywalker saga.
But I will be there to see how well JJ pulls back on the yoke.
