douglasbrook-1

Alden Ehenreich shone in 'Hail Ceaser" as a rising star with the X factor and unsurpassed Charisma - so it was a thrill to know he had been cast as Han Solo. Upon seeing "Solo" expectations were not disappointed - he morphs into the character and in your mind he seamlessly merges with Harrison Fords rendition - making it a piece of casting perfection. He radiates the essential Han Solo characteristics and his beauty and charisma are captivating. The excellent genre script inventively covers the story points we expected - such as meeting Chewbacca. The script supplies plenty of unexpected twists to elevate the film above a mere origin story and make it work as a great film in its own right. The entire cast and direction are perfect. Of course Ron Howard is a master at what he does so no surprise that he puts the entire film together flawlessly. One can wistfully hope that Disney may dispense with the reckless, egotistical, cerebral, misguided directors like Rian J. and just admit that Howard knows Star Wars and let him direct all future films. Perhaps the most flawless Star Wars film since A New Hope. While The Empire Strikes Back is, IMO, the best - the "Empire" story structure has some flaw. While Rogue One is the 3rd best, IMO, the script has some uneven and illogical sections - while the script for Solo feels as if it has been perfectly edited and as if it flowed out with no lumps or bumps. There are adventures, action, comedy, emotion and intelligence - all exactly in the tone of Star Wars. The only disapointment is the way the critics and fans have decided to make this film the sacrificial lamb to atone for the misguided sins of TFA and TLJ. We should be celebrating that the film makers finally got the formula so right after the unmentionable prequels and the misjudged sequels. I myself could happily watch another 10 adventures of Han, Chewie and Lando. It shows that the sequel trilogy - with it's attempts to follow the originals is waning while there is untapped potential in films like Rogue One and Solo. Heres hoping Disney and the disgruntled fans can see sense and continue with more of Alden and Solo stories!

Great Acting. Great Script. Clever Editing. Great Direction - Great film! So moving. Brings up all the feelings of being a teenager and being hit by life when you are young and inexperienced. Loved the Sydney atmosphere. The Actors are all perfect. Perfectly nuanced and realised. I really loved this film although it was sad and hard to watch sometimes. Excellent drama.