Solo General News/Discussion Thread-Solo: A Star Wars Story. - Part 2

[DarthSkywalker]

No one was going to make a movie about Han Solo post Episode VII. This was always going to be a prequel, and it was always going to include the familiar elements. In that way, the movie sort of writes itself. I'm not really going to speculate on Kasdan's motivations. But, just him being involved and writing it doesn't automatically mean it's a story we need to tell. That is at the end of the day my problem with this movie: I just don't see why this needs to be told. I am hoping not all the spin-off movies end up that way. I felt like Rogue One toed that line a bit, but ultimately I thought it worked. But, that dealt with largely new characters. This will not. It doesn't get that blank canvas. Yes, they had to end up with the Death Star plans, but how they did that was vague. Here, they have to make sure to include many more elements. Ultimately, I just see the movie ending up not being much. Maybe I will be wrong, but I am also willing to admit this movie has a way to go to win me over.

More what I meant with the Santa Claus line was it's not really up to me to ruin something for you. Didn't mean like I see your blind or anything. I can see how you interpreted it that way, though.

There is not one Star Wars story that needs to be told. Heck, there aren't very many films that have stories that need to be told. I get the idea of this being a story that we have had vague illusions to and thus that mystery is gone. I get the idea that this might just be a series of moments we have heard about as opposed to a story of its own making. And if it is that I will be really disappointed. But I am also all for hanging out with Han, Lando and Chewie again, while hopefully getting a story worth the journey.

I get you and that makes sense. You don't want to potentially bring someone down who is excited. Don't worry about that with me. You know how stubborn I am. t:

 

[chintai80]

For me honestly, all the Star Wars teasers have been flat. They show good visuals, but the lack of story in them always leaves me thinking "That didn't say much" and I feel all the films from Episode VII onward have had that problem. That's just me though.

well yea, i contend anything after the OT is pretty much one giant fan service.

the whole franchise has been that for a long time - it's about connecting you to that sense of nostalgia and broadening the canvas of that.

i liked the new movies and rogue one so far, so i'm fine with all the stuff disney is doing with the franchise now.

as long as the story's good and production value is good.

the sfx is waaaay better now then when the prequels came out - so i'm happy with that too. haha

 

[Spider-Fan]

There is not one Star Wars story that needs to be told. Heck, there aren't very many films that have stories that need to be told. I get the idea of this being a story that we have had vague illusions to and thus that mystery is gone. I get the idea that this might just be a series of moments we have heard about as opposed to a story of its own making. And if it is that I will be really disappointed. But I am also all for hanging out with Han, Lando and Chewie again, while hopefully getting a story worth the journey.

I get you and that makes sense. You don't want to potentially bring someone down who is excited. Don't worry about that with me. You know how stubborn I am. t:

At the end of the day, I am hoping this movie does that. For me, Rogue One was one thing because if you botch the story of Jin Urso, oh well, she was in 1 movie. But, Han Solo is a character I have more loyalty toward, so his treatment (particularly since Ford is never walking through that door again) is something I care very much about. I am hoping Disney got this one right, but this production and its history scare me, LOL!

And that is exactly what I was going for with the Santa comment, LOL! t: If you're someone excited for the movie, then be excited! SF's skepticism should not ruin this for ya

 

[Brother Jack]

It's not about half glass full/half empty. You can't apply that to a movie like this. I sound cynical because this movie is cynical. I'm not going to fool myself and rationalize thinking this movie will be good. If you want to, then go ahead. Enjoy it. Let's keep pretending these movies and the way they're being run don't have serious problems. As long as I get to see my favorite Star Wars things, then everything is fine!

You're assuming a lot here, mainly that your opinion is objective fact.

Look man, you're clearly passionate about this and sharp enough to articulate your take on it. That's great; there's nothing wrong with that. And I don't even entirely disagree with you. I have had problems with each movie in the Disney/Kennedy era, and I certainly recognize the downfall inherent to the corporate, mass marketed nature of Star Wars and its parents companies. It's healthy to have some skepticism about it and the fandom it generates. However, these are not new issues. The problem is the tone with which you present yourself. Whether you intend to or not, you make it sound as though anyone who is excited for this movie, or who have generally been down with the films in the new era, are idiots. And that is just not the way to make your case. It's a good way to get people pissed off at you.

 

[Gothamsknight]

Just so we are clear. According to Doctor Jones The Force Awakens, Rogue One and The Last Jedi have all been cynical cash grabs with no artistic merit and people who go to Celebration are fooling themselves into liking Star Wars.

ive noticed this from him myself. Its honestly laughable to me lol. And im starting to see the "at least the prequels" thrown around from a few others as well and i cant help but to shake my head, and im even a prequel defender! However, all of the new films so far have been vastly superior to the prequel trilogy (in my opinion of course), but thats for a whole other discussion.

What i dont get is why some people think Disney and Lucasfilm dont know what theyre doing. Why?? Because they're "disney"? Thats such a lame reason to discredit them, honestly. They've delivered 3 Star Wars films so far that have had a major impact on the audience in multiple ways, and i dont forsee any documentaries on how "disney ruined star wars" any time soon. Its starting to get annoying seeing people discreetly imply that they want disney to fail with star wars for whatever reason.

 

[Marvolo]

I think the trailer needed a moment like the final seconds of the TFA teaser. They tried to do it with the tentacle bit but without the star wars theme and wth all the clouds obscuring stuff it just falls flat.

 

[Frodo]

What i dont get is why some people think Disney and Lucasfilm dont know what theyre doing. Why?? Because they're "disney"? Thats such a lame reason to discredit them, honestly. They've delivered 3 Star Wars films so far that have had a major impact on the audience in multiple ways, and i dont forsee any documentaries on how "disney ruined star wars" any time soon. Its starting to get annoying seeing people discreetly imply that they want disney to fail with star wars for whatever reason.

What you basically have is a divided fanbase, alot of which is along generational lines.

I think part of the issue Disney may be having in terms of the fanbase, is that they're working off of a 40 year old , ongoing ,established franchise which makse it very hard to please generations of fans with harden preconceived notions about what Sw should be and what it is.

With Marvel, you're dealing with characters who were largely unknown to the GA and relatively new in terms of film out put. And unlike, say Batman and Superman, SW hasn't been rebooted and their haven't been several iterations and versions which approach the myths at different perspectives or angles.

There's only been one version of SW in 40 years and it becomes more and more difficult to change a franchise once its been around that long. Ask EON about Bond. You can add new things and maybe put a different spin on it but radical change becomes difficult as far as fans are concerned. Not saying that's how things should be, but that's the reality, like it or not.

Imo, Rogue one has been the best of the new films, and I actually think the future of the SW are the Spin offs which do their own thing, as opposed to endless saga films.

 

[Wise]

Visuals look great. The shots in this trailer make TFA and TLJ look like student films

The dialogue is sufficiently blunt and cheesy "I'm putting together a crew".

I'll see it. It looks pretty decent. The Aldrich kid doesn't look or sound like Harrison Ford at all, but thats something that I'm sure I'll be able to get over within 5 minutes.

I'm glad Ron Howard got a chance to make a full SW film, considering he made Willow which was really the closest thing to the Original Trilogy. Its basically Star Wars of the Rings

 

[chintai80]

Visuals look great. The shots in this trailer make TFA and TLJ look like student films

The dialogue is sufficiently blunt and cheesy "I'm putting together a crew".

I'll see it. It looks pretty decent. The Aldrich kid doesn't look or sound like Harrison Ford at all, but thats something that I'm sure I'll be able to get over within 5 minutes.

I'm glad Ron Howard got a chance to make a full SW film, considering he made Willow which was really the closest thing to the Original Trilogy. Its basically Star Wars of the Rings

yea, i trust in ron howard's directing.

not gonna lie - i get more joy out of watching willow than the lotr trilogy.

willow ain't got any filler - just one simple movie. and lotr ain't got mad martigan.

so willow > lotr.

ron howard's directing > your lack of faith in ron howard.

 

[Kane52630]

 

[chintai80]

i love how donald glover as young lando looks like he straight up came out of a western.

notorious gambler indeed.

seems like they are pushing the western in space motif for this.

 

[Wise]

I like how the Falcon looks completely different under Landos ownership. Its more of a customised VIP car than a stripped out hotrod.

 

[chintai80]

han solo's a slob.

it was all clean and pristine looking before.

but after han took ownership of it, it got all grimy and issh.

 

[jmc]

What you basically have is a divided fanbase, alot of which is along generational lines.

I think part of the issue Disney may be having in terms of the fanbase, is that they're working off of a 40 year old , ongoing ,established franchise which makse it very hard to please generations of fans with harden preconceived notions about what Sw should be and what it is.

With Marvel, you're dealing with characters who were largely unknown to the GA and relatively new in terms of film out put. And unlike, say Batman and Superman, SW hasn't been rebooted and their haven't been several iterations and versions which approach the myths at different perspectives or angles.

There's only been one version of SW in 40 years and it becomes more and more difficult to change a franchise once its been around that long. Ask EON about Bond. You can add new things and maybe put a different spin on it but radical change becomes difficult as far as fans are concerned. Not saying that's how things should be, but that's the reality, like it or not.

Imo, Rogue one has been the best of the new films, and I actually think the future of the SW are the Spin offs which do their own thing, as opposed to endless saga films.

Which is why it's a stupid idea to be doing Star Wars movies set in the past. If they really were concerned about pushing the franchise in a new direction they should be doing films set in the present day universe or films in the past that have no connection to the original trilogy. Disney are trying to have their cake and eat it too as evident by TLJ. The problem we've yet to answer is whether Star Wars is viable without it being connected to the original trilogy.

 

[Broseph44]

Just so we are clear. According to Doctor Jones The Force Awakens, Rogue One and The Last Jedi have all been cynical cash grabs with no artistic merit and people who go to Celebration are fooling themselves into liking Star Wars.

I believe the term he used when talking about people at celebration a couple of years ago was “sheep”. We fans are just mindless drones.

 

[MagnarTheGreat]

Let the past die. Just be sure to turn up for our Han Solo prequel movie 5 months later.

-love,
Lucasfilm

 

[KaijuDude1992]

The trailer was fine IMO, but its not like my expectations are high for this film. I'm not really feeling Alden as a young Han Solo either, but I'll wait to see the movie before I judge it any further. The rest of the cast is looking really promising though and I am liking the visual effects.

 

[chintai80]

nostalgia and fan service can be quite a drug.

ain't nothing wrong with any of that if it's pulled off well.

lot of good prequels out there. (godfather 2, the good bad and the ugly, etc)

let's wait and see till the movie's out before we come to any conclusions.
it might have some nice twists and turns.

it will be like watching a puzzle slowly unfold even though you know the end result (han in episode 4).
maybe it'll have enlightening bits along the way.

 

[Grootster]

Let the past die. Just be sure to turn up for our Han Solo prequel movie 5 months later.

-love,
Lucasfilm

This is what baffles me. Lucasfilm made two heavily nostalgia-driven movies (not to mention most of their new EU stuff has been OT-based.)

Then they turn around and make a movie that emphasizes "letting the past die" and "everything you thought was important really isn't." Only they end that movie by saying "oh, the Jedi and the rebels will always be around, nothing's really changed after all."

Then they make another blatantly nostalgia-driven movie.

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I mean I liked Rogue One and it looks like I'll enjoy this, but I think it's clear that Lucasfilm overall has no real vision for this franchise. I could understand if they started with nostalgia-driven movies and gradually eased into more unique stuff over time, but there's no real rhyme or reason to it.

 

[Marvolo]

This is what baffles me. Lucasfilm made two heavily nostalgia-driven movies (not to mention most of their new EU stuff has been OT-based.)

Then they turn around and make a movie that emphasizes "letting the past die" and "everything you thought was important really isn't." Only they end that movie by saying "oh, the Jedi and the rebels will always be around, nothing's really changed after all."

Then they make another blatantly nostalgia-driven movie.

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I mean I liked Rogue One and it looks like I'll enjoy this, but I think it's clear that Lucasfilm overall has no real vision for this franchise. I could understand if they started with nostalgia-driven movies and gradually eased into more unique stuff over time, but there's no real rhyme or reason to it.

Why do they need to adhere to any single approach? Nostalgic type star wars films can exist alongside films that take a new direction.

 

[chintai80]

Why do they need to adhere to any single approach? Nostalgic type star wars films can exist alongside films that take a new direction.

exactly.
this is what i like about disney's approach so far.

i think they know exactly what they are doing.

seems like they have a real vision, imo.
it's like a two-pronged attack.

prequels for nostalgia one year.
and sequels to further the saga for another year.

 

[Doctor Jones]

You're assuming a lot here, mainly that your opinion is objective fact.

Look man, you're clearly passionate about this and sharp enough to articulate your take on it. That's great; there's nothing wrong with that. And I don't even entirely disagree with you. I have had problems with each movie in the Disney/Kennedy era, and I certainly recognize the downfall inherent to the corporate, mass marketed nature of Star Wars and its parents companies. It's healthy to have some skepticism about it and the fandom it generates. However, these are not new issues. The problem is the tone with which you present yourself. Whether you intend to or not, you make it sound as though anyone who is excited for this movie, or who have generally been down with the films in the new era, are idiots. And that is just not the way to make your case. It's a good way to get people pissed off at you.

Do I think a lot of SW fans online are brainless idiots for eating everything up without question who keep feeding the machine? Yeah. Yeah I do. If you look at a trailer reaction video and see someone freak out about seeing the Millenium Falcon in a Han Solo movie for the umpteenth time for the sake of a few hits, then I think you're an absolute idiot. But that's not where my tone comes from. My tone comes from greater fundamental problems of this franchise and any attitude I have is aimed at people not seeing that. But I don't think those people are idiots. Let's make a distinction here. But when people do have problems with them, it's about superficial stuff like how they hated the casino planet in TLJ or their fan theory they projected into something that was never properly set up turned out to be wrong and that's why it's a bad movie.

I get some of these people don't think of movies critically like a lot of do here and many are Average Joe's with jobs, families and have work in the morning but also happen to love SW. I get that and that's part of life. What disturbs me is that Disney has managed to engineer to appeal to the four quadrants and combine it with the good will and recognition of SW to run their business model like McDonalds. It's this cyclical thing. It's frustrating. The constant bombardment and need for content and clicks dictated by SW that's now unambitious is more frustrating. Honestly, what the hell else can we possibly find out about this movie? This ain't Cloverfield. And seeing people love that when I think the whole original intent and spirit has been sucked out of SW is more frustrating. People just will eat anything up and not question it and think objectively about it. It's all just great by the virtue that it feels like Star Wars. To Disney, Star Wars is making stories out of what you remember about Star Wars in superficial ways, and we end up getting really standard stuff.

Look, I don't care if you enjoy these movies or not, but it's also possible to admit that this model hasn't totally worked and yes, be honest about them. I do think people are rationalizing these movies. TFA and TLJ aren't bad movies at all. I quite liked TLJ and think it's the best of the news ones, but it's just there's something worse behind them and how they're being made is what I hate that hold themselves back. I just don't think Kathleen Kennedy should be making creative decisions. I respect her a lot. She's brilliant. But she does not get SW. I think all these problems outweigh a bad romance or Jar Jar Binks.

 

[KRYPTON INC.]

Good trailer. The film looks beautiful, production design is on point. Not much to go on with the new characters being introduced but Han, Lando and Chewie look good, and honestly I doused Alden even attempting todo a Ford impression. This is Pine as Kirk stuff. The actor is not even going to go near mimicking the voice or mannerisms of his predecessor. I think the writing of the lines and the delivery do feel within the essence of the character. The flippancy, the arrogance, the false front of cool to cover up the fly by the seat of his pants methodology... Feels very Solo to me. That's me.

I am not asking for the moon with this film. A cool little action adventure story in the under world of Star Wars that includes some filling in of the back story as a cherry on top about Han is all I want and so far looks like they delivered, problems getting to completion not withstanding.

 

[Hypestyle]

at least there's no Death Star to blow up here.

I hope that this film is allowed to go for several episodes. There's no reason why this movie has to end with the situation right before A New Hope starts.

Additionally, I'm hoping it will be explained just who owned the Millennium Falcon first.

Too bad there won't be a framing sequence with Harrison. Ah well.

 

[Grootster]

Why do they need to adhere to any single approach? Nostalgic type star wars films can exist alongside films that take a new direction.

If the Last Jedi simply took a different direction without calling attention to it that would be fine. The problem is that TLJ went out of it's way to emphasize that the past should die and that things we think are important actually aren't. It was a message clearly aimed at the fanbase. It's kind of counterproductive to follow that message up with another nostalgic driven film.