Non spoilery review of Solo

[alias_sqbr]

It is a competently made space heist movie about the young Han Solo. It's very similar in tone to the original trilogy, since it has the same writer. It felt like a modern adaptation of an entertaining 1930s space opera.

They've updated things with a little more diversity and a little less sexism, but it is ultimately about a white dude's journey, and some of the well meaning progressive subtext is very...written by old white dudes.

I still really enjoyed it though! It certainly wasn't as obnoxious as I was expecting from the trailer, and I ended up with more Feelings than I was expecting. Everyone is likeable and while the movie doesn't do anything new it uses it's old tropes effectively.

Don't go in expecting queer content, though. Lando is believable as pansexual, but he never expresses explicit interest in dudes. I don't think the movie passes the Bechdel test, either, and there's a Gratuitously Scarred Bad Guy. Also some plot choices made me give a tired sigh.