Did Solo: A Star Wars Story save the Star Wars franchise after Star Wars: The Last Jedi left it in shambles?
There are no spoilers for Solo: A Star Wars Story.
Star Wars fans for years have been accustomed to the same blockbuster formula, a group of heroes fighting for freedom against not only tyranny but a dark force that enveloped everything it touched. The magic of Star Wars films gained the franchise millions of fans, both young and old.
Only now, the dark force in the Star Wars Universe isn’t the Dark Side, its the disappointment felt by fans all over the world in Star Wars: The Last Jedi. To quote a famous line from Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars: A New Hope:
"“I felt a great disturbance in the Force, as if millions of voices suddenly cried out in terror, and were suddenly silenced. I fear something terrible has happened”"
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Anything that was associated with the name Star Wars was golden, even the prequels in their own way. Then came Star Wars: The Last Jedi, a Star Wars film that broke the mold and threw the Star Wars Universe into chaos.
This is uncharted territory for Star Wars since Disney purchased the franchise. And with two years before the current trilogy will conclude, Lucasfilm looks to an old friend to right the ship.
Solo: A Star Wars Story will try to recapture the magic felt by every generation of Star Wars fans. The fans who camped out for two weeks to be the first in line at the theater, the fans who used flashlights as lightsabers so they could battle their best friend, and the fans who felt betrayed by a director who ignored that very formula.
To say Rian Johnson’s The Last Jedi had a polarizing effect on Star Wars fans would be an understatement. To say Solo: A Star Wars Story must somehow win those very fans back would be an even bigger understatement.
Lucasfilm has a chance to not only gain back the confidence of the naysayers, but can set the stage for a triumphant run to Episode IX. The last thing Disney can afford is doubt in its ability to deliver the brand that fans expect.
Disney has proved they are not messing up a golden opportunity when they replaced directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller with Ron Howard after initial reactions to the project were bad. Howard not only took the bull by the horn during re-shoots, but he also garnered praise from fans for his enthusiasm and genuine love for the film.
And not to spoil anything for readers who have yet to see the film, but you can see the love Howard brought to the film and yes, some of that old Star Wars magic is definitely present. Fans were excited to see a director who embraced everything they loved about Star Wars, not try to change it.
Next: Solo Easter eggs bind the galaxy together
Thanks to Howard’s dedication and hard work, the buzz for the latest Star Wars Story is real. And unlike Star Wars: The Last Jedi, the theme music isn’t the only familiar thing about Solo: A Star Wars Story.
Solo: A Star Wars Story is currently playing in theaters, worldwide.