For better or worse, Solo: A Star Wars Story hits Netflix

If you were among the droves of people to stay away from the theatre because of the generally poor reviews of Solo: A Star Wars Story, seeing it today won’t cost you any extra because the film has arrived on Netflix.

Solo isn’t a bad film, it certainly has its moments, but it also isn’t great.  Among the recent Star Wars films it has been the most disappointing both for fan reaction and ticket sales.

In fact, it preformed so poorly that Disney has abandoned its plans to push out a new Star Wars movie every year until the end of time.  So, if for no other reason than that, Solo is an important movie.

(But don’t worry Star Wars fans, Episode IX will still hit theatres this December bring a close to the Skywalker Saga.)

An enjoyable flop

Solo is a generally solid sci-fi film that tells a pretty decent story that really didn’t need to exist in the Star Wars universe.  Really, if not for familiar names and (what feels like a contractually obligated) appearance of a lightsaber towards the end, it could be any random space flick.

Of the characters we know, Lando Calrissian feels the most familiar with Donald Glover fabulously taking on the roll.  The same cannot be said of Alden Ehrenreich, who plays the titular Han Solo.  He is dressed like the Han Solo that we know, but doesn’t act like the Han Solo we know.

Newcomers Woody Harrelson has a terrible haircut but turns in a fine performance as Han’s mentor, Beckett.  Emilia Clarke succeeds in both acting and with her hairstyle as Qi’ra, a love interest turned antagonist.

If you’ve somehow managed to not see a trailer for Solo: A Star Wars Story until now, here it is!

There are many movies called Solo

Or check out one of the other movies named Solo that are on Netflix.  Solo (2017) is about four very different people each with a story that revolves around one of the elements of earth, air, water and fire. Check out a trailer below, and get prepared to do some reading because the movie is subtitled.

If you can wait until Friday, there is a Netflix original that also fits the bill. Solo (2019) is about a surfer who falls off a cliff and reflects on his life as he slowly drowns.  The movie is based on a true story and a trailer can be found here.