As I sat down on Sunday, May the Fourth, 2025, I knew which Star Wars movie I wanted to watch again. I told my wife that we are waiting to rewatch Rogue One until after the conclusion of Andor: Season 2, and I asked my wife to choose one of the 9 Skywalker Saga movies or Solo: A Star Wars Story. Interestingly enough, she picked the movie that I feel is the most underrated Star Wars movie ever produced and one of my personal favorites, second to Rogue One of course.
When Disney acquired Lucasfilm and the Star Wars franchise in 2012, fans were simultaneously excited and skeptical about the future of the galaxy far, far away. Amid the post-Disney era films, one stands out as a tragically underrated entry: Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018). Sandwiched between the divisive The Last Jedi and the release fatigue of annual Star Wars films, Solo was unfairly dismissed by audiences and critics alike. However, upon a closer examination of its storytelling, action sequences, deep lore connections, and surprisingly effective performances—especially Alden Ehrenreich as the young Han Solo—it becomes clear that Solo deserves reevaluation as one of the strongest and most enjoyable Star Wars films produced under Disney.
The Shadow of The Last Jedi and the Burden of Misplaced Expectations
To understand why Solo underperformed at the box office and suffered in the court of public opinion, we must first address the elephant in the room: The Last Jedi (2017). While Rian Johnson’s bold and subversive installment has its defenders, it also fractured the fan base and generated immense backlash. Disney’s decision to release Solo a mere five months after The Last Jedi—instead of delaying to the traditional December slot—meant the film was unjustly caught in the crossfire of fan disillusionment and Star Wars fatigue. The backlash against The Last Jedi colored perceptions of Solo before it even hit theaters, with many fans dismissing it out of hand or actively boycotting it.
This premature judgment deprived audiences of the chance to experience what is arguably one of the most tightly crafted and purely entertaining films in the franchise.
A Storyline Rooted in Classic Star Wars Adventure
Unlike the sometimes overly philosophical tone of the sequel trilogy, Solo brings Star Wars back to its adventurous roots. The film is a high-octane space Western that tells the story of Han Solo’s origins—how he met Chewbacca, acquired the Millennium Falcon, and first crossed paths with Lando Calrissian. Rather than feeling like a checklist of fan-service moments, these elements are woven organically into a well-paced narrative that never forgets the spirit of fun that defines the best of Star Wars.
Screenwriters Jonathan and Lawrence Kasdan (the latter having co-written The Empire Strikes Back) delivered a sharp, emotionally grounded script that balances character development with action. Han’s journey from a street-smart survivor to a budding hero is both compelling and credible. The story avoids the pitfall of making Han a noble-hearted rebel from the start; instead, we see his evolution through betrayal, loss, and his reluctant attachment to a cause greater than himself—a thematic echo of the original trilogy.
Ehrenreich’s Han Solo: A Fresh but Faithful Interpretation
A major criticism levied at Solo prior to its release was the casting of Alden Ehrenreich as the young Han Solo. Many fans believed Harrison Ford’s iconic portrayal was untouchable. However, Ehrenreich’s performance, when viewed without bias, is nothing short of impressive. He wisely avoids impersonating Ford, instead channeling the essence of Han Solo—the smirk, the recklessness, the charm, and underlying vulnerability—into a version of the character that is believable for a younger man still finding his place in the galaxy.
Ehrenreich brings nuance to Han’s cocky exterior, subtly hinting at the idealism and loyalty that would later define him. His chemistry with Donald Glover’s Lando Calrissian and Emilia Clarke’s Qi’ra adds depth to the narrative, showing how relationships and betrayals helped shape the rogue smuggler fans came to love.
Spectacular Action and World-Building
Solo delivers some of the most visually stunning and memorable action sequences in the Disney era. The high-stakes train heist on Vandor is a standout moment that combines thrilling set pieces with moral dilemmas. The famed Kessel Run is given the mythic treatment it deserves—complete with unexpected twists, jaw-dropping visuals, and a tense battle for survival against both Imperial forces and natural phenomena.
Moreover, the world-building in Solo is top-tier. The film introduces viewers to new corners of the galaxy while enriching known lore. Crimson Dawn, the crime syndicate led by the shadowy figure of Darth Maul (a shocking and delightful tie-in to The Clone Wars and Rebels animated series), expands the underworld narrative threads of Star Wars in a way that opens doors for future storytelling.
Deep Tie-Ins and Fan Service Done Right
One of Solo‘s greatest strengths is its ability to tie into the larger Star Wars universe without feeling forced. From subtle nods to Legends canon—such as references to Teräs Käsi and Aurra Sing—to deeper connections like Maul’s appearance, Solo bridges the gap between movies, animated series, and comics. It rewards long-time fans with meaningful Easter eggs while remaining accessible to casual viewers.
The film also deepens our understanding of established characters. Lando, played with charismatic flair by Donald Glover, is not only a stylish gambler but a complex figure with his own motivations and loyalties. Qi’ra’s relationship with both Han and Maul introduces shades of moral ambiguity rarely explored in the mainline films.
A Victim of Timing, Not Quality
In retrospect, Solo was doomed more by its context than its content. Had it been released at a different time—perhaps post-Rise of Skywalker or in a holiday slot with more breathing room—it’s likely that it would have fared far better commercially and critically. Disney’s over-saturation of the brand, compounded by the backlash from The Last Jedi, meant that audiences were predisposed to undervalue the film, if they bothered to see it at all.
Time to Reevaluate
Solo: A Star Wars Story is not just a competent film—it’s a great one, and arguably among the best of the Disney-era Star Wars offerings. It delivers an exciting adventure grounded in character and lore, with top-tier performances, dazzling action, and a respect for the franchise’s mythos that never feels pandering. Alden Ehrenreich, far from being a miscast liability, proved himself a worthy successor to the mantle of Han Solo.
The time has come for fans to revisit Solo with fresh eyes—free from the weight of franchise politics and unmet expectations. It may not have made the box office billions it deserved, but in the pantheon of Star Wars films, Solo shines brightly as a misjudged gem, waiting to take its rightful place among the saga’s best.