Critics have been reacting to the new Star Wars Han Solo origin film, Solo: A Star Wars Story.
The Ron Howard-directed movie stars Alden Ehrenreich as a young Han Solo, as well as Donald Glover, Emilia Clarke, Woody Harrelson, Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Joonas Suotamo.
It premiered in Hollywood on Thursday (May 11) and, with reviews currently under embargo, critics have been taking to Twitter to share their first thoughts.
Many have been leaping praise on the movie, with one critic describing it as “a goddamn delight,” adding: “It’s a non-stop adventure packed with way more emotion than your expecting.”
Another summarised: “Charming cast, fun action, good jokes, good fan service but still does its own thing”.
Alden Ehrenreich’s role as Han Solo has been lauded too, with one critic saying his portrayal is “full of charm and definitely does right by Harrison Ford”. Donald Glover is also described as “equally great as Lando”.
Solo: A Star Wars Story is a goddamn delight. It’s a non-stop adventure packed with way more emotion than your expecting. You’ll have a smile on your face the whole time and leave eager for more. pic.twitter.com/fOsF7Tr95L
— Germain Lussier (@GermainLussier) May 11, 2018
#Solo was a blast. The Kasdans nail the character of Han Solo. Yes, the story is a series of expected events (Han meets chewie….etc) but none of them happen as expected. Stay away from spoilers, big Marvel-level shit that will make you wonder where Lucasfilm is headed next.
— Peter Sciretta (@slashfilm) May 11, 2018
#Solo is a ton of fun! Alden Ehrenreich is full of charm and definitely does right by Harrison Ford. Not to mention Donald Glover, who's equally great as Lando.
Don't let the drama and rumors fool you, this is a seriously fun, exciting addition to the Star Wars universe!
— Tom Jorgensen (@Tom_Jorgensen) May 11, 2018
Ooo @StarWars fans you are in for a friggin TREAT w/ #Solo. Killer cast. A great adventure. So much fun. #hansolo
— Kara Warner (@karawarner) May 11, 2018
#Solo is afun! I was pleasantly surprised that it worked as well as it did given all the behind the scenes drama & retooling. Charming cast, fun action, good jokes, good fan service but still does its own thing. #StarWars will be fine.
— Jim Vejvoda (@JimVejvoda) May 11, 2018
#SoloAStarWarsStory: It takes a bit for it to find its feet and for AE to turn on enough charm to make you forget he’s not HF. But once it kicks into its hey-let’s-make-a-crew and yes-also-do-a-heist stuff, it totally flies.
— Kate Erbland (@katerbland) May 11, 2018
Oh, thank the maker. It’s good. It’s sooo good. #Solo
— Chris Taylor (@FutureBoy) May 11, 2018
This is the grungiest, most grunt-level blue collar #StarWars ever and I am here for it. #Solo
— Chris Taylor (@FutureBoy) May 11, 2018
Thrilled to say #SoloAStarWarsStory WORKS. Cast crushed it – true to what we know yet energetic, fresh. Only subpar thing – at least forty minutes wasted on scenes where characters wolf down raw vidalia onions? Third act drags too. Still, this is a REAL Star Wars movie – loved it
— Ben Mekler (@benmekler) May 11, 2018
Others weren’t so keen. Many critics noted how the film is slow to start off with, with one describing the first part as “clunky”.
One critic added: “Not convinced we needed a young Han Solo movie. Was really hoping for higher stakes, more energy and depth.”
Solo: A Star Wars Story is… fine. It's slow to find its footing, but picks up in the second act, and it's definitely fun. Has the occasional prequel problem answering questions I didn't need answers to, but also some fun references. Overall I liked it, didn't love it pic.twitter.com/dV02yRYueA
— Eric Eisenberg (@eeisenberg) May 11, 2018
#SoloAStarWarsStory: It takes a bit for it to find its feet and for AE to turn on enough charm to make you forget he’s not HF. But once it kicks into its hey-let’s-make-a-crew and yes-also-do-a-heist stuff, it totally flies.
— Kate Erbland (@katerbland) May 11, 2018
It does take a bit to get used to Alden as Han, but after 30 minutes or so your brain adjusts. (Also I've now finally seen Clint Howard in a Star Wars movie.) #soloastarwarsstory
— Mike Ryan (@mikeryan) May 11, 2018
There’s some fun to be had with #SoloAStarWarsStory. Ehrenreich was solid and really enjoyed Glover and Waller-Bridge as L3, but not convinced we needed a young Han Solo movie. Was really hoping for higher stakes, more energy and depth.
— Perri Nemiroff (@PNemiroff) May 11, 2018
The UK will get to see Solo: A Star Wars Story earlier than many parts of the world, hitting UK cinemas on May 24. It will open a day later in the US on May 25. Full reviews arrive on May 15.
Here’s everything we know about the film so far.
The official plot summary reads: “Board the Millennium Falcon and journey to a galaxy far, far away in Solo: A Star Wars Story, an all-new adventure with the most beloved scoundrel in the galaxy.”
“Through a series of daring escapades deep within a dark and dangerous criminal underworld, Han Solo meets his mighty future copilot Chewbacca and encounters the notorious gambler Lando Calrissian in a journey that will set the course of one of the Star Wars saga’s most unlikely heroes.”