--- title: "Solo: A Star Wars Story: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/solo-a-star-wars-story/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/solo-a-star-wars-story" critics_score: 64 critics_reviews: 20 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018): what the critics said Critics' score 64 from 20 reviews: 10 positive, 7 mixed, 3 negative. Most critics find Solo a brisk, likeable heist adventure and a relief after a troubled production. The praise clusters on the cast: Alden Ehrenreich is widely judged a good fit for young Han, Donald Glover’s Lando is singled out again and again, and the early friendship between Han and Chewbacca is the relationship reviewers warm to most. Ron Howard’s direction is credited with keeping the pace up, and several reviews thank the Kasdans’ script for the speed. The reservations are about ambition. Many reviews call it safe, predictable and heavy on fan service, with little new to say about Han and not much sense that anything is at stake. The spread is wide. The Guardian and Empire rate it among the more enjoyable entries in the series, while The New Yorker dismisses it as a reverent, morally flat rehash and the Los Angeles Times finds it fast but low on energy and consequence. Half the reviews are positive; most of the rest are lukewarm rather than hostile. ## The Guardian — Peter Bradshaw Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 15 May 2018. The critic calls it a crackingly enjoyable adventure that deserves full episode status in the franchise. Ron Howard was born to direct it, with praise for the ensemble cast and the origin story of the Han-Chewie bromance. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2018/may/15/solo-a-star-wars-story-review-han-solo-origins-film-is-boistrous-bromance) ## IndieWire — Kate Erbland Rating B+. 15 May 2018. Ron Howard delivers an energetic prequel that successfully hits the expected origin beats while standing alone as an entertaining adventure, capturing the humor and pace fans expect from Star Wars. [Read the review](https://www.indiewire.com/features/general/solo-a-star-wars-story-review-ron-howard-prequel-alden-ehrenreich-1201964309/) ## Empire — Dan Jolin Rating 4/5. 15 May 2018. The film is a slick, swift-footed heist adventure that benefits greatly from Alden Ehrenreich's charismatic central performance as young Han Solo. It offers plenty of fun and surprises despite its frantic pacing and lighter emotional depth compared to other Star Wars entries. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/solo-star-wars-story-review/) ## Radio Times — Alan Jones Rating 4/5. 16 May 2018. The critic finds it a fully engaging and propulsive space western that launches at lightspeed for a satisfying ride despite safe choices. Ehrenreich fits the role perfectly and supporting performances including the Han-Chewie bromance stand out. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/solo-a-star-wars-story-review-a-completely-satisfying-mega-thrills-and-uber-spills-ride/) ## The i Paper — Matthew Turner Rating ★★★★. 23 May 2018. Alden Ehrenreich perfectly captures the spirit of a young Harrison Ford in this thrilling standalone adventure with strong supporting turns, especially from Donald Glover and Phoebe Waller-Bridge. It combines epic action, colourful characters and delightful performances into a welcome addition to the franchise. [Read the review](https://inews.co.uk/culture/film/solo-star-wars-story-review-157354) ## Total Film Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 15 May 2018. The film is far better than expected, delivering thrilling set-pieces, spine-tingling iconography and a strong Han/Chewie bromance. It is the most fun Star Wars entry since A New Hope, packed with crowd-pleasing moments and Easter eggs while feeling like its own caper within the larger universe. [Read the review](https://www.gamesradar.com/solo-a-star-wars-story-review/) ## Screen Daily Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 15 May 2018. Festival review. The critic sees it as a fun if lightweight space Western with an equal-rights subtext. Action set-pieces and linking moments to the saga work well while Ehrenreich and Glover provide roguish charm and charisma. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/solo-a-star-wars-story-review/5129270.article) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Michael Rechtshaffen Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 15 May 2018. The film is a solid but unexceptional origins story that benefits from strong performances, especially Alden Ehrenreich's charismatic take on young Han Solo, though it never fully takes off with the expected energy or surprises. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/solo-a-star-wars-story-review-1111495/) ## Variety — Andrew Barker Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 15 May 2018. Festival review. Despite behind-the-scenes turmoil, the film succeeds as a kinetic space heist with strong turns from Alden Ehrenreich and especially Donald Glover, plus well-crafted action sequences, though hampered by a slow start and excessive fan service. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2018/film/reviews/solo-a-star-wars-story-review-alden-ehrenreich-1202811559/) ## The Times Rating ★★★. 26 May 2018. It is a fun but lightweight trip through the Star Wars backstory, fast-moving thanks to the Kasdan script, but ultimately disappointing in its portrayal of Solo himself. [Read the review](https://www.thetimes.com/culture/article/film-review-solo-a-star-wars-story-hzxmm0tjw) ## Time Out — Phil de Semlyen Rating 3/5. 16 May 2018. The critic calls it a frisky space caper that zips along far better than expected after production troubles. Ehrenreich makes a solid but not perfect fist of the role amid enjoyable supporting turns. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/solo-a-star-wars-story) ## Vulture Fi1m's normalised score 60/100 (inferred from the text). 15 May 2018. The film is smoothly directed and written but ultimately fails to fully capture or account for the essence of its iconic lead character despite solid performances and execution of plot points. [Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/2018/05/solo-a-star-wars-story-review.html) ## Sight and Sound — Michael Leader Fi1m's normalised score 50/100 (inferred from the text). 26 May 2018. The critic describes the film as a rote but proficient space rollick that fulfills franchise duties without much originality. Howard's zippy direction delivers pure entertainment in a narrative colouring-in exercise. [Read the review](https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/reviews/solo-star-wars-story-review-how-young-rebel-fulfilled-his-franchise-dues) ## Slant Magazine Rating ★½. 15 May 2018. The film is a predictable and overly familiar installment that feels like a safe, corporate exercise despite some entertaining moments and solid performances from the cast. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/solo-a-star-wars-story/) ## Los Angeles Times — Justin Chang Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 15 May 2018. Festival review. The movie is a high-speed but low-energy intergalactic heist with little sense of consequence or directorial flair, though Alden Ehrenreich delivers a versatile and engaging performance that stands out amid the film's muddled execution. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-solo-star-wars-story-review-20180515-story.html) ## The New Yorker — Richard Brody Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 25 May 2018. The critic finds the film a bland, reverent rehash of classic Hollywood tropes without moral complexity, praising the production design but criticizing Ron Howard's foursquare direction and the franchise's reduction of storytelling to bright verities. [Read the review](https://www.newyorker.com/culture/richard-brody/wookiee-nights-solo-a-star-wars-story-reviewed) ## Deadline — Pete Hammond Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 24 May 2018. The film delivers rip-roaring summer entertainment as a cowboy space opera with a smart script from the Kasdans. Howard's direction keeps it on track with ample action scenes, though more character development would be welcome. [Read the review](https://deadline.com/2018/05/solo-star-wars-story-review-alden-ehrenreich-donald-glover-ron-howard-lucasfilm-disney-1202397776/) ## The Ringer — Sean Fennessey Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). 25 May 2018. The film is a completely fine, competent Ron Howard movie with some charms but lacks the special, elevated quality that defines even lesser Star Wars entries. It feels more like a standard heist adventure than a true Star Wars story, with strong supporting turns from Donald Glover and others. [Read the review](https://www.theringer.com/2018/05/25/star-wars/solo-star-wars-review-han-lando-donald-glover-alden-ehrenreich-ron-howard) ## Den of Geek — Ryan Lambie Rating 3/5. 24 May 2018. The critic finds it a fun but merely passable Star Wars movie that slips through production turmoil with efficiency and charm. Ehrenreich makes for a rock-solid young Han with good chemistry among the cast, but the film lacks genuine surprises or a clear arc for its already-formed hero. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/solo-a-star-wars-story-review-2/) ## The Wrap Fi1m's normalised score 50/100 (inferred from the text). 23 May 2018. The review finds it a so-so prequel that offers little new insight into the characters beyond fan service. Performances by Ehrenreich and Glover stand out, but the action is routine and the plotting feels like filler. [Read the review](https://www.thewrap.com/solo-a-star-wars-story-film-review-alden-ehrenreich-donald-glover/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/solo-a-star-wars-story.md