6.6 | / 10 |
Users | 4.2 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
During an adventure into a dark criminal underworld, Han Solo meets his future copilot Chewbacca and encounters Lando Calrissian years before joining the Rebellion.
Starring: Alden Ehrenreich, Joonas Suotamo, Woody Harrelson, Emilia Clarke, Donald GloverAdventure | 100% |
Action | 92% |
Sci-Fi | 80% |
Fantasy | 69% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.39:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1
French: Dolby Digital 5.1
English SDH, French, Spanish
Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (2 BDs)
Digital copy
Slipcover in original pressing
Region free
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 3.5 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 3.5 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Solo: A Star Wars Story was besieged by production problems, notably the firing of Directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, who had previously co-helmed the terrific The LEGO Movie and who reportedly came to odds with Lucasfilm over this film's direction and tone. The Internet is filled with the story and reaction to it, so there’s no need to rehash the specifics here. Solo was ultimately turned over to Ron Howard (Apollo 13, The Da Vinci Code) who not only managed to salvage the movie but craft a cool and thrilling jaunt through some fringe corners of the Star Wars universe while exploring some -- certainly not all -- of the title character's lore, lore previously established in other Star Wars films, some created herein, and a couple of strings that come as very welcome surprises. Fun, fresh, and a nice blend of the expected and the unexpected, Solo is a success that deserved better at the box office and definitely deserves, and needs, a sequel.
Solo: A Star Wars Story isn't the prettiest movie to ever grace Blu-ray. It was digitally shot and is flat, predominately very bleak, and often without significant color punch beyond some of Lando's more colorfully intense capes and furnishings on board the Falcon. In these instances, the palette pleases, presenting colors boldly, and the contrast of the clean white surfaces (not Corvette interior blinding white but very clean and "new" as opposed to the dingy Falcon interior fans know and love) is often enough to help break up the movie's otherwise dull color palette. The opening sequence on Corellia is particularly bleak, beginning with a blue-dominant backdrop and pale, washed out blacks, the latter of which dog the transfer throughout. Even brighter, more forgiving locations -- Vos' yacht -- lack significant color delights in favor of more a monochromatic presentation. Textures are decent across the board, never struggling to meet the movie's modest demands and showcasing wear on droids, precise clothing details, complex environments, and essential facial features with commendable intricacy, but there's little here that really opens up and explores any of the movie's nitty-gritty details. There are a few smudgy edges throughout the film, notably in Dryden Vos' office at the 50:20 mark. Noise is also a little more prominent than one would expect of a high end production, even in better light. The movie appears fairly accurate to its source and artistic style, but it's not a dazzling reference presentation by any means and is drastically hindered by those elevated blacks.
Solo: A Star Wars Story features a DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 lossless soundtrack, whereas the UHD features a Dolby Atmos presentation. As with most other recent Disney releases, this one plays with less-than-ideal volume at usual listening levels, but most of the issues are alleviated by cranking the volume up a few decibels (from -12.5 to -5.0 on this reviewer's system). Dripping water and reverberation fill Lady Proxima's chamber with precise surround usage. The high speed chase to follow is filled with cool sonic maneuvers and a barrage of Star Wars sound effects that zoom all over the stage. The battle three years later, where Solo meets Beckett, is another highlight moment of laser blasts, explosions, and battlefield chaos din enveloping the listener, including some agreeable low end engagement. Surrounds carry beastly growls in chapter 10 and the scene when Solo meets Chewie is filled with positive pounding and crashing effects. Every action scene is a delight and the same holds true with every one: active surrounds, a wide front end, precision clarity, and some good bass. The latter isn't quite as dominant as it should be in most scenes, but the sheer walls of sound and absolute clarity certainly help. Music follows, enjoying supreme clarity and perfect stage placement. Dialogue is clear and detailed with firm front-center positioning, though there are a few moments during high intensity action where the spoken word isn't perfectly prioritized over competing elements, getting a little lost in music and action din.
Solo: A Star Wars Story contains all of its supplemental content on a dedicated second Blu-ray disc. A Movies Anywhere digital copy code is
included with purchase. The release ships with an embossed slipcover.
There are a few takeaways from Solo: A Star Wars Story. First, it's a rousing, good-time film. Second, it's very well done from top to bottom, and that the film was plagued by production problems and switched out directors midstream isn't at all apparent in the end product. Third, there's got to be a sequel. The film doesn't go the Rogue One route, ending right where one would expect. There's ample room to continue with Han's story before meeting Luke and Obi-Wan in that Tattooine Cantina, and the film's surprise revelation and character twist beg for more exploration in either a direct Solo sequel or another universe film. Maybe Disney is over-saturating the market a bit, or maybe the release date proximity to The Last Jedi (not to mention the sharp divide responses to that movie) dampened enthusiasm, but whatever the reason for Solo's poor performance the product on the screen isn't it. Disney's Blu-ray release of Solo: A Star Wars Story is solid, though a bit unspectacular. Video is sometimes troublesome, never striking, but seemingly fairly faithful to Howard's and Cinematographer Bradford Young's bleak visuals (Young recently shot another dreary film, Arrival). Audio is strong once the volume is adjusted upward and the release is crammed with extra content. Highly recommended.
Ultimate Collector's Edition
2018
2018
40 Page Gallery Book + Exclusive Bonus
2018
2018
2018
with Millenium Falcon figure
2018
with Millenium Falcon figure
2018
2018
Ultimate Collector's Edition
2018
2017
1980
2019
2002
Collector's Edition
2023
Season Six
2014
2016
1999
2005
1977
2015
Ultimate Collector's Edition
2009
2017
2019
2017
2018
2020
1983
Cinematic Universe Edition
2018
2014