Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018/LucasFilm/Disney 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray w/Blu-ray)

4K Ultra HD Picture: A 1080p HD Picture: B+ Sound: A/A- Extras: B Film: A

The second standalone Star Wars film, Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018) is the Star Wars film that fans didn't know they wanted. Being one the harshest critical fanbases in movie history, the film had some trouble during production and ultimately didn't make the money at the box office as was hoped. Now, the future of the spinoff Star Wars stories are in question. It was rumored that this would be the first part in a rumored trilogy (which I would be all about) but that is now uncertain as it didn't make numbers as high as previous installments. Still, it did gross more than its budget so its as of this writing uncertain what LucasFilm plans to do next after Episode 9 in 2019.

Part of its unsuccessful run was timing. It was released in the packed month of May and released while us nerds were still soaking up Deadpool 2 and The Avengers: Infinity War and the other part was with fans who decided to boycott the film after The Last Jedi failed to impress them or other lame reasons. The truth of the matter is that Solo is an incredibly fun genre film directed by Ron Howard (who also directed LucasFilm's Willow) and is a worthy entry in the franchise that reimagines original trilogy characters as a bit younger and answers some questions fans have always wondered about a few of their favorite characters.

How did Han first meet Chewbacca? What about Lando (played by Donald Glover)? How did Han become captain of the Millennium Falcon and make the Kessel run? These are questions we Star Wars fans have always wondered and now have an answer to.

Portrayed by Alden Ehrenreich instead of a CGI-ed young Harrison Ford, the character is portrayed as a young smuggler trying to find his way in a war torn galaxy. He loses his first love Qi'ra (played by the beautiful Emilia Clarke of Game of Thrones fame), joins the Empire as a means to survive, and unexpectedly meets a mentor in Tobias Beckett (Woody Harrelson) and a best friend in the wookiee Chewbacca (Joonas Suotamo). The film also features characters played by Jon Faverau, Thandie Newton, Paul Bettany, Warwick Davis, Clint Howard, and a very special cameo appearance by a Star Wars fan favorite villain.

This is the second Star Wars film to be released on the 4K UHD format and much like The Last Jedi, is an impressive presentation to say the least. Presented in 2160p HEVC/H.265, HDR (10; Ultra HD Premium)-enhanced Ultra High Definition image and a 2.40:1 widescreen aspect ratio. As for the audio, the film has several mixes to choose from on this disc including English 7.1.4 Dolby Atmos lossless mix, English 2.0 Descriptive Audio, Thai 5.1 Dolby Digital, Spanish and French 7.1 Dolby Digital Plus.

In terms of the film's score, this time Harry Gregson Williams takes the spot and crafts a beautiful score that should be purchased and listened to on its own. Using a theme by John Williams, the score blends in well with other soundtracks in the series.

Also included is a 1080p Blu-ray disc with DTS-HD MA (Master Audio) 7.1 lossless sound at its best and video specs. The detail is clearly stronger in the 4K UHD disc when you compare the two editions with more detail on the film's intricate visual effects and characters. I can't until Disney releases The Force Awakens and Rogue One onto the 4K UHD format as the upscale is certainly welcome for these highly imaginative films.

A digital copy is also included.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

Solo: The Director & Cast Roundtable - Sit down with director Ron Howard and the stars for an intimate and entertaining discussion of the film's making.

Team Chewie - See what it takes to bring your favorite Wookiee to life in this lighthearted look behind the scenes.

Kasdan on Kasdan - Iconic Star Wars screenwriter Lawrence Kasdan and son Jonathan share what it was like to write the movie's script together.

Remaking the Millennium Falcon - Track the transformation of the most famous ship in the galaxy, from Lando's swank and impeccable pride and joy to Han's stripped-down hot-rod freighter with 'special modifications.'

Escape from Corellia - Get behind the wheel for the making of this high-octane chase through the streets of Corellia.

The Train Heist - Explore the challenges and thrills of creating this action-packed sequence, including its remote location and spectacular effects.

Becoming a Droid: L3-37 - Meet the newest droid... and the talented actor who helps bring her to life.

Scoundrels, Droids, Creatures and Cards: Welcome to Fort Ypso - Take an in-depth tour of the rough-and-tumble bar where strangers mix and gamblers risk all in the legendary card game, Sabaac.

Into the Maelstrom: The Kessel Run - Join Han and Chewie at the controls of the Millennium Falcon to see how this legendary moment in Star Wars history unfolds.

Deleted Scenes:

Proxima's Den

Corellian Foot Chase

Han Solo: Imperial Cadet

The Battle of Mimban: Extended

Han Versus Chewie: Extended

Snowball Fight!

Meet Dryden: Extended

Coaxium Double-Cross

The Millennium Falcon: From Page to Park - An exclusive look at the history of the most famous ship in the galaxy, its origin and development, and how it will translate in one of the most anticipated expansions in Disneyland's history.

While it's not quite as awesome as Rogue One, Solo is a fresh story for the franchise and gives me hope that they will continue it in a further installment. Hopefully now that it's on video it will find the larger audience that it deserved in cinemas early in the summer. As a fan, I truly hope they decide to continue this storyline even if young Han makes a cameo in another standalone Star Wars story. There are plenty of seeds planted in the film that could pay off later to fan acclaim if they just continue the story set up here, which was written by Star Wars screenwriter Lawrence Kasdan and his son.

- James Lockhart

https://www.facebook.com/jamesharlandlockhartv/