Entertaining as hell but not particularly deep

We know epic adventures and memorable triumphs and lifelong bonds and in some cases Shakespearean tragedy await some of the main characters in Solo: A Star Wars Story.

We know where destiny will take them. We know, before they know.

This is part of what makes Solo: A Star Wars Story so much fun. Every time a character says something that hints at a future catchphrase; every time there’s a reference to an as- yetunseen planet or a character who will show up later in the timeline; every time we get a glimpse of an iconic piece of equipment; every time there’s an initial meeting between characters who will share a lifelong connection — we smile and nod and maybe even clap a little, because we know exactly how it’s all going to play out.

The Solo story ( superbly directed by the veteran Ron Howard, who took over after the original co- directors were fired over the time- honoured “creative differences”) takes place a decade before the events of Star Wars: Episode IV — A New Hope, which would put Han Solo’s age right around 20.

Alden Ehrenreich ( Blue Jasmine, Hail, Caesar!) is quite a bit smaller than Harrison Ford, and he doesn’t bear much of a facial resemblance to the man who made Solo a legend, but Ehrenreich delivers a winning performance and does a fantastic job of foreshadowing certain characteristics and tendencies of Ford- as- Han, without delving into impersonation.

Young Han is a cocky, independent wiseass specialising in small- time thievery and smuggling — and getting into big- time trouble. He’s quick and smart and reckless and oh so green. ( So green he doesn’t even have a last name at the outset of this story. How he comes to be called “Han Solo” is a plot treat I won’t spoil for you.) Han might one day become a great pilot, if he doesn’t get himself killed first.

Three years after having narrowly escaped arrest on his home planet of Corellia

( called a “sewer” by one character, and we can see why), Han is still trying to cobble together the funds to buy his own ship so he can return and h o p e f u l ly r e s c u e Q i ’ r a ( E m i l i a Clarke ) , his girlfriend and partner in adventure.

Han’s first meeting with Chewbacca starts with the big ol’ Wookiee nearly killing him, and quickly progresses from alliance to true friendship. ( Upon learning the big guy’s name, Han notes he’s going to have to come up with a nickname because he’s not going to say

“Chewbacca” every time.)

Spotting an opportunity to make that elusive big score, Han talks his way into a team of rogue criminals ( with Chewie part of the deal). Woody Harrelson is the legendary career criminal Tobias Beckett, a charming and duplicitous sort who warns Han to never trust anyone, ever. Thandie Newton is Beckett’s partner in crime and life, Val. Jon Favreau voices the multi- limbed Ardennian pilot Rio Durant, who takes an instant liking to Han.

Han’s former girlfriend Qi’ra resurfaces and joins the team, but her story is complicated and her loyalties are divided.

Everyone in the ensemble is terrific, but the show- stopping, effortlessly scene- stealing performance of the movie comes from Donald Glover as the charming, suave, sneaky- smart gambler and pilot Lando Calrissian. Remember what I said about Ehrenreich not really resembling or imi t a t i n g H a r r i s o n Ford, and yet doing such a great job? The same applies to G l o v e r ’ s i n t e r p - retation of a younger L a n d o , who doesn’t exactly b e c o m e f a s t friends with Han but perhaps sees a little of himself in this arrogant upandcomer. Ehrenreich and Glover click, whether they’re facing off as rivals in a high- stakes card game, or having each other’s back when guns are blazing and bombs are exploding.

( I also loved Phoebe Waller- Bridge’s voice performance as L3- 37, a brave and funny feminist droid who is Lando’s co- pilot and best friend.)

Solo of course has a number of massive, rapid- fire CGI action sequences, sometimes accompanied by snippets of the famous Star Wars theme. ( There were moments in the two- hour, 15- minute adventure when I could have gone for more quipping and fewer explosions.)

The real treasures, though, are all those pre- iconic moments, all those launching points for beautiful friendships and future conflicts. In some ways this is one of the “lighter” of the Star Wars adventures, as we know beyond any doubt Han, Lando and Chewie will live to fight another day. ( Not that there aren’t moments of loss and sorrow and betrayal.)

This is a prequel as a space Western summer movie, entertaining as hell but not particularly deep. Solo takes place in rough and tumultuous times, but there’s very little philosophising, no talk of the Force or what it means to be a true Jedi.

Even if there weren’t all those great Star Wars movies in our past ( aka the futures of these characters), based on this adventure alone, I’d be excited to know what’s next for Han Solo.

By arrangement with Asia Features