Before going ‘Solo,’ blast to the past
It’s time to visit a galaxy far, far away. Again. ❚ Although it seems as if no time at all has passed since we hung out with Rey (Daisy Ridley) and Finn (John Boyega) in Star Wars: The Last Jedi in December, we already have another Star Wars movie in theaters this weekend — Solo: A Star Wars Story. The film is a prequel about Han Solo (Alden Ehrenreich) before he meets Luke (Mark Hamill) and Leia (Carrie Fisher) in the first movie in the canon, A New Hope. ❚ If you want to catch up on the Star Wars universe before heading out to see Solo, we’ve got a plan for you, whether you’ve never seen a Star Wars film or want to relive the series’ greatest moments.
If you’ve never seen a Star Wars movie Star Wars: Episode IV — A New Hope
If you managed to miss the phenomenon, I’m impressed. If you have never seen Star Wars before, it’s best to begin with the 1977 film that started it all. You’ll meet Han (Harrison Ford) and the other players, get a feel for the tone of the franchise and get enough info to see Solo without being lost in the stars. ❚ Available to buy on Amazon, Google Play, iTunes, Vudu or YouTube.
If you want to know what the “A Star Wars Story” thing means Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
So what’s the deal with the “A Star Wars Story” movies? They’re the films that don’t fit into the “Skywalker Saga,” aka all the films that have at least one Skywalker in them, including the original trilogy, the prequels, The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi.
The other films are spinoffs, stories
that take place in a galaxy far, far away but won’t affect Rey or Kylo Ren (Adam Driver). Rogue One was the first, and it also is a prequel that explains how the rebels stole the plans to the Death Star, a major plot point in A New Hope.
❚ Stream it on Netflix.
If you have time to watch only one Star Wars: Episode V — The Empire Strikes Back
The best Star Wars film in the minds of many fans, including this one, Empire is the distillation of both the franchise and Han if you have only two hours to spare. The Empire Strikes Back also showcases the first appearance of Lando Calrissian (Billy Dee Williams), with Donald Glover in the role to steal the show in Solo.
❚ Available to buy on Amazon, Google Play, iTunes, Vudu or YouTube.
If you want to get happy Star Wars: Episode VI — Return of the Jedi
The final movie in the original trilogy is what fans thought would be the big happy ending to the entire story, at least before the franchise was revived in 1999. Return of the Jedi is not the best Star Wars movie, but it is the most joyous, from the teddy-bear-like Ewoks to the final celebration when the Empire is defeated.
❚ Available to buy on Amazon, Google Play, iTunes, Vudu or YouTube.
If you want to get sad Star Wars: The Force Awakens
So we all know what happens to Han in The Force Awakens, right?
If you want to see both the end and the beginning of Han’s journey, you can check out the 2015 film, then go see Solo.
The Force Awakens also is a great movie all on its own, introducing the next generation of stars.
❚ Available to rent or buy on Amazon, Google Play, iTunes, Vudu or YouTube.