‘Solo’ full of missed opportunities

In the wake of last winter’s critically divisive “The Last Jedi,” the Star Wars juggernaut released its second standalone film in just six months; this time an origin story of the franchise’s most beloved scoundrel, Han Solo.

A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, there was a young man with no regard for conformity. Roguish and handsome, he only wanted adventure, fame and fortune.

Han Solo (Alden Ehrenreich) joins a band of thieves led by Beckett (the unfortunately miscast Woody Harrelson) and attempts a heist of a highly volatile, incredulously expensive hyperfuel source to get in the good graces of gangster Dryden Vos (Paul Bettany).

Along the way, he meddles in flirtation with his childhood sweetheart, Qi’Ra (Emilia Clarke), meets a Wookie, and we finally get answers to the most pressing questions: How did he get his name? How did he meet Lando? And how exactly did he manage the Kessel Run in only 12 parsecs?

Leaving the theater after watching “Solo” felt like eating a bowl of vanilla ice cream at a toppings bar. There was so much opportunity and so many options, but they (Disney, Marvel, writers, producers) chose the safe path with very little flavor. Don’t get me wrong: I love ice cream, and even vanilla is good, but when you have the chance to add sprinkles or syrup, you have to do it.

Alden Ehrenreich was my young actor to watch three years ago when he stole the show in the Coen Brothers’ “Hail, Ceasar!” I wasn’t sold at first when his casting was announced because, let’s be honest, this is a monumentally epic role. The physical resemblance isn’t quite there, and the voice leaves me a little uncertain, but the smirk. The smirk works. Ehrenreich pulls off the swagger and blasé attitude that Harrison Ford made so memorable all those years ago. It takes a little warming up, but by the end you can embrace the new incarnation of Han Solo.

Donald Glover, Emilia Clarke and Woody Harrelson receive mixed reviews. Acting is solid all around, but I wanted to know more about Clarke’s character, and I never bought Harrelson as a “Star Wars” guy. Donald Glover had some big shoes to fill. Not nearly as big as Ehrenreich, but he’s the character that drives the curiosity of the film. I have to admit, I didn’t really care much about any of the others, and I spoiled the ending because I already watched the next six movies over the past 40 years.

Ron Howard boarded the project to direct last fall after the departure of “The Lego Movie” duo of Phil Lord and Christopher Miller. It was due to creative differences, and I can only imagine that Lord/Miller wanted a bit more of a storyline. Ron Howard is fine, but this isn’t his wheelhouse. I like how they are enlisting a variety of directors for their projects, but they could have done better. Someone more edgy and less established would have made this a stronger performance.

Those who are seeking a continuation of the franchise will detect a slight odor of nostalgia, but mostly you’ll miss the days of old. Disney is on the cusp of oversaturating the Star Wars universe with 2019’s “Episode IX,” and the recently announced Boba Fett origins story, in addition to the rumored projects (Obi-Wan Kenobi, Yoda). I will leave you with this thought: Can you have too much of a good thing? Disney and Marvel say absolutely not. You might enjoy the film, but the luster of the franchise is definitely wearing off.