There is a Solo: A Star Wars Story review embargo in effect until May 15, at 2PM PST, but that doesn’t prevent quick takes on Twitter from those that saw the film at the May 10 premiere, as we see in these Solo: A Star Wars Story Premiere Reactions.
Due to issues in production and rumors over the last couple years, there were two major fears. One was that the movie would be a giant disaster and wouldn’t even feel like a Star Wars film. The second was that Alden Ehrenreich would be a poor excuse for a Han Solo. Fortunately, the reactions on Twitter put both of those fears to rest. Overall, viewers thought the movie was great (although perhaps a bit rough in the first act), that it felt like Star Wars, and that Alden Ehrenreich and the whole cast nailed it.
Here are some of the Solo: A Star Wars Story Premiere Reactions.
Ben Mekler, from the Nerdist, thought Solo was energetic and fresh, and that the “cast crushed it.”
Thrilled to say #SoloAStarWarsStory WORKS. Cast crushed it – true to what we know yet energetic, fresh. Only subpar thing – at least forty minutes wasted on scenes where characters wolf down raw vidalia onions? Third act drags too. Still, this is a REAL Star Wars movie – loved it
— ben mekler (@benmekler) May 11, 2018
The Editor-in-Chief of Rotten Tomatoes, Joel Meares, thought it was “kinda a blast” and that “Alden Ehrenreich has swagger.”
Wow. Just come out of #SoloAStarWarsStory and can confirm it’s kinda a blast. @donaldglover was as perfect as expected, but Alden Ehrenreich has swagger to match, and spare.
— Joel Meares (@joelmeares) May 11, 2018
Kevin Polowy, senior correspondent for Yahoo Entertainment, thought it was “reaaaaalllly good” and “fun as hell.”
#SoloAStarWarsStory is reaaaaalllly good. Fun as hell. It’s a straight intergalactic heist movie, kind of refreshing to see a Star Wars movie w/o a Death Star or the rebellion’s fate at stake. Alden Ehrenreich is super impressive as Han, but L3 might be my favorite new character.
— Kevin Polowy (@djkevlar) May 11, 2018
Joseph Schmidt from ComicBook.com said it was full of surprises and “was a TON of fun.”
Wow. #SoloAStarWarsStory was a TON of fun. Felt more like a Star Wars movie than Rogue One. Don’t look up spoilers! It’s full of surprises.
— JK Schmidt (@woeisjoe) May 11, 2018
Brian Tong went so far as to say that Solo: A Star Wars Story is a better movie than Avengers: Infinity War.
WOW! #SoloAStarWarsStory! I felt like I was watching a @StarWars movie again. So many great moments for the fans AND surprises.. I’ve got the feels after this one…MORE than #InfinityWar.
— Brian Tong (@briantong) May 11, 2018
Infinity War was a spectacle and amazing movie. You know how much I love the MCU. But I’m saying it. #SoloAStarWarsStory was a better MOVIE.
— Brian Tong (@briantong) May 11, 2018
Angie J. Han, deputy entertainment editor at Mashable and former editor at Slashfilm proclaims that “Alden Ehrenreich is the real deal.”
Alden Ehrenreich is the real deal, Thandie Newton is who I want to be when I grow up, and Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s L3… well we’ll talk about that later. 😃 #SoloAStarWarsStory
— Angie J. Han (@ajhan) May 11, 2018
The reaction from Kate Erbland, film editor at IndieWire, was a bit mixed, but thought that after it finds its feet and kicks in “it totally flies.”
#SoloAStarWarsStory: It takes a bit for it to find its feet and for AE to turn on enough charm to make you forget he’s not HF. But once it kicks into its hey-let’s-make-a-crew and yes-also-do-a-heist stuff, it totally flies.
— Kate Erbland (@katerbland) May 11, 2018
Clayton Sandell, from ABC news, said that he loved it and warned to watch out for spoilers before you get a chance to see it.
Boom. #SoloAStarWarsStory Loved it. Stay off the internet! Avoid spoilers! Great job @RealRonHoward and cast!
— Clayton Sandell (@Clayton_Sandell) May 11, 2018
Jim Vejvoda from IGN Movies says that he “was pleasantly surprised.”
#Solo is afun! I was pleasantly surprised that it worked as well as it did given all the behind the scenes drama & retooling. Charming cast, fun action, good jokes, good fan service but still does its own thing. #StarWars will be fine.
— Jim Vejvoda (@JimVejvoda) May 11, 2018
Mashable editor Chris Taylor was very happy that it was good. “It’s sooo good.”
This is the grungiest, most grunt-level blue collar #StarWars ever and I am here for it. #Solo
— Chris Taylor (@FutureBoy) May 11, 2018
Jacki Jing from IGN was “completely floored.”
Got out of #SoloAStarWarsStory and I’m completely floored. This movie seriously holds up! I was on the edge of my seat and had so much fun watching it! Interviewing the stars of the film tomorrow, cannot wait ❣️ pic.twitter.com/7GAr6h2c8q
— Jacki Jing (@JackiJing) May 11, 2018
I’m not sure if Mark Hamill’s opinion is unbiased, but he says that he “can’t wait to see it AGAIN.”
NO SPOILERS until everyone's seen it, but I can't wait to see it AGAIN. 👍#SoHighFromSolo pic.twitter.com/LTqDAKIHVF
— Mark Hamill (@HamillHimself) May 11, 2018
Also from IGN, Tom Jorgensen though Solo was “a ton of fun!” He also praised performances of Alden Ehrenreich and Donald Glover as Han Solo and Lando Calrissian.
#Solo is a ton of fun! Alden Ehrenreich is full of charm and definitely does right by Harrison Ford. Not to mention Donald Glover, who's equally great as Lando.
Don't let the drama and rumors fool you, this is a seriously fun, exciting addition to the Star Wars universe!
— Tom Jorgensen (@Tom_Jorgensen) May 11, 2018
The Director of Video Operations at Collider Video, Dennis Tzeng, wasn’t thrilled. He thought it was mostly fun, but the story was too predictable.
#SoloAStarWarsStory was a mostly fun adventure and solid performances but with a predictable story. Never will be one of my favorite #StarWars movies but I enjoyed enough of it.
— Dennis Tzeng (@ThinkHero) May 11, 2018
Kara Warner from People Magazine was must more excited. She enthused that it was “a friggin TREAT” and that it was “so much fun.”
Ooo @StarWars fans you are in for a friggin TREAT w/ #Solo. Killer cast. A great adventure. So much fun. #hansolo
— Kara Warner (@karawarner) May 11, 2018
Michelle Buchman from Nerdist praised it for being charming and funny, and she declared it her new favorite Star Wars movie.
I loved #SoloAStarWarsStory so much. It’s a western. A caper. Funny with so much heart. It’s got so much surprises that fans are going to love. Donald Glover is charming x1000. Alden Ehrenreich is a great #HanSolo and just know I’ve been saying this for years! Fave new #StarWars.
— Michelle Buchman (@michelledeidre) May 11, 2018
Senior Entertainment Writer for Uproxx, Mike Ryan, though it was hit or miss. However, he was impressed with Donald Glover’s performance and thought that once “the Kessel Run heist plot kicks in, it’s a whole lot of fun.”
It does take a bit to get used to Alden as Han, but after 30 minutes or so your brain adjusts. (Also I've now finally seen Clint Howard in a Star Wars movie.) #soloastarwarsstory
— Mike Ryan (@mikeryan) May 11, 2018
Perri Nemiroff from Collider wasn’t thrilled. She “Was really hoping for higher stakes, more energy and depth.”
There’s some fun to be had with #SoloAStarWarsStory. Ehrenreich was solid and really enjoyed Glover and Waller-Bridge as L3, but not convinced we needed a young Han Solo movie. Was really hoping for higher stakes, more energy and depth.
— Perri Nemiroff (@PNemiroff) May 11, 2018
Umberto Gonzalez, Film Reporter for TheWrap, said “the movie is an absolute blast to hyperspace!”
ALDEN EHRENREREICH IS HAN SOLO! The movie is an absolute blast to hyperspace! #SoloPremiere #SoloAStarWarsStory #Solomovie
— Umberto Gonzalez (@elmayimbe) May 11, 2018
Editor-in-Chief of Collider.com, Steven Weintraub, noted that if Disney was willing to show the film weeks before release, it most likely isn’t any where as bad as the rumors would have you believe. After seeing it he declared that the “film is a blast and a welcome addition to the Star Wars universe.”
I figured if @DisneyStudios was willing to show 'Solo: A Star Wars Story' a few weeks before release it must be good and it absolutely is. Film is a blast and a welcome addition to the Star Wars universe. @RealRonHoward you did a great job. Congrats. pic.twitter.com/1pkWH2y6qE
— Steven Weintraub (@colliderfrosty) May 11, 2018
Jesse B. Gill, Senior News Producer for Nerdist, called it “rock solid.”
#Solo was fantastic. Rock solid, straight-down-the-middle #StarWars movie. If you’re looking for a palette cleanser after #TheLastJedi, this is it!! pic.twitter.com/2Qjbk4UWcQ
— Jesse B. Gill (@jessebgill) May 11, 2018
Amy Ratcliffe, Managing Editor at Nerdist, called it “an absolute delight of a romp with heart, charm, and action.”
#Solo was an absolute delight of a romp with heart, charm, and action. Donald Glover is as Lando as can be, and L3-37 is the BEST. I can't wait to see it again.
— Amy Ratcliffe (@amy_geek) May 11, 2018
Wendy Lee Szany from The Movie Couple, wasn’t thrilled. While there were some “great action sequences” some of the moments “were a bit too on the nose.”
Solo: A Star Wars Story has a light tone and has some great action sequences. There were great moments but some were a bit too on the nose for me. The Chewie/Han bromance is the thing to watch for.
— Wendy Lee Szany (@WendyLeeSzany) May 11, 2018
Kristopher Tapley from Variety says that Solo: A Star Wars story has “lots of great action.”
Solo is straight-up overflowing with winks, but lots of great action. And just when I was thinking, “There’s no way to spoil this movie,” well — enjoy that bit.
— Kristopher Tapley (@kristapley) May 11, 2018
Germain Lussier Entertainment Reporter for Gizmodo and io9, declares the film “a goddamn delight.”
Solo: A Star Wars Story is a goddamn delight. It’s a non-stop adventure packed with way more emotion than your expecting. You’ll have a smile on your face the whole time and leave eager for more. pic.twitter.com/fOsF7Tr95L
— Germain Lussier (@GermainLussier) May 11, 2018
Terri Schwartz, Editorial Manager of IGN Entertainment, says that it “feels true to what makes #StarWars fun.”
I really dug #SoloAStarWarsStory! I woke up this morning questioning whether I was excited for this movie and walked out ready to see Han’s next adventure on this path. It’s a super solid movie and feels true to what makes #StarWars fun.
— Terri Schwartz (@Terri_Schwartz) May 11, 2018
Jenna Busch, Founder/EIC of LegionofLeia, calls it “a blast of an adventure.”
#SoloAStarWarsStory has a bit of a rough start, but it was a blast of of an adventure. And yes, Donald Glover steals the movie! But you already knew that. pic.twitter.com/4SGiq6tDmQ
— Jenna Busch (@JennaBusch) May 11, 2018
Simon Thompson, Film/Entertainment Journalist, was really worried about Solo: A Star Wars Story, but after seeing it “those concerns are totally laid to rest.”
So, I was REALLY worried about #SoloAStarWarsStory but those concerns are totally laid to rest. A movie for fans AND those totally fresh to the Star Wars franchise. Heart, humor and a Falcon full of top notch action. From a worry to a favorite. Very, very happy! pic.twitter.com/VhvBSDFvjE
— Simon Thompson (@ShowbizSimon) May 11, 2018
Finally, Rob Keyes, Editorial Director at ScreenRant, compliments the blaster action scenes and vehicle chases in the “most real looking film in the franchise.”
Solo: A Star Wars Story is more of what I loved about Rogue One. Most real looking film in the franchise, and the best blaster actions scenes and vehicle chases. #SoloAStarWarsStory
— Rob Keyes (@rob_keyes) May 11, 2018
If you want more about the Solo: A Star Wars Story Premiere, watch the red carpet coverage:
I was really worried about the rumors and that Alden Ehrenreich as Han Solo would ruin this movie. I’m thrilled to hear all the positive feedback on his performance and I can’t wait to see it now.