Last night my wife made a Han themed cocktail for #SoloAStarWarsStory. It's got gin, coffee liqueur, a cherry, and some other stuff. Like Han, it's bold and risky but it works. Anyway, here's a thread on the movie, why I love it, and why I think people should watch! 
I love Solo because its veins are pulsing with pulpy, old movie serial pacing and inspirations. It's a fast, fun ride that zips through the genres of sci-fi, fantasy, western, romance, Lovecraftian horror, gangster, buddy comedy, heist, and more. It's a tour of #StarWars' roots.
BUT even more than that I love its big picture themes. Everyone in the movie is longing for their freedom. Han, Chewie, Qi'ra, Beckett, droids, Wookiees, children, entire planets. Their freedom is denied by the oppression of the Empire and its complicity with vicious criminals.
Coaxium, the substance that moves the plot of the film, could be any old MacGuffin. But it's not. It's a vital strategic resource and possessing it is a means to escape the systemic poverty and crime created by the Empire's tyrannical control of people and planets.
The film also shows the mixture of brute force and propaganda the Empire and the crime syndicates it partners with use to keep people in line. A central theme is ALL of our characters questioning if basic personal freedom is even possible or an immature fantasy.
Without getting into details (trying to keep this spoiler free), I do recognize and agree with many of the criticisms of the women's arcs in the movie. I wish some different choices were made to resolve a few of the characters' stories.
That said, Qi'ra is one of my absolute favorite characters in the Star Wars canon. She is complex, competent, intelligent, sensitive, and more. Her motivations are multi-faceted. She's not a cardboard femme fatale, she's shaped by her experiences, desires, conflicts, and agency.
Of course, that's my opinion, and I recognize people might disagree! If you're interested in more Qi'ra content, I highly recommend Rae Carson's great book, Most Wanted. (Link: amazon.com/Star-Wars-Most…)
Also, I would enjoy Qi'ra's story regardless BUT I particularly enjoy it because she's a character in #StarWars. That means her story is NOT done. Whether it's more books, comics, a video game, skywriting, or ideally on screen in TV or film, I can't wait for more Qi'ra adventures
Have I mentioned Han Solo? He is also in the Han Solo movie. Alden Ehrenreich is lousy with charm. The movie shows us a dark, hopeless world and young Han is a brash, naive, desperate soul that feels there's a tiny chance to find the light and he's always going to fly toward it.
As a Star Wars fan, I want to see movies that really spotlight a specific character. I want to see movies that take the time to show us the state of the galaxy. I want the big epic space operas but I also want people just trying to get by in the galaxy and make a difference.
Again, these are my opinions, and I recognize there are as many #StarWars opinions as there are Star Wars fans. For me, Solo is thrilling, challenging, funny, and motivating. It makes me want to drive a car fast AND help increase voter turnout, even if the odds are against us.
Finally, if you're still on the fence, please just check out #SoloAStarWarsStory for this crooning alien whose name is Luleo Primoc but in my heart I will always call him Vat Weirdo. Thanks for reading my thoughts and may the coaxium be with you.
