The setups and payoffs are big sized- meant to make the referencing easier and obviously memorable. Energetic performances, casual humour, nostalgic back-flips add up to a rousing engagement.

It’s like Chewbacca’s groaning presence, John Williams’ classic tune and other familiar props and paraphernalia, everything is just doing its bit to compensate for Harrison Ford’s sorely missed devilry

Solo: A Star Wars Story is a mildly entertaining backstory to one of the most seminal characters in popular culture. We only wish questions that were never asked weren’t answered in such excruciating detail.

‘Solo’ is an action-packed and fast-paced film and a wonderful addition to the ever expanding Star Wars story.

There are moments when you admire the dexterity with which Solo squeezes by yet another fast-closing dark star, or out-runs yet another fizzy missile, and then you are back to looking for something new.

Ron Howard delivers a delightful origin story for one of Star Wars’ most beloved characters; part gangster movie, part film noir, part western and a lot of fun.

In the end, director Ron Howard manages to salvage the remnants of the production mess to a fair extent. While he plays it safe and loses some of the mythical Star Wars allure along the way, he succeeds in creating a decent sci-fi action film. ‘Solo: A Star Wars Story’ has enough action, CGI spectacle, and callbacks to satisfy both its old and new fans while barely justifying its addition to the franchise.

Solo: A Star Wars Story never skimps on spectacle, yet fails to genuinely surprise you with anything bold or original. At 2 hours and 15 minutes it’s a trudge at best, not the exhilarating flight worthy of the best pilot in the galaxy.