Solo: A Star Wars Story Review - 7 Ups And 4 Downs
Ups...
7. The Galaxy And World-Building
Unlike other Star Wars movies, Solo isn't about a conflict with the Empire. There's no Death Star to try and destroy, no lightsaber duels or X-wing dogfights. However, that doesn't mean the Imperial presence isn't still keenly felt, and it's actually done so in a very effective way.
Here we get to see the galaxy away from the factions fighting the good fight, and instead just see real people doing what it takes to survive will under the boot of galactic rule.
We hop from planet to planet - Corellia, Mimban and so on - and, while in terms of pacing there's maybe one planet too many, it's a great bit of world-building that helps show us a galaxy far, far away in a different sort of light, away from the dichotomy of Jedi and Sith.
That, in turn, gives us a greater understanding of the characters and also the Imperial Army itself, getting plunged into action with them rather than against them, and makes the galaxy feels a whole lot bigger than the recent episodes have.