Short Summary is an original series in which I write brief reviews of movies, TV shows, video games, books, and more. Spoiler alert, just in case!

Oh, Solo… Poor Solo. There were countless articles about a production plagued with problems. There was doubt regarding the casting of Alden Ehrenreich as Han Solo. The marketing for this movie was poor and underwhelming, with trailers that failed to light anyone’s fire. Plus, worst of all, everyone questioned the purpose of making the movie in the first place. Now, it’s suffering a slow death at the box office.

This is all such a shame because Solo: A Star Wars Story is really good and, honestly, the best Star Wars movie to come out since Disney acquired the franchise.

That’s right, you heard me. In my opinion, it’s better than The Force Awakens and Rogue One (I haven’t seen The Last Jedi, and I refuse to, but from what I hear, it’s even better than that one). I’ve learned to approach any new Star Wars movies with caution ever since Disney released The Force Awakens. I went into Solo with low expectations, well aware of the negative news surrounding it, yet curious to see how it would turn out. When the movie was over, I found myself surprised and excited. I kept thinking “I want more Star Wars like this.”

I say that for one reason above any other: Solo is a space Western, and I dig me a space Western. The episodic Star Wars entries have often been described as an overarching space opera, in fact the greatest space opera to ever exist. They’re dramatic and epic, and they deal with heavy themes, with characters grappling with the light and dark sides of the force. Of course, I love those things. However, when it comes to a character like Han Solo, charming, roguish smuggler that he is, a space opera story just isn’t fitting for his origin movie. Solo decides to embrace elements of the Western genre instead, exploring the seedy, dark underbelly of the galaxy, truly the “wretched hive of scum and villainy” Obi-Wan described in A New Hope.

Some of the best scenes in the film incorporate the greatest aspects of a Western as well. There’s one shot of Han’s blaster in its holster and his hand slowly reaching for it. There’s an extended sequence of a train robbery. There are scenes of gambling in low-lit rooms, engaging in multiple stand-offs, and ensuing gunfights. However, this is still a Star Wars movie, and the space part obviously isn’t neglected.

All of the performances are solid, and yes, so is Ehrenreich’s. There was no reason to fear. There’s actually only one plotline in Solo, meaning the movie is tight, well-edited, and fast-paced; no scene feels terribly out of place or unnecessary. Character introductions are awesome for Han and Chewbacca and Han and Lando, too. The new characters, particularly Tobias Beckett, Qi’ra, and Dryden Vos, are interesting.

Most importantly, though, I think Solo is a great look at Han as a younger man. There are no new, shocking revelations or deeper insights into his character, it’s true. But he starts off a certain way and gets enough development to distinguish himself from the Han we’ve all come to know and love, and there’s definitely room for more. I wonder if we’ll ever get a sequel to this movie, yet I sure hope we do!