I have two movies to review today. I will be reviewing "Solo: A Star Wars Story" which is the latest "Star Wars" spinoff movie and "Life of the Party." Before I get started, I'd like to give a shoutout to the Free Gamer's Alliance YouTube channel. Their videos cover everything from walkthroughs, glitches, easter eggs, and various amusing video game related content, all of which is delivered with some colorful commentary while they have buckets of fun doing it. Here is the link:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC03E6K3QHRMp7Vs0S6wHm6Q
It is time to talk about "Life of the Party." Here is the trailer:
- There is a really nice plot twist in this movie that is very satisfying.
- The thing working most for this movie is Gillian Jacobs. She plays a very different character than she does in "Community" and she steals the scene at every opportunity.
- The jokes in this movie miss a lot of the marks. I found myself laughing a few times but for the most part they aren't that funny.
- I feel like the script did not allow Melissa McCarthy to be as funny as she normally is. She has some good moments but I feel like she was held back here.
- With the exception of McCarthy and Jacobs, the cast was really not great. A lot of them did not have chemistry with each other and for the most part did not portray what they were trying to very successfully.
- This movie feels quite a bit longer than it actually is.
- There are quite a few serious scenes that try to have lots of heart but they just don't work.
- There is a really forced celebrity cameo that feels really awkward.
"Life of the Party" is a movie that tries its best to be a lot of things but doesn't generally succeed at any of them. I would say this one is not worth the time.
It is time to review "Solo: A Star Wars Story." Here is the trailer:
- When this cast was announced, a bunch of people on the internet had concerns (because of course they did). I can gladly say that this cast is on point. In particular, Alden Ehrenreich shines. He manages to play Han Solo in a way that is believable without trying to do a Harrison Ford impression. He portrays him in a way that I would believe Han Solo would be in his younger years.
- Visually, this movie is fantastic.
- There are some really great action sequences that will have you will have a blast watching.
- The score is absolutely fantastic. It brings in elements of old theme music while having enough new stuff to feel fresh.
- There are some really wonderful plot twists throughout.
- There is a relationship between 2 characters that could have used a bit more development in the beginning. I feel like it would have improved it for sure. I did like where it was taken in the end but it would have had even more impact with that kind of development.
- Finally, this movie does not feel like it has the weight or the stakes that the last three "Star Wars" movies had. I think a little bit more of that would have made this movie stronger.
"Solo: A Star Wars Story" may not have the same gravity of the last three "Star Wars" movies but it does so many things right that it is still a really great time at the movies. This is a fantastic summer blockbuster that absolutely deserves to be seen on the big screen and I recommend it 100%.
Thanks for reading everyone!! As usual, feel free to leave a comment but please be advised that if you are going to read any potential comments that spoilers may be present.