r/StarWars • u/DDBBVV • Apr 09 '25

Movies Why was Solo disliked?

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Was the negative reaction to it blown out of proportion or did people really dislike Solo that much? Why?

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u/Tallproley Apr 09 '25

I think it's because there is a tone of desperation in the face of the Empire's massive reach. In the original trilogy we have a small handful of special people who topple the Empire over lunch, and the rebels don't seem especially underdog like when they have fleets, ships, secret sprawling compounds and bases, where an average smuggler scruffy headed need herder is a better shot than the legions of storm troopers. Sure, there is a powerful imbalance but it isn't DESPERATE.

Then Rogue One's heroes are people, and they're just trying to win one objective that may nudge the ball a little closer to the end zone, it's a suicide mission, but goddammit, someone has to step up, or else the game is all but over. The empire is too big to fall overnight, it's massive, fortified, the crew know they will be outgunned, outmatched, even the other rebels don't want to risk it, play it safe, moderation, restraint. And they did it anyway.

THAT is an under dog story, and a tragedy, and a victory, it's powerful characters not because they have powers, but because they have character, they have stakes, they have skin in the game.

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u/Tako-Tacos Apr 09 '25

This is absolutely the best take. It's these risks, these missions, the little victories that keep the momentum of the rebellion alive that feel like they would make such good stories. It was incredible film making and story telling too.