Solo: A Star Wars Story (UHD Blu-ray) review

[Brandon Eberhart]

It sounds like it's just an issue with the disc mastering though? I talked to a co-worker who said he didn't remember it being dark in the theater but maybe he's not remembering right. I missed it in the theater unfortunately (or fortunately depending on how you look at it) so I don't know how it looked.

No, its intentional. Damn near every theatrical review I've seen mentions it. What's most baffling is the style was established before Ron Howard came on, when the movie was meant to more of a fun comedy. Looks way to grim for a comedy (and even the final version has lots of (intended) humor, and darkness makes it hard to even see the actors expressions.

If you guys like the Honest Trailer, here a more in-depth (and hilarious) analysis. I don't normally care for YouTube talking heads, but these guys are great:

[cpaluda]

Was it that dark in the theater as well though? Or just the home release version(s)?

[David Vaughn]

Yes...it was dark in the theaters too.

[cpaluda]

Ah ok, well I guess I found the home solution then. Get the 4K disc, play it on a non HDR TV and assuming the disc player has an HDR conversion where you can set the level like the Sony X800, change it so it brightens the pic. When I did that while watching I could actually see what was going on at least somewhat better. I really thought it was an HDR conversion issue for me with that disc until I put the regular blu-ray in and noticed it was just as dark as the 4K disc before I changed the HDR conversion setting.

[Chris Gonzalez]

Pure demo material, but to disappoint anyone jumping in for uhd bd.

One of the worst presentations that I had seen in this format.

The movie is a fun ride though, much better than the Last Jedi.


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[Lefisc]

Well I agreed with your last few reviews David, but not this one.

I had lots of problems with the movie (like the social justice warrior driod... ugh) but the biggest for me was the look of the film, which you did touch on. Just awful. A muddled messy of dingy browns, no true black to be seen anywhere. Even outer space seemed grey and muddy.

Structure was a mess, but if you can get past the first 30m it gets better. I thought the score was terrible, though. Felt cheap, more like a TV movie, and the way they weaved in other SW themes felt forced.

The Kessel Run maelstrom scene was neat, but went on way too long. Did not like Donald Glover's imitation of Billy Dee, felt more like an SNL parody and man, that 'romance' with him and the droid was so bizarre. Chewbacca was weird too. Felt like a man in a suit (which it is of course, but didn't feel that way in earlier SW movies).

Alden Ehrenrich was great, though-

BE, having just seen it on Netflix, I agree with you word for word.

[David Vaughn]

Hurumph...you too have too high of expectations

[Lefisc]

With Star Wars, the sky’s the limit!