My TEN Favorite Han Solo Moments
Yesterday's release of the new Solo: A Star Wars Story trailer and poster.
There is a great deal of excitement for this film because Han Solo is such a legendary character. And, with his death in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, we miss him even more. So, I thought I'd share my 10 favorite Han Solo moments (not in any particular order).
1. Who shot first?
Star Wars: A New Hope
This confrontation between Han Solo and Greedo in A New Hope is not one of the most hotly debated (who shot first?), but it established Han as a true bad-ass. I remember seeing this scene when I was younger, wide eyed and gasping. This guy was dangerous and I wanted to see more.
2. I love you. I know.
Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back
I've talked about this scene before and its emotional impact. I was genuinely frightened for Han Solo because, in those days, there wasn't sequels for everything. The scene has a palpable melancholy in this being the first time Han and Leia express their love in their own way. Yet, despite all odds, perhaps because of this exchange, we are left with some hope for these two.
3. Scruffy Looking Nerf Herder
Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back
"Why, you stuck-up, half-witted, scruffy-looking nerf herder!" If the scene where Han is frozen in carbonite is the first time we hear the word "love," this exchange really exemplified the kind of combative relationship Han and Leia had. The dialogue between the two is amazing to watch, although it does lead to that awkward kiss. And not the one between Han and Leia.
4. "Chewie...We're Home"
Star Wars: The Force Awakens
After 32 years missing out favorite scoundrel and fuzzball, nothing brought a bigger smile to my face than hearing those words and seeing Han and Chewie back on the Millennium Falcon. I was smiling from ear to ear.
5. Han Solo To The Rescue
Star Wars: A New Hope
Just when we thought Han Solo would reveal himself to truly to be the scoundrel by taking his payment and leaving the Rebellion just as everything started going down, Han Solo proved to be a hero by joining the Rebel Squadron and helped destroy the Death Star. I remember just cheering when Han and Chewie showed up.
6. That's not how the Force works?
Star Wars: The Force Awakens
I loved this scene because I felt it was a seamless moment between the old guard and the new guard. This exchange between Han and Finn was just such fun accentuating Han's swagger with Finn's awkwardness. One of my worries about this new trilogy was whether our classic heroes would mesh. This scene proved that not only could, but do it masterfully.
7. Luke's rescue on Hoth
Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back
No matter how much Han tried to get out of the Rebellion business, he could never leave his friends in need. So much so that he risked death by heading out in subarctic temperatures to find his buddy Luke who had not reported back to base. And, when he found Luke, he famously slices opun a Tauntaun to keep them warm until morning. I don't think any Star Wars fan forgot this.
8. You've never heard of the Millennium Falcon?
Star Wars: A New Hope
Han Solo was all about his legend. So, when Luke asked about the Millennium Falcon, Han is actually shocked. Of course, he can't help but share the legend of making the Kessel Run in less than 12 parsecs. I didn't know what a Kessel Run or a parsec was, but it sounded fast and awesome. This was the kind of thing that made Han endearing.
9. Boba Fett? Where?!?
Star Wars: Return of the Jedi
This is one of Han's funnier moments in terms of physical comedy. While still somewhat blinded from being frozen in carbonite, Han faced not only certain death by trying to make his way through a rescue attempt. Boba Fett tried to get things under control, but Han, stumbling around a bit, serendipitously knocks Fett into the Sarlacc pit. At the same time, he is able to rescue Lando. You can imagine this to be a story he'd tell to add to his legend...embellished, of course.
10. Leia and Han are reunited
Star Wars: The Force Awakens
When Han and Leia are reunited after their son kidnapped Rey, the exchange felt like putting on an old glove. It felt so wonderful and familiar because it exemplified the awkwardness yet intense love in their relationship. It was everything I wanted to see in their reunion.