Less than a year after releasing Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Lucasfilm and Disney are back with another in-between-episodes film, this time featuring everyone's favourite scoundrel, Han Solo. Before taking your kids to see Solo: A Star Wars Story [1] after it hits theatres on May 25, there are a few things you might want to know in order to determine if your kids are old enough to enjoy the film, which outlines Han's backstory.
Warning: minor spoilers for Solo: A Star Wars Story lie ahead.
- It's rated PG-13 — but skews a little younger. Despite the rating, Solo is definitely a mild enough film for your younger kids, as long as you know they can handle the classic Star Wars battle scenes without issue.
- There is a fair amount of weapons. From blasters to long poles that channel a dangerous amount of electricity, this movie has its share of crazy weapons that are used to harm people. This is typical for a Star Wars film, but worth noting.
- You'll get that classic Star Wars action, but it's mostly humourous. Even when the characters are in peril — bar one or two scenes — Han and the other characters find a way to deliver some comic relief, which alerts the audience that nothing too serious is about to happen.
- Several characters meet violent ends. Although many of the casualties aren't particularly highlighted, as they're a result of hectic battles, there are two deaths that were actually pretty sad. One was sacrificial, which made it even more upsetting — and could be something that your young child might need explained to them.
- There's one notable "jump" scene. During the Kessel Run, Han and the gang are trying to navigate the Millennium Falcon to their destination, when they come face to face with a giant eye belonging to an octopus-like creature with sharp teeth. It's a pretty dark scene lighting-wise, so I for sure jumped when the monster made its appearance.
- Dryden Vos's appearance could frighten really young kids. You know your child best, and this might be a nonissue, but one of the villains, Crimson Dawn's Dryden Vos, has a slightly jarring appearance — there are scars all up and down his face.
- None of the characters' friendships can be trusted, which is a bummer. Aside from Chewie and Han (BFFs forever), there really isn't a relationship in this film that is based on trust. All of the characters stab each other in the backs, fail to deliver on promises, and lie to each other — a few topics that might be worth bringing up with younger kids as things NOT to do as a friend.