Solo: A Star Wars Story (Post-release)

[Inquisitor Peregrinus]

I only ever watched it at home, and my recollection was not that the film was particularly dark. Granted, I'm usually watching on a plasma with the "THX Bright Room" setting on, but it seemed about normal to me. Was this something that people have noticed at home as well?

Depending on the theater one saw it at (and I mean, even specific screens at multiplexes), it was either fine, or dark and muddy and hard to see anything even in the broad-daylight scenes. This is a thing with digital projection, where the bulbs need to be replaced religiously -- and not delay as long as possible to save money. For reasons I'm less clear on, failing bulbs had more of an impact on how clear/bright Solo was, compared to others that have the same theatrical considerations.

But yeah -- I saw it at two screens in one theater opening weekend. First viewing was just fine. Other screen, the bulb was starting to go and it was dark and muddy the way so many complained about.

 

[Jaitea]

As they all change to laser projectors, dim lamps will be a thing of the past

J

 

[Potroclo]

In the behind the scenes videos both lightning supervisor and director of photography talk about making it look "realistic", or something along those lines. The sabacc scenes set had like a couple yellowy lamps only... I guess that means if the place is dark in universe, the audience gets to squint until their retinas fall off and wonder what the **** they're actually seeing. I saw it at home too and as much as I enjoyed the film overall, I had to watch it in total darkness and turn up the screen brightness. Makes for an immersive experience thoug; I felt like the worm queen/crime boss when it finished and I drew the curtains back open.
I wonder if the darker image trend in movies is also a way to prevent piracy? It must be hard to steal a screener with such low light.

 

[Toadmeister]

As they all change to laser projectors, dim lamps will be a thing of the past

J

What about Turbo-laser projectors?

 

[Strikerkc]

I don't get the need that so many people seem to have to see what's going on better than the characters would.

That seems like it's in the same category as requiring all films have a narrator that tells you things the characters don't know yet.

A story teller gets to tell you what they want to tell you. And if they're more interested in making a seedy dark bar scene set at night, give the feeling of a seedy dark bar scene set at night, they get to film it that way; rather than bring in flood lights just so y'all can tell what color shoelaces a character walking through the scene 30 yards back is wearing.

 

[Toadmeister]

I don't get the need that so many people seem to have to see what's going on better than the characters would.

That seems like it's in the same category as requiring all films have a narrator that tells you things the characters don't know yet.

A story teller gets to tell you what they want to tell you. And if they're more interested in making a seedy dark bar scene set at night, give the feeling of a seedy dark bar scene set at night, they get to film it that way; rather than bring in flood lights just so y'all can tell what color shoelaces a character walking through the scene 30 yards back is wearing.

You have a point.

I rewatched Band of Brothers last month. Every night scene was flooded with lights to the point it irritated me as a viewer of a historical drama.

 

[Inquisitor Peregrinus]

I think maybe watch the first act of ROTJ again. Most of Jabbas's palace is lost or heavily obscured in shadow. Meanwhile I could see everything I needed to in both Sabacc games, so...

 

[KojiroVance]

I don't get the need that so many people seem to have to see what's going on better than the characters would.

That seems like it's in the same category as requiring all films have a narrator that tells you things the characters don't know yet.

A story teller gets to tell you what they want to tell you. And if they're more interested in making a seedy dark bar scene set at night, give the feeling of a seedy dark bar scene set at night, they get to film it that way; rather than bring in flood lights just so y'all can tell what color shoelaces a character walking through the scene 30 yards back is wearing.

Fllmmaking 101. It IS possible to select a color palette and tone to a scene but still have your principals lit to differentiate from the background.

I wasn’t referring to the sabbac scenes, where YOU COULD see what you needed to. That sequence where Han met Chewbacca, seemed like everything was lit to blend together.

You don’t have to use straw man arguments or exaggeration to make your point. But it does help drive people out of the conversation so you can jump up and down and claim victory.

 

[Strikerkc]

As you accuse in an attempt to drive people out of the conversation... Adorable

I saw a common thread, i called it out.

 

[Toadmeister]

Fllmmaking 101. It IS possible to select a color palette and tone to a scene but still have your principals lit to differentiate from the background.

I wasn’t referring to the sabbac scenes, where YOU COULD see what you needed to. That sequence where Han met Chewbacca, seemed like everything was lit to blend together.

You don’t have to use straw man arguments or exaggeration to make your point. But it does help drive people out of the conversation so you can jump up and down and claim victory.

I wonder if those dimly lit scenes were done by the original directors or Ron Howard.

In post production I suppose there is only so much you can do to correct these things.

 

[robn1]

In post production I suppose there is only so much you can do to correct these things.

In most cases these days it's the post processing that turns it to ****.

 

[NeoRutty]

I watched it again with my Dad cuz we go to EVERY Star Wars together since I was a kid, but Solo we didn't get the chance.

Again, I liked it overall... but would love to see Lord/Miller's cut.

My dad enjoyed as well, but his one complaint when it was all over...

"I couldn't see anything... half the movie was too dark... but the story was fun... why was it so muddy?"

Sorry pops.

It is SUCH A drag... if it was the same movie but LOOKED like TLJ, I would have liked it A LOT more.

 

[Axlotl]

I finally started watching this last night. Lost interest pretty quickly.
Maybe I'll finish watching it over the weekend.
Initial impression: it didn't bring me any joy, it just made me depressed.
RIP, Star Wars.

 

[Strikerkc]

Well, I'd go out on a limb and say that it's a very depressing story; so, you're not wrong.

 

[JediMichael]

I finally started watching this last night. Lost interest pretty quickly.
Maybe I'll finish watching it over the weekend.
Initial impression: it didn't bring me any joy, it just made me depressed.
RIP, Star Wars.

Han dies.

 

[Star Wars Helmets]

Glad some people enjoyed it, personally speaking I thought it was incredibly dull and uninspiring. It’s telling that it is by far the worst performing Star Wars movie at the box office!

Cheers

Jez

 

[Strikerkc]

Han dies.

It's true. The character of han dies, and is replaced by a fatherless force child made by Palatine, so he would eventually father Kylo Ren... Palatine was REALLY about the long game.

 

[Jamesfett]

Glad some people enjoyed it, personally speaking I thought it was incredibly dull and uninspiring. It’s telling that it is by far the worst performing Star Wars movie at the box office!

Cheers

Jez

It's the best of the worst. I was surprised I liked it but I still wish they would not have made it. After TLJ I think I would have even enjoyed the Phantom menace so it's skewed a bit.

Plus the people making it, unlike TLJ, did not hate and despise all other Star Wars fans and creators.

 

[Star Wars Helmets]

It's the best of the worst. I was surprised I liked it but I still wish they would not have made it. After TLJ I think I would have even enjoyed the Phantom menace so it's skewed a bit.

Plus the people making it, unlike TLJ, did not hate and despise all other Star Wars fans and creators.

I didn’t like TLJ either, but at least it had some interesting moments - unlike Solo which was like watching paint dry. Worst of the worst for me!

Cheers

Jez

 

[Funky]

Again, I really enjoyed it.
I find it puzzling that some folks said it was worse than The Phantom Menace. I didn't think I would ever hear THAT.