Page 6 May 31, 2018 EL SEGUNDO HERALD
Check It Out Film Review
A Trio of Superb Graphic Novels
Reviewed by Jeff Huttinger, Library
Assistant, El Segundo Public Library
Although graphic novels have never been
more popular than right now, there has
always been a certain snobbery in regard
to their literary value. I can’t recall the
number of times skeptical eyebrows were
raised whenever I slid a graphic novel
The Best We Could Do by Thi Bui.
across the desk as an answer to the
question, “Have you read anything good
lately?” Action panels. Thought balloons.
This couldn’t possibly be serious reading,
right? Wrong!
One of the best books of 2017 was
author Thi Bui’s very personal and beautifully
written memoir The Best We Could Do, a
warts-and-all account of her early life in
Vietnam before immigrating to the United
States. A story of heartbreak and struggle,
Best is a timely first-hand look at the refugee
experience. With realistic illustrations
throughout, Bui paints an honest portrayal of
her family with an especially pointed look at
her father and the hardships he endured as a
child. The Best We Could Do is an excellent
depiction of the actions of the past having
a ripple affect across multiple generations.
Entertainment
This is a must read.
New to paperback is author Adrian Tomine’s
series of illustrated vignettes, Killing and
Dying. This is a collection of short stories
in the same vein as Raymond Carver and
George Saunders. Told in a very slice-of-life
way with biting humor, the style resembles
the Sunday funnies with dark undertones
simmering just below the surface. With
Killing, Tomine continues to be one of my
favorite graphic novelists.
Last but not least, author Santiago Garcia
and artist David Rubin bring the classic tale
of Beowulf to life in this gorgeously illustrated
rendition. Adapting the timeless poem of a
larger-than-life hero ridding his kingdom of
a savage and brutal monster as their canvas,
Garcia and Rubin paint a lush and vibrant
depiction of the enduring battle between
good and evil while remaining faithful to
the source material every step of the way.
Beowulf is a great representation of the best
graphic novels have to offer.
Whenever you’re looking for your next
great read, consider a graphic novel. You’ll
be glad you did.
To check out any of the titles mentioned
above, or browse any of our other graphic
novels, please visit the library to apply for
your free library card. •
Han Solo’s Bad Boy Origin Tale
Told in Solo: A Star Wars Story
By Morgan Rojas
for www.cinemacy.com
While the Star Wars saga continues
to propel the story in a new direction, the
Star Wars universe is committed to exploring
every corner of the galaxy far, far away.
Solo: A Star Wars Story, in theaters everywhere
today, acts as a prequel to the original
Star Wars by telling the origin story of
everyone’s favorite smuggler, Han Solo. As
originated by Harrison Ford in the first Star
Wars, he would play Han for the rest of the
series and cement his status as one of pop
culture’s most iconic characters. In Solo,
Alden Ehrenreich steps up to the plate to
channel the smuggler as a 20-somethingyear
old street rat turned fighter pilot. While
it’s not terrible, Solo is uninventive and limp
-- which fans may be disappointed, but not
shocked to hear.
We are immediately thrust into following
the titular Han, a smuggler escaping a life
of “lawlessness” along with beautiful Qi’ra
(Emilia Clarke). Fed up with their dreary life
on the planet Corellia, Han makes a plan to
escape with Qi’ra and live out his dream as
a fighter pilot. Their attempt to leave ends
up in chaos. Han narrowly escapes, but is
forced to leave Qi’ra behind. Determined
to save her from an unknowing fate, Han
continues on his journey alone (or, solo),
desperate to find a way to rescue her from
the evil powers that be.
The quest to rescue Qi’ra is not an easy one.
In fact, Han nearly gets killed multiple times
(but…no spoiler here -- of course, he doesn’t).
He meets a cast of characters throughout his
journey, including the killer Wookie turned
best friend, Chewbacca (Joonas Suotamo),
and fellow back-alley smugglers Tobias
Beckett (Woody Harrelson) and Val (Thandie
Newton). Han becomes entangled in the duo’s
latest mission to rob a train full of coaxium
fuel for the criminal organization Crimson
Dawn, which will bring everyone involved
a major payday. Han sees the reward money
as the opportunity he needs to buy a plane to
finally rescue Qi’ra and wholeheartedly agrees
to join. However, things go south before the
mission is completed, which forces the group
to take on an even riskier job. This new job
introduces Han to Lando Calrissian (Donald
Glover), L3-37 (Phoebe Waller-Bridge), and
ultimately, the evil forces of Crimson Dawn
leader Dryden Vos (Paul Bettany).
While it’s a serviceable movie, there’s no
denying that we’re cashing in on the currency
of a character and world we already know
rather than building things anew. There is
only so much originality that can go into
“prequel” films like this one, and unfortunately
that predictability is Solo’s biggest downfall.
While there are a few plot twists and surprises
here and there, Solo as a whole comes off
as flat. Action scenes aside, the story lacks
the pizzazz that Star Wars fans have come
to expect and deserve.
It has only been a year since the latest
Star Wars movie, The Last Jedi, was
released. This poses the question -- is the
frequency at which Disney is pumping out
these films making the movies less special?
That could be one reason why Solo feels
unnecessary in relation to the Star Wars
canon. That’s not to say that the film lacks
talent, both in front of and behind the camera,
including director Ron Howard (who replaced
directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller
after they were let go because of bumpy
behind-the-scenes drama). Ultimately, Solo’s
biggest disappointment is that it is forgettable
-- especially among the sea of other
hero movies that came out recently. Although
for as much criticism as the film has received,
there really is nothing like sitting in a theatre
listening to John Williams’ Star Wars theme
song in surround sound. That alone may be
worth the price of admission.
Solo: A Star Wars Story is rated PG-13 for
sequences of sci-fi action/violence. 135 minutes.
Now playing in theaters everywhere. •
Solo: A Star Wars Story Courtesy of Lucas Films.
Morgan Rojas.
Jeff Huttinger.
Killing and Dying by Adrian Tomine.
Beowulf by Santiago Garcia and David Rubin.