https://www.cnet.com/news/solo-a-star-wars-story-review-simple-fun-but-han-deserves-better/

But where Disney was free to create a whole new world with Aladdin, director Ron Howard's Solo is beholden to the same galaxy far, far away we've seen in nine other Star Wars movies (and counting) while still creating its own niche inside of this universe. On top of that, the much publicized dismissal of original directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller after six months of filming in favor of Howard led some fans to wonder if this Star Wars tale would feel like Happy Days or Arrested Development.

Thankfully, though much of Han's later life is already told in other films, Solo positions itself at a point along the Star Wars timeline that hasn't been fleshed out much by either the movies or the TV shows. That gives the admittedly simple story a chance to surprise audiences regardless of how well-versed they are in the space opera.