“Solo: A Star Wars Story” takes us back to the halcyon days of Hollywood science-fiction film-making: You know, the days when characters, stories and plot development meant something.

“Solo” tells the story of the young Han Solo (played with astonishing alacrity by handsome and fresh-faced Alden Ehrenreich) and how he met his compatriots Chewbacca (Joonas Suotamo) and Lando Calrissian (the wonderful and compelling Donald Glover of Childish Gambino music video fame).

Director Ron Howard and screenwriters Lawrence Kasdan and his son Jonathan Kasdan, make all the right moves in “Solo,” in story, dialogue and production design. The characters are based on those created by George Lucas, “Star Wars” writer-director-producer.

Lawrence Kasdan knows the “Star Wars” canon well, having co-written “The Empire Strikes Back” (1980), “Return of the Jedi’ (1983) and “The Force Awakens” (2015).

“Solo” has a well-worn look in the world it creates, the Millennium Falcon exteriors and interiors, and the gadgets and devices. Essentially, we’re seeing a 1970s’ and 1980s’ concept of the future. It’s not unlike “Back to the Future.” Call it back to the “Star Wars.”

“Solo” stokes the romance between Han Solo and Qi’ra (pronounced Kira, and played by the extraordinary and superb Emilia Clarke of HBO’s “Game of Thrones,” 2011-17). Their on-screen chemistry shoots off more sparks than the fiery exhaust of Han Solo’s M-68 Landspeeder.

Fine in supporting roles are Woody Harrelson (Beckett, a cruel henchman with a heart of gold, as in money), Paul Bettany (Dryden Vos, an even crueler archvillan), Erin Kellyman (Enfys Nest, an early supporter of the Rebellion), and Phoebe Waller-Bridge (voice of L3-37, one of the most amazingly-realized computer-generated imagery robot characters ever).

John Powell, composer, invokes John Williams’ iconic “Star Wars” theme subtlely and creatively.

“Solo,” second in the Anthology series (“Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,” 2016, was the first), feels new, not unlike the first “Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope,” released way back in 1977 (May 25, the same date when “Solo” was released in 2018), some 41 years ago when Harrison Ford first starred as Han Solo.

“Solo: A Star Wars Story” is fun, constantly entertaining, and one of the most satisfying in the expanding “Star Wars” universe.

“Solo: A Star Wars Story,” MPAA Rated PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13. Parents are urged to be cautious. Some material may be inappropriate for pre-teenagers.) for sequences of sci-fi action-violence; Genre: Action, Adventure, Science Fiction; Run Time: 2 hrs,, 15 mins.; Distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.

Credit Readers Anonymous: “Solo: A Star Wars Story” was filmed in Spain, Italy and England.

Box Office, June 8: The girl crew (Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, Anne Hathaway, Mindy Kaling, Sarah Paulson, Awkwafina, Rihanna and Helena Bonham Carter) of “Ocean’s Eight” opened at No. 1, with $41.5 million, ending the two-week No. 1 of “A Star Wars Story,” which dropped to No. 2, with $15.2 million, $176.1 million, three weeks.

3. “Deadpool 2” dropped one slot, $13.7 million, $278,7 million, four weeks. 4. “Hereditary,” $13 million, opening. 5. “Avengers: Infinity War,” $6.8 million, $654.7 million, seven weeks. 6. “Adrift” drifted down three places, $5 million, $21.7 million, two weeks. 7. “Book Club” flipped down two pages, $4.2 million, $56.9 million, four weeks. 8. “Hotel Artemis,” $3.2 million, opening. 9. “Upgrade” downgraded three positions, $2.2 million, $9.2 million, two weeks. 10. “Life Of The Party” crashed down three places, $2.1 million, $50.3 million, five weeks.

Unreel, June 15:

“Incredibles 2,” PG: Brad Bird directs the voice talents of Craig T. Nelson, Holly Hunter, Sarah Vowell, and Huck Milner in the Animation Comedy feature film. Bob Parr (Mr. Incredible) babysits Jack-Jack while Helen (Elastigirl) saves the world.

“Tag,” R: Jeff Tomsic directs Isla Fisher, Annabelle Wallis, Jon Hamm, and Jeremy Renner in the Comedy. Former classmates play an annual game of tag that goes cross-country.

Four Popcorn Boxes out of Five Popcorn Boxes