By Susan JAMES

One thing the new “Star Wars” movie gets right is shedding many of the stifling layers of “Star Wars” mythology to go for a fresh approach to a well-known saga. When George Lucas created his universe far, far away and released the first iconic “Star Wars” movie in 1977, he drew on images and themes from Westerns, Arthurian legend, adventure serials and the public’s fascination with sci-fi-fantasy fusion. Yes, we’d seen good guys go up against an evil establishment before but not quite in this way. The snarky sarcasm and bona fide bravado of Harrison Ford’s Han Solo put a modern stamp on an old genre. Luke and Leia’s journey may have been the story’s core but Han was the glue that held the whole thing together.

Director Ron Howard and screenwriters Jonathan and Lawrence Kasdan have made every attempt to return us to that fast-paced, pared-down thrill ride and, for the most part, they’ve succeeded. Less mythology doesn’t mean no mythology and there are enough cues and references to “Star Wars” lore to keep avid fans happy. New characters make their appearance, but the tighter cast and fewer plot diversions keep the story moving forward and that makes for more exciting entertainment.

No, unfortunately, Alden Ehrenreich is not Harrison Ford, an actor whose unique charisma on-screen would be hard for any other actor to duplicate. But this is, after all, an origin story so Ehrenreich’s Solo, bravely attempting to go where one inimitable actor has already gone before, is Han half-formed. Not quite yet who he will become when we meet him again in “Episode IV: A New Hope.” He’s ably supported by Emilia Clarke’s Qi’ra (sans dragons) and Donald Glover’s Lando Calrissian. Glover in particular seems to have gotten a handle on just how to follow in Billy Dee Williams’ footsteps.

Like Bradley Cooper’s Rocket in “Guardians of the Galaxy,” the voice-over actors are stand-outs, particularly Jon Favreau’s Rio and Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s L3. It would have been nice to spend more time with them. Paul Bettany’s Dryden Vos, psycho lord of the Crimson Dawn, following so soon after the release of Paul Bettany’s tender superhero Vision in the “Avengers” is slightly weird and, yes, distracting. Instead of red skin he has red slashes that flare when he’s angry. I kept looking for the Mind Stone on his forehead.

We first meet up with Han on the dystopian planet of Corellia, plotting with his BFF Qi’ra an escape from that soul-crushing place. A cat-and-mouse game with the soldiers of Lady Proxima, a creepy crustacean-like creature who runs the show, ends with Han’s escape from the planet (did you doubt it?). Three years later, he’s hitching a ride with master thief Beckett (Woody Harrelson) and his crew, on their way to another score. The growing power of the Empire is casting shade on the entire galaxy and threads of the coming showdown between the Empire and the Rebellion pop up throughout the film.

After that the story follows a predictable path for someone named Han Solo. Daring raids, quick-witted escapes, inevitable betrayal and multiple groups with clashing agendas. A fast-moving train sequence among snow-covered mountains is memorable. Han meets Chewie (of course); Han meets Lando, partners with Lando, falls out with Lando, and wins the Millenium Falcon from Lando. Oh, and, (spoiler alert), Han does make the Kessel Run in 14 parsecs.

See you at the movies!

  susan james