Towards the end of the movie, Han Solo surprises most viewers by coming back to help Luke complete the mission of destroying the Death Star. Han Solo throughout the movie portrays to be a 'tough' guy who's only concern is himself and money. That is why many of his motives to help Luke and Obi Wan in the beginning was for the reward to pay for all the debt he was in. George Lucas described Han as "A loner who realizes the importance of being part of a group and helping for the common good." In my own opinion, Han transforms his personality just as much as Luke has. Luke seemed 'bratty' in the beginning of the movie, and transforms into this great hero that destroys the Death Star. Han Solo meanwhile, 'leaves' because he received his reward from saving the princess. This affects Luke greatly, as he states to Han as he's leaving, "Okay. Take care of yourself Han. I guess that's what you're best at isn't it?" Later, as Luke is in trouble with being shot at by Darth Vader, Han Solo surprises Luke by coming on the intercom, and is his backup. Han Solo transforms from being the selfish, greedy man, into a true team player that helps Luke save the day. I think Han Solo has transformed just as much as Luke has. Do you?
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ReplyDeleteI agree with you Brie. Hans in the beginning of the film seemed very selfish and uninterested in helping anyone else if it wasn't for his own benefit. However, at the end he clearly has changed as he saved Luke's life to allow Luke to destroy the Death Star. I, however, still believe that Luke is more of a hero then Hans because Hans had to be called out on being selfish before he finally decided to help Luke whereas Luke always had heroic characteristics in him he just never showed them.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you completely. I think that if the same situation happened with the Han at the beginning of the movie then he would've never come back to help Luke. On the other hand although it seems as if Han has completely transformed I would argue that he was just helping out s friend but, he is still s pretty selfish person.
ReplyDeleteThe fact that Han comes around and helps Luke out in the end adds a nice twist and a happy ending to not only the over all movie but also Luke and Han's relationship. It ends on a pretty bitter note when Han leaves but when Han comes back it resolves the tension between the two characters. It also establishes Han as a hero, second to Luke.
ReplyDeleteGood point. Without Han returning to save Luke, the Death Star would not have been destroyed. You could say that ha was the real hero of the final scene and that he redeemed himself from his earlier mistakes.
DeletePlaying the devils advocate here... Do we know this? What if Han had actually left for good? Could it be said that Luke would have failed for sure? Maybe Luke would have been able to use the force to escape the lasers from the ships tailing him. Of course this is all speculation, but perhaps Han came back soley as a cinematic strategy to keep Harrison Ford in the movie? Maybe the development of his character is only consequent of his contract to the film...
DeleteI agree with you. The change which occurred in his personality was huge. I believe that Han probably reflected on the comments that Obi Wan, the princess, and Luke said to him as they traveled together during and after the first mission. Obi Wan comments on his beliefs, the princess tells him his motives are terrible and he is a horrible person while they travel and before the final mission Luke , as Brie stated, tells him all he knows how to do is take care of himself. And it seems that Han probably reflected on what they had told him and realized that he could really help and decided to come back in the end.
ReplyDeleteI was thinking about this too, and I agree; Han has some of the most important character development in the movie. I was talking with a friend and they posed the question "Do you think Han's good deed at the end of the movie make up for his selfishness and the bad things we're to believe he has done in the past?" I think that's a really interesting question that could be connected to this post, and I think that yes his heroic actions make up for all that. He overcomes his tough-guy act and takes the opportunity to care for and help others, which he didn't have to do. I definitely think that Han has great character development into a hero, just like Luke.
ReplyDeleteThat is a good question. I believe that it would make up his selfishness acts in the past since he ended up overall doing what was right which is the only important thing. Without him coming in at the end, the mission would have failed. Yes he was being selfish in the beginning however I don't think he always realized it until Luke called him out at the end saying, " Take care of yourself Hans I guess that's what you're best at isn't it?"
DeleteI agree with you Brie. Han's transformation is just as big a change as Luke's, and is a key part of the storyline in not only this movie, but the next two as well. His actions of returning and "saving" Luke establish him as a primary hero in the movie, and someone Luke can rely on throughout the rest of the series.
ReplyDeleteIn breaking down the movie to fit into the circle, our group discussed how the temptress could be for Han Solo instead of Luke, and that it was his greed and interest in money. I agree that he grew into a hero by coming back to save Luke with little or no mindset on getting paid.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree with this statement, I would argue that Han undergoes a larger change in character than Luke. Luke was already a good-hearted person, who eventually becomes a hero. However, Han was a self-centered rogue who only cared about his ship and his money. Luke's road to a hero impacted many people, but he was the sole reason for Han's transformation into a hero.
ReplyDeleteI think that Han definitely transformed throughout the movie. THroughout the whole movie Han would not stop referring to the fact that he was there for the money only, nothing else. This was apparent when Han wanted to just stay in the control room instead of going to save the princess with Luke. Once he found out more money was involved for saving her, he changed his mind and helped. I think he definitely had a change of heart towards the end of the movie. Luke wanted to look up to Han, but in the end I think that Han had to look up to the man Luke had become to be. At the start both were self centered, and in the end they both came together for the greater good.
ReplyDeleteI think that the issue with judging Han Solo is that we do not know the circumstances behind his situation. Han Solo requires money to pay off his bounty to Jabba the Hut so that he can survive. Thus it is impractical to assume that he will help people out of charity, especially when it seems impossible in certain situations. Sure he changed his mind after realizing that there would be money in it for him, but after only seeing this one movie and not knowing anything about his backstory we cannot judge him as greedy just yet. I feel that Han's transformation in the end was a touch too cliche and emotionally filling as I liked the pragmatic, self-assured Han from the beginning. Han's role in the destruction of the Death Star undoubtedly marks him as a hero, but I feel that his sudden 180 from leaving with his money to helping them went against his character.
ReplyDeleteI think that well Hans actions were heroic, he only came back to help Luke so he could get some of the glory. I still think he was being selfish deep down. He is a very selfish person and it's hard to change somebody who only cares for themselves. You can even tell at the end that Han wants most of the credit ever though Luke did most of the work.
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ReplyDeleteI agree with Tim that Hans actions were heroic. All he wanted to do was get his reward and leave, but during the time of Luke's and Han's time together I think his feelings changed. He believed it was only right to come back and help Luke. Luke's and Han's talk before Luke left to fight the Death Star, I think, made Han realize that there was more to life than just rewards. He became an honorable hero.
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