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20. My ship, my rules
The moment: Luke unwisely questions Hans' piloting of the Falcon as they flee Tatooine, only to get a tongue-lashing from the boss: "Watch your mouth, kid, or you're going to find yourself floating home."
As seen in: Star Wars: Episode 4 - A New Hope
Why it's great: It's a good little insight into his head - he's the best, the star of his own movie, and, basically, a bit grumpy no one else can ever see that. Hans' petulant "Don't everyone thank me at once" after they've successfully got away just cements that.
Article continues below19. Fly casual
The moment: Han displays his unorthodox tactical skills leading the Rebels' stolen shuttle through the Imperial defences. "Keep your distance though, Chewie, but don't look like you're trying to keep your distance."
As seen in: Star Wars: Episode 6 - Return of the Jedi
Why it's great: When Chewie questions what the heck he's talking about, a laidback Han shrugs and says, "I don't know, fly casual." Even in the face of almost certain atomisation in space Han's inability to ever believe anything bad could happen to him shines through. It also shows that, like a certain other whip-cracking character of Ford's, he's making it all up as he goes along.
18. Han and Leia reunited
The moment: The moment where Han and Leia meet again after an unspecified time apart is a real tear-jerker. Nobody likes to think about these two becoming estranged, so it's reassuring to see that there's still plenty of sparkle and chemistry there, despite the obvious traumas they've shared in the last few years.
As seen in: Star Wars: Episode 7 - The Force Awakens
Why it's great: It's clear from his expression - Han is still head over heels for this woman. While we may never get to see the pairs honeymoon years, or what life was like in the Solo-Organa household, it's clear that while they may have been in different places, they were never really apart. The 'I saw our son' line emphasises the real pain in their lives.
17. Blind Luck
The moment: After the failed attempt to rescue Han from Jabba, Luke unleashes his lightsaber for 'Escape 2.0'. As all hell breaks lose, and with his vision still a blur, Han spins around looking for Boba Fett - only to accidentally switch on the bounty hunter's rocket pack and send him careering into the Sarlacc's belly.
As seen in: Star Wars: Episode 6 - Return of the Jedi
Why it's great: For once, no one-liner. The charm of this one is that Han is a hero without even knowing it. And, given Lucas', usual heavy handed attempts to do 'light' and 'comedic' it works. In the chaos of the breakout on Jabba's barge Fett's ignominious end is just part of all the noise.
16. 3,720 to One
The moment: With the Falcon's path blocked by an asteroid belt, and the Imperial fleet hot on its heels, Han takes a calculated risk by flying into the near-certain death of an unnavigable asteroid field. Except C3PO has something to say about that.
As seen in: Star Wars: Episode 5 - The Empire Strikes Back
Why it's great: It's one of Star Wars' most classic lines. As soon as Han announces his plan, C3PO immediately calculates their chances of successfully navigating through the asteroids as 3,720 to 1. "Never tell me the odds!" Han yells angrily and does it anyway.
15. "Boring conversation"
The moment: While Luke and Han are in the Deathstar prison trying to find Leia, Han tries - and fails - to put Death Star security off the scent. After an intercom buzzes in asking what's going on, Han tries and fails to pretend conversationally that nothing's wrong. "Boring conversation anyway," he shrugs as he blasts the speaker to bits.
As seen in: Star Wars: Episode 4 - A New Hope
Why it's great: This, famously, was one of Harrison Ford's more improvised moments. He famously admitted he said, during Star Wars filming, “George, you can type this shit, but you sure can’t say it.” This moment feels like Han was making it on the fly because he was. The wince as the end as he finishes with "thank you, how are you?" suggests even Ford wasn't convinced.
14. Win, lose or TIE
The moment: Escaping from the Death Star, Han and Luke take to the Millennium Falcon's gun turrets to blast a squadron of pursuing TIE Fighters.
As seen in: Star Wars: Episode 4 - A New Hope
Why it's great: It's the first moment of real bonding between the two as they work in unison to obliterate the pursuing enemy, and a great action sequence to boot. Although, the bonding is obviously still a work in progress as when Luke gets excited and celebrates a hit, Han retorts, "Great, kid, don't get cocky!" Given everything we know about Han that's probably as much because he's annoyed to share the limelight as it is wise words.
13. Han offers Rey a job...
The moment: Having escaped Han's debt collecting enemies and proved her skills in a fight, Han awkwardly offers Rey a place on the crew of the Millennium Falcon, trying, and failing miserably, to pretend he doesn't really care all that much.
As seen in: Star Wars: Episode 7 - The Force Awakens
Why it's great: It's touching on so many level. Firstly, it's everything Rey's dreamed of while trapped on Jakku: to fly, to see the stars, to have a family and belong. Secondly, Han's mumbling attempt to pretend he doesn't care just makes it all more adorable - like a father trying no to let on he has feelings. One of the saddest things about Han's death in The Force Awakens is that it's robbed us of the chance to see how the bond between these two might have developed.
12. Trojan walker
The moment: During the battle for Ender Han finally gets into the shield generator bunker from a commandeered AT-ST. He puts on his best Imperial trooper voice to trick the bunker staff into thinking the fights over and the Rebels routed. Obviously, they open their doors.
As seen in: Star Wars: Episode 6 - Return of the Jedi
Why it's great: How fitting that the act that shuts down the deflector shields, lets Lando blow up the Death Star and - in essence - saves the day, is basically Han chancing it and relying on his extremely variable luck. The fact the 300 teddy bears with sticks seal the deal must only make this stick in the Empire's throat even more.
11. Wrong turn
The moment: While chasing down Stormtroopers on the Death Star Han runs into a patrol and - with perfect reflexes - manages to skid to a halt and loose off a few blaster bolts as he turns to run back the way he came.
As seen in: Star Wars: Episode 4 - A New Hope
Why it's great: It's just a neat comedy moment. Han, all hopped up on his own bravado suddenly realises he's out matched and turns tail. It's one of the few times the digital remastered version of the film adds something by showing him discover a huge hall filled with hundreds of 'troopers. The last little touch? Han forgets to warn Chewie and the first the Wookiee knows about it is when Han flies past him in a panic.
