The exhilarating ride makes “F1: The Movie” a hot contender this summer. (photo courtesy of Apple TV+)

Let’s have an honest conversation. This hasn’t been a strong summer at the movies. A few options that earned a theatrical run stand out, but overall, mid is the best adjective. Most aren’t terrible, but few stand out. So let’s take a look at very perfectly fine options (and some poor ones) in a summer of mid.

“Karate Kid: Legends”

This is criminal. The sixth “Karate Kid” film (and the first follow-up to the “Cobra Kai” series) wastes an hour. The film marketed in trailers doesn’t arrive until the last 45 minutes. Before that, our young protagonist (Ben Wang) teaches a pizza shop owner kung fu to help him box. There’s more Joshua Jackson in this film than Jackie Chan or Ralph Macchio. It’s a shame. Nothing mid about this tragedy.

“Friendship”

Sketch show “I Think You Should Leave” embraces uncomfortable situational comedy in small doses. Now, its star Tim Robinson stretches cringe humor to extremes, with the help of Paul Rudd. It’s a lot. This kind of humor is an acquired taste – brilliant to a few, mid to most.

“Materialists”

In theory, A24 produced its first romantic comedy. Nope. There’s a touch of romance there – not much, though – but not a laugh is anywhere to be found. With love interests played by internet daddy Pedro Pascal and former Avenger Chris Evans trying to court Dakota Johnson as a matchmaker, what could go wrong? Apparently,­­­­ quite a bit. No energy, no stream, no pulse. This is very basic, slog material.

“The Amateur”

Look, “The Amateur” is better than the “Accountant” films, but not by much. A CIA analyst wants vengeance following his wife’s murder. Without agency support, he goes rogue and stumbles his way to the terrorists responsible. This could be the next Tom Clancy figure or a Jason Bourne with a tech background, but the gaps between thrills get way too chatty. Plenty of big names grace the screen for fewer than five minutes, leaving Rami Malek alone to carry every scene.”

“Final Destination: Bloodlines”

Is this fun for viewers? Some folks and critics enjoy it. “Bloodlines” certainly is the best of a franchise all about creative ways to kill characters in massive Mouse Trap scenarios. Perhaps there’s some appeal there, though this whole franchise feels more empty and tedious than many others. But hey, maybe it’ll prompt a good chat about free will.

“Elio”

Pixar, Pixar, Pixar, please stop with these very mid entries. The premise seems fine: A child is abducted and poses as the leader of Earth. Shenanigans ensue. It’s all very juvenile and thin, leaving little for older audiences to hold onto. It isn’t particularly bad, but long gone are the glory days of “Up,” “Wall-E” and “Ratatouille.” Maybe the once incomparable animators will surprise us. Until then, “Elio” will at least distract the kids for a couple hours.

“The Phoenician Scheme”

This is Wes Anderson at his most Wes Anderson. Gorgeous colors and cinematography, splendid deadpan acting and intentional dialogue both odd and funny. “The Phoenician Scheme” even adds some surrealist fantasies in black and white that might feel out of place. Benicio Del Toro leads a fabulous cast of misfits, most familiar to Anderson’s work, but this is a middling entry that can’t recapture the perfection of former works.

“Clown in a Cornfield”

This one’s mostly in a name: kinda a slasher, but halfway through, the premise shifts. What remains constant: clown-led killings in a cornfield (and surrounding small town) with a host of weaponry and some humorous winks at the prosperous premise along the way.

“Bring Her Back”

The “Talk to Me” directors return with another original horror story that tackles possession. But this one is more mood than jolts. It’s fine, well-acted and intriguing to the end. But it’s more enjoyable to discuss afterwards – debate that ending – than live through a first and second act that are more stressful than horrifying.

“Mission: Impossible – Final Reckoning”

How do you reach nine films – the previous four expertly executed – and go out on such a dull note? Plenty of sequences are fun, but secret agent Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) abandons his team, spending most of the flick solo. There’s no room for anyone else in this story, only Cruise. That’s a frustrating decision amidst a bloated finale that’s nearly three hours long.

“Fight or Flight”

Josh Hartnett sports horrifying dyed blond hair while he takes on assassins in a silly stunt-heavy film almost entirely set in a plane. It’s over the top, unserious and perfect to turn on and tune out.

“F1: The Movie”

Is this a hot take? Not really. “F1” didn’t even turn a profit. Still, “Days of Thunder” for a new generation is fun, but hardly a standout like “Top Gun: Maverick,” Joseph Kosinski’s previous film. Still, Brad Pitt is charming as veteran driver Sonny Hayes, and the rest of the team helps this one reach the finish line atop the pile of mid.