New on DVD: ‘Solo’ fails to be a galaxy of fun

The latest offering in the “Star Wars” franchise is among the new releases for Sept. 25.

• “Solo: A Star Wars Story” HH: The background of one of the most lovable rogues in the galaxy, Han Solo, is revealed. Alden Ehrenreich turns in a solid performance as Solo, but it isn’t enough to mask all the big problems with the film.

Director Ron Howard, who was brought in after filming had started, shows little self-control with “Solo” as the action scenes go from exciting to boring. His failure to cut the scenes to a proper length starts with the opening chase and continues in a robbery sequence on a trainlike vehicle through a frozen mountain pass. Neither comes to a dramatic conclusion but just fades away.

Part of the problem is the writing. Lawrence Kasdan has shown skill with the “Star Wars” universe through his screenplays for “The Empire Strikes Back,” “Return of the Jedi” and “The Force Awakens.” This time, Kasden and his son, Jonathon, show none of the beauty in storytelling that made the others work. Their “Solo” plodding story plods is too predictable.

• “Hot Summer Nights” HHH: Director/writer Elijah Bynum presents a world where nothing is what it appears to be. Bynum’s begging the viewer not to judge anything based on first impressions.

The production about a socially awkward Daniel Middleton (Timoth?e Chalamet), who in 1991 is sent away his summer before college visiting his aunt on Cape Cod, becomes a study in contrasts made compelling by the central players that also include Alex Roe, Maika Monroe and Maia Mitchell. “Hot Summer Nights” has four major strengths in the young cast.