This is a superhero movie that would be a lot better
if it weren’t a superhero movie.
That’s the case with “Blue Beetle.”
In it, Jaime Reyes, played by Miguel from “Cobra Kai,”
Xolo Mariduena, a recent college graduate, gets passed an alien relic called a
scarab, and it chooses him to transform into the Blue Beetle, complete with a
blue suit of armor and the ability to create super weapons.
The first time this happens, he’s in the kitchen with
his Latino family and opens a Big Belly Burger box (which I first heard of from
CW’s “The Flash”) that he’s been given suddenly by Jenny Kord, played by Bruan
Marquezine. The box has the scarab, which Jenny steals from her aunt, Victoria
Kord, played by Susan Sarandon, the evil CEO of Kord Industries.
Jaime doesn’t know the relic is in the burger box, and
Jenny has told him not to open it. But Jaime’s family – mom (Elpidia Carrillo),
dad (Damian Alcazar), sister (Belissa Escobedo), grandmother (Adriana Barraza),
and Uncle Rudy (George Lopez) – insist he sees what’s inside. He does, the beetle
relic sticks to his face, crazy stuff happens, and the family gets frightened.
The Reyes family’s scared reaction is the funniest
scene in this lighter DC film, which is at its best when it focuses on the
family, and (after the first transformation scene) at its most uninspired when
the story changes to superhero action.
Tim Miller said in his review, “In much of the same
way that “Black Panther” was admirably groundbreaking for its Black hero and
depiction of Black culture in what traditionally has been a very white genre, “Blue
Beetle” deserves attention for its emphasis on Latino characters. (As was the case
with “Black Panther,” this shouldn’t be a big deal at this point in history,
but it is.)”
Miller continued, “Aside from its historical
significance, though, the Reyes family is just a lot of fun, especially Mariduena’s
likable, charismatic Jaime; Escobedo’s wisecracking younger sister (who, noting
that Jaime took pre-law in college, asks potential employer Jenny, “You guys
need any pre-lawyers?”); and Lopez’s excitable free spirit, Uncle Rudy, who
tools around in a pickup truck he calls “The Taco”.”
“Blue Beetle’s” director, Angel Manuel Soto, and
screenwriter, Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer, could have made a family comedy with these
charming characters, getting rid of the tired superhero theatrics, and they
might have had a stronger film,
As it is, the film looks at Reyes’ economic/employment
issues, family values over materialism (“Things don’t last; la familia, that’s
forever”), and related themes. “Blue Beetle” is smart, entertaining, and, in
its respect, necessary.
I think that this movie is fun, enjoyable, and funny.
Check this out on Max because I think this is a good film to look at. This has
been getting very good reviews and for a superhero that is a young Latino, I
think this is to be seen. Don’t miss your chance to watch this on Max because I
do think this is one of the better DCEU films.
Spoiler alert: there is a mid-credits scene where
Jenny’s father makes a radio call on the computer in his mansion saying that if
she is watching this, he is alive. I think they are going to include Blue Beetle
in the new DC Universe when that is made. I don’t see any reason why they
wouldn’t since this film is not as bad as some of the previous ones.
Thank you for joining in on this review tonight. Look
out next month to see what I will end the year off with.
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