It shouldn’t be a surprise that there is a bit of superhero fatigue at the moment. DC has had a string of critical and commercial failures, from Wonder Woman 1984 to the most recent before this, Shazam: Fury of the Gods. Even Marvel, typically known for their critically and commercially successful films, has been slacking as of late, with their latest, Guardians of the Galaxy 3, being their only highly rated film in some time. Amongst all of this, there is Blue Beetle.
Admittedly, I don’t know much about the comic that this is based on (or really, anything at all). But, through Ángel Manuel Soto‘s careful direction, a tight script that focuses on family, and a well-rounded cast, this is one superhero film that just about pokes its head above the noise.
The Origin Story
Blue Beetle is a familiar origin story. We are first introduced to a mysterious item, resembling a blue scarab, that has been found; and an obviously evil organization that wants to use it to create ill-fitting human weapons, headed by Victoria Kord (the wicked, hammy Susan Sarandon). Our central protagonist is Jaime Reyes (Xolo Maridueña), a young adolescent from Palmera City who has just returned home after completing college.
While on his search for a new job, he encounters Jenny Kord (Bruna Marquezine), the niece of Victoria, who entrusts him with something on a whim. It turns out to be the scarab we saw earlier, and with one touch, it attaches itself to Jaime. Hijincks ensue, and lo and behold, a superhero is born.
It’s a simple origin and one that doesn’t feel particularly unique. But along the way, there is more world-building, including the origin of the scarab, the ties it has to Jenny’s father, and the harm it could cause if Victoria gets ahold of it. But what really distinguishes Blue Beetle is not necessarily the superhero tropes, but instead the focus on the characters who populate its story.
It’s All About Family
The heart of a movie like this, and the emotional resonance as well, is making us care about the characters within it. In past DC films like the aforementioned Shazam sequel, attempts at this are made, but they are half-assed and lost amongst the CGI-ridden action and discussions about gods. In contrast, Blue Beetle puts its characters, and the Reyes family specifically, at the heart of the story. And it’s all the better for it.
Blue Beetle is about the Reyes family, a family from Mexico that lives in the Florida Keys. There is Jaime, our central protagonist, his wisecracking younger sister Milagro (Belissa Escobedo), his seemingly typical Nana (Adriana Barraza), his chaotic uncle Rudy (a scene-stealing George Lopez), and his parents, Rocio (Elpidia Carillo) and Alberto (Damián Alcázar). As a family living together under one roof, they share everything; indeed, even Jaime’s first transformation into the Blue Beetle happens while they are all present, something that is unusual for this type of film. There is also Jenny (Marquezine), the budding love interest for Jaime, who has a unique family connection to the scarab that he becomes fused with, and who finds herself helping the Reyes family.
Throughout Blue Beetle, each member of Jaime’s family has an important role to play, from his very capable Uncle Rudy to his father, to even his elderly Nany. The core cast is devotedly along for the ride, with particular standouts being Xolo Maridueña as the vulnerable young Jaime and George Lopez as his uncle, who gives the film a lot of its more humorous moments. By putting the Reyes family as a whole in the midst of the action, and giving them each their own shining moment, screenwriter Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer and director Soto give the film believable emotional stakes.
Visual Flourishes
Blue Beetle also leans in somewhat to its steampunk origins. Its score is 80s-themed, while its flashy visuals and neon-lit buildings feel like something straight out of Blade Runner. The character himself may feel more modern, as does the present world in which they live, but these attributes help reflect the theme of bringing ideas born out of the past into a more accessible future.
The film’s transformation scenes also reflect this, including in the initial scene, in which the scarab first latches onto Jaime, and in a Kafkaesque/Cronenbergian manner, he becomes fused with it. It’s almost unnerving, at least at first, although it does ease up as the film progresses.
Yet it’s Still a Superhero Film
Even with the strong focus on family and these visual flourishes, Blue Beetle still resemble the plethora of superhero films out there. Whether you prefer Marvel or DC, you can’t argue that even the best of them tend to overdo it on the blurry CGI action, with a third act that is often riddled with it. Blue Beetle isn’t much different in this way, with its final battle being a confusing mess. But it at least has a few tricks up its sleeve.
The Blue Beetle suit is somewhat like DC’s version of Iron Man. Jaime can talk to the voice within it; which can then create a seemingly endless array of weapons to attack enemies with. When Jaime is first discovering this, there are at least a few moments of awe, such as when he discovers he’s bulletproof, or can create any solid matter from his hands. He’s also not completely indestructible, and the suit does show some vulnerability, which adds extra tension to these scenes.
Still, even with the extra effort spent in the visual effects department, I do wish there was just a bit more here, in which Jaime discovers his unique connection to this metal organism. Maybe just a tad more world-building here, or more personality given to the Beetle itself, would’ve helped us to feel the emotional connection that Jaime himself realizes he needs with it. But I guess that’s something better left for the sequel.
Where To From Here?
Speaking of which, what’s unfortunate about Blue Beetle is the timing. At the moment, DC Films is experiencing a shakeup, in which James Gunn, known for Marvel’s Guardians films yet also a creator of DC content, is now their new head. And their plan at this point is to basically reboot the DC Extended Universe in its entirety, with a new Superman film on the horizon and a bunch of others to follow.
Where does Blue Beetle fit amongst this? There are some contrasting opinions amongst the director of this film and the new heads of the studios. Either way, the future of this franchise depends almost entirely on commercial success, which seems to be lacking after a lackluster opening weekend. Here’s to hoping they do more with this story regardless, as I do believe it is one of the more promising origins that DC has made in some time.
Conclusion
To conclude, Blue Beetle is surprisingly memorable. With an emotional family-focused core and some unique visual flourishes, it is a standout amongst recent superhero films. Though its future may be in jeopardy, I’m hoping we still see more of Jaime and the Reyes family in the future. After all, you can’t have that end credits scene and then just leave us hanging.
Blue Beetle is now playing in theaters.
Watch Blue Beetle
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