Underappreciated Superhero Gold (Blue Beetle - review)

DC is in a tough spot with the new reboot and the constant disinterest in the movies they have been providing, which is unfortunate since films like Shazam and The Flash, despite not being DC's best, had their credits due. Blue Beetle, however, should not be considered a part of that list of DC's mid-to-bad entries for it manages to pull through with its fresh takes on overdone superhero cliches that have managed to make the genre what it is today.

Based on an obscure character from the DC catalog, the movie adapts the most recent iteration of the character, Jaime Reyes, who takes up the moniker after unintentionally finding a scarab that symbiotically fuses with him to become the Blue Beetle. This is very much an origin story that takes cues from other superhero movies, but it does not seem like a carbon copy of methods that worked for superhero movies, thrown in a blender to finish a script the same way Black Adam did. The film manages to capture what made superhero movies special in the first place by emphasizing and improving these plot points that work for the genre as well as the film known for its own credit. Unfortunately, unnecessary superhero fatigue is hindering it from getting the reception it should be receiving. 

Xolo Mariduena (Cobra Kai) is the actual heart of this story, he is a tour de force, proving he is not another TV star who can only play TV roles. Mariduena is charming, endearing, and has a command onscreen that fits well to be a superhero that represents tweens all around. Seemingly having the possible star power and presence in this film the way Tom Holland did all those years ago in Civil War, it will be an injustice to not have Mariduena not reprise this role once again in a future entry, whether part of James Gunn’s DCU or just in a standalone sequel.

Unlike most films where the family members are considered as side characters that heavily influence the protagonist in whatever way a parent sibling or mentor can, Jaime’s family very much is involved in the superhero shenanigans that ensue here. Like Marvel’s Ms. Marvel/Kamala Khan, there’s no stopping an eccentric family like Jaime’s from knowing their child is a superhero and would want to be there to support him. From his struggling parents, moody sister, theorist enthusiast uncle, and violent Nana, Jaime does not suffer through the idea of having to have internal struggles of having a double life to keep loved ones alive – and we all know how that usually turns out for most of our well-known superheroes. The film does portray that consequence well by allowing Jaime to not carry that weight alone. It is also hard not to remember this film for the supporting characters for everyone is memorable and play a big part in the film. Most of the comedy comes from the family but that makes it worthwhile. All in all, the representation of a Latino family is executed beautifully.

Blue Beetle does not entirely suffer from the villain problem. Susan Sarandon does capture the cliché of villainous, power-hungry-CEO-of-a-ridiculously-named-company well but she is not the villain to look out for. It is her main henchman, Carapax, who takes up the mantle of the multifaceted antagonist by having character development. Their twisted partnership itself will leave viewers confused as to how they were meant to be portrayed but the more you get to know him, you will get an idea as to what is going on there, messed up as it may be. Contrasting that, the film also does not disappoint with its blooming romance, in this case, done between Jaime and Jenny's chemistry together. Their 'will they, won’t they' quality that goes back and forth in this narrative keeps audiences on their toes which helps with their palpable tension as a duo. It also helps that these two actors are attractive in their own right, gaining more fans based on this fictional relationship itself.

Also, unlike most DC films in the SnyderVerse, Blue Beetle is very much on the lighter side of storytelling, having the right amount of humor and fluff to provide the audience with a good time. Despite the lighter tone, Blue Beetle does go hard on certain elements, whether you see it as cliché or not. It gets dark when it wants to, and these elements work very well with the story. There’s also a smidge of body horror that will appeal well enough nor will it scar the lives of the children watching it. Speaking of Latino representation, the film also tackles the struggles, worries, and strife an immigrant family resides in America.

Other parts of the film also worked, especially with the way the suit looked. It does seem a bit jarring that Jaime can seemingly do whatever he wants with that suit on, having no limits whatsoever, or so we know, it does look good, from the design, and the way it moves (despite most of the scenes involving it include CGI) and the way it pops on screen. Like the rest of the aesthetic of the film, the lit-up suit works well with the neon ambiance that circulates throughout the film which brings about a kind of 80’s nostalgia to the film. So does the score composed by Bobby Krlic that brings up bombastic tones that pay tribute to that era of films, the same way Kyle Dixon and Michael Stein do in their scores for Stranger Things.

As I said, Blue Beetle is a great movie that reminds audiences of the superhero charm, if not improves on it with its representation, great story, and a great cast of characters that elevate the film altogether. It would be such a waste to see such an endearing story not be expanded further with what is introduced here. Blue Beetle is recommended highly for family time at the cinema or even among friends. It would be a shame to have a great film be underappreciated for the faults of studios and other films of a similar franchise that did not deliver.