Blue Beetle (2023) | Film Review

Hello, reader. I am back. I know you might have been wondering where I have been. “Was he captured by circus chimps and held hostage?” “Was he exploring the reaches of space?” “Was there some kind of accident that made it impossible to write?!” Well, it was a combination of all those and worse, but here I am – ready and excited to present my thoughts on DC’s newest hero coming to the big screen, Blue Beetle. Ready?! Yeah, me too.

We open on an island location of sorts. A fancy Tri-Copter, all lit up with neon lights (because, of course, those lights make it cooler), lands, and the ominous music intensifies. Victoria Kord, portrayed by the ever-radiant Susan Sarandon, steps out. She is met by Carapax, a man with a name and enough robotic appendages that scream “I’m the heavy!” Carapax is portrayed by Raoul Max Trujillo. Looking at his IMDB page, it’s clear he understands that his resting bad guy face keeps getting him cast in these sorts of roles. The two exchange words that are typical of bad guys, and they are joined by Not Dr. Sanchez, a character that’s a delightful surprise in the movie (I won’t spoil it), portrayed by the sweetly charismatic Harvey Guillen. There’s talk about finding a scarab, accompanied by visuals that lead us to the scarab. Then, the scarab takes us through the opening credits, visually narrating the story of how this thing is not of this earth. The opening credits conclude, along with the visual storytelling, and we meet the star of the show, Jaime Reyes, and his adorable family.

Jaime, portrayed by Xolo Maridueña, has recently graduated from college, and his family is relieved to have him back home. They allow him some time to enjoy tacos before they deliver the unfortunate news that they’re on the brink of losing their home. Being the responsible and caring son that he is, Jaime takes it upon himself to try and salvage the family’s situation. However, his first job turns out to be somewhat ambiguous – is he a cleaner, a gardener, a pool attendant, or perhaps all the above? Essentially, it’s a stereotypical job that seems to befit a recent college graduate of Latin descent (or at least that’s the impression they gave me).

Quickly growing disenchanted with the job and feeling underutilized, Jaime and his sister Milagro, portrayed by the charming Belissa Escobedo, take some liberties in the home they are working at – which happens to belong to Victoria Kord. In an unexpected turn of events, Jaime finds himself in a situation where he steps up for Jenny Kord (Bruna Marquezine, who happens to wear some of the most stylish shoes – though don’t ask me why I noticed that, I couldn’t tell you). Jenny, grateful for Jaime’s intervention yet feeling responsible for his job loss, instructs Jaime to meet her at Kord Industries, where she promises to find him employment.

Jaime arrives at the designated location, meets up with Jenny, who has managed to steal the scarab and stow it away in a Big Belly Burger box (DC’s equivalent of McDonald’s, which oddly sounds appealing right now). Hurriedly, she hands the box to Jaime, urging him to guard it without opening it. Thanks to the curious nature of his family, they do open it, introducing us to the scarab, and along with it, the thrill of Jaime’s first transformation into Blue Beetle.

From there, the story follows the usual twists and turns that comic book movies often take. However, the way they present the narrative carries a light and enjoyable atmosphere, devoid of the typical “I’m a reluctant hero who has endured a difficult life” theme. Please understand, Jaime is indeed a reluctant hero, but Xolo Maridueña approaches it with the grace of someone raised in a loving family, and each member has paid a significant price for the comfortable life they now enjoy. Theirs is a family that embodies resilience in the face of adversity and love.

This story falls into the category where the antagonist ends up possessing the same powers as the protagonist – a dynamic I sometimes appreciate, and in this case, it fits well. The main villain even engages in a bit of mustache-twirling, which suits the story nicely. Overall, this narrative is bound to capture your heart and leave you sporting a silly grin throughout.

You might be wondering, “That’s all well and good, but how are the visuals?” Let me tell you, in the past year or so, we’ve witnessed some truly disappointing visual presentations. Both DC and Marvel have opted for the quickest and most economical choices in their recent offerings. I’m pleased to inform you that this film doesn’t fall into that category. The city of Palmera, a fictional location in the DC Universe, is vibrant and lively. It’s as if the individuals who enjoy adorning lowriders with neon lights decided to extend that concept to architecture. Personally, I find it appealing; it possesses a flair and style that resonates with me and aligns with my visual preferences.

The costume strikes an effective balance between practicality and special effects. Throughout the film, I was never once distracted by anything that could diminish the visual experience. Moreover, the visuals didn’t obstruct or overshadow the acting in any way.

Speaking of the acting, it’s challenging to single out just one or two standout performances; everyone delivered commendably in this regard. The Reyes family felt authentic, encompassing the sister who manages to make positive news sound negative, the father who makes decisions based on what’s right rather than what’s easy, and the abuelita with an intriguing and unconventional backstory. (Fun fact: I had a relative like that; in her 70s, she had to leave her home country due to being falsely branded as a terrorist, or so the legend goes.) Lastly, while the villains may be somewhat cookie cutter, they remain solid characters nonetheless.

What “nice-to-have” elements could we have seen in this movie? Well, personally, I believe that Khaji-Da (voiced by Becky G, whom you might recall from the Power Rangers movie… oh, you didn’t watch it? That’s understandable, but she delivered a good performance) – the scarab – should have played a more significant role throughout the film. In the movie, they do mention it: the scarab is a weapon capable of devastating the world. Khaji-Da’s stance is along the lines of “If you eliminate everything, you won’t need to seek answers.” It’s the unique dynamic between Jaime, a person nurtured with love and morals, and Khaji-Da, a world-destroying weapon, as depicted in the comics, that adds an enjoyable layer to the Blue Beetle narrative. It’s akin to Pinocchio, except Jiminy Cricket serves as both the puppet and the conscience, while Pinocchio wouldn’t hesitate to obliterate you from orbit. As a dedicated comic enthusiast, this would be on my wish list, even though it doesn’t alter my overall feelings.

It brims with heart, enjoyment, and the theme of family. The film is acutely aware of its purpose and executes its intentions skillfully. Most importantly, Blue Beetle proves to be an exceptional example of a “comic book movie.”