Fast, funny, and genuinely heartfelt, Blue Beetle stands apart from the crowded superhero movie scene. With a runtime just over two hours, the film maintains a snappy pace that never overstays its welcome. While the story of Jaime Reyes and his symbiotic relationship with a sentient outer-space scarab isn’t entirely unpredictable, it avoids the pitfalls of an eye-rolling origin story by maintaining a deep sense of empathy for its characters. The film’s true strength lies in the strong familial bond at its core.
Xolo Maridueña delivers a refreshing performance as Jaime, infusing the character with a delightful mix of sweet goofiness and genuine concern for his family and community facing gentrification. The stark contrast between the opulent towers of Palmera City and the neighborhoods being priced out adds depth to Jaime’s backstory.
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The tragedy in Jaime’s life lies not in a singular devastating loss or an unhappy home, but in the constant failures of an economic system he’s desperately tried to succeed within. The script, written by Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer, critiques the “American Dream” as Jaime, armed with a college degree and hopes of upward mobility, ends up working as a cleaner in a tech CEO’s mansion.
Amidst its social commentary on class, Blue Beetle offers a thrilling superpowered adventure. The iconic suit, designed by Mayes C. Rubeo (known for works like WandaVision and Thor: Love & Thunder), strikes a balance between technological and organic, satisfying fans of the Blue Beetle comics. The suits of former Beetles, Dan Garrett and Ted Kord, capture the campy essence of 20th-century heroes without crossing into absurdity. The Bug Ship, too, maintains functionality while honoring the silliness of Blue Beetle’s past iterations.
But here’s the thing: Jaime is different from his predecessors. His fusion with the scarab grants him the full power, while Garrett and Kord merely wore technicolor costumes. Under Ángel Manuel Soto’s direction, Jaime’s transformation into the Blue Beetle is genuinely horrifying, evoking the pain of fusion as he is flung around his house. The Reyes family’s reaction, a mix of laughter and visceral disgust, reinforces Jaime’s status as a normal kid caught up in extraordinary circumstances.
Though the “chosen one” aspect of Blue Beetle is predictable, the scarab itself feels sanitized compared to its more hostile comic version. The alien invention, voiced by Becky G, becomes unexpectedly endearing and bilingual, tailored to a wider audience. Unfortunately, this may disappoint comic book readers who expected a more faithful representation.
To anchor Jaime’s unexpected superhero journey, the Reyes family must complement Maridueña’s charisma – and they absolutely do. From the Reyes matriarch Nana, played by Adriana Barraza, to Jaime’s parents and his anarchist uncle Rudy (portrayed by George Lopez) and irreverent younger sister Milagro (played by Belissa Escobedo), the chemistry among the cast is outstanding. This on-screen family feels real – loudly affectionate, fiercely protective, and always talking over each other in excitement.
Belissa Escobedo shines as Milagro, delivering a powerful performance in a moment of grief. George Lopez injects charm into Rudy’s cynicism, embracing his role with eccentricity. The Reyes family isn’t just a backdrop for Jaime; they are an integral part of the film’s narrative.
What makes Blue Beetle truly remarkable is its unapologetic celebration of Latin culture. From the multigenerational household to the pot of Vicks under Jaime’s nose, the film exudes an authentically Latin flavor. The use of both English and Spanish in the dialogue reflects the reality of Spanglish as a hybridization of both languages. There are no forced phrases to remind viewers this is a Mexican-American family; instead, the seamless switching between languages gives a genuine portrayal of bilingualism. This representation is a testament to the importance of diversity in front of and behind the camera.
Ted’s daughter Jenny Kord (played by Bruna Marquezine) falls into the common tropes of a superhero movie love interest and exposition device. In the first half of the film, she mainly serves as a means to deliver the scarab and its history to Jaime. Their romance feels rushed and underdeveloped, lacking depth that could have made it more compelling. However, Jenny becomes more memorable when she becomes a part of the Reyes family, highlighting the true strength of her character.
On the other hand, the motivations of Victoria Kord (played by Susan Sarandon) ultimately prove to be the weakest element of the film. While her initial anger at being passed over for the Kord Industries CEO position due to her gender is intriguing, the character falls flat as a villain. Victoria lacks depth and comes across as a rich, bitchy, and racist antagonist. Sarandon’s performance does its best, but Victoria doesn’t reach her full potential, which impacts the climactic confrontation in the final act.
However, Blue Beetle doesn’t shy away from referencing the historical corporate and military destabilization of Latin American countries by the U.S. While the script sometimes avoids fully confronting systemic oppression, it manages to address these issues in a major superhero film in surprising ways.
Despite its flaws, Blue Beetle is an enjoyable film that resonates with the experience of growing up in a Latin family. It strikes a balance between comedy and authenticity, and serves as a promising launchpad for Xolo Maridueña’s career. Although it doesn’t entirely escape the pitfalls of the genre, the film is elevated by the affectionate Reyes family and their genuine love and support for one another. As the stakes become personal, Blue Beetle showcases just how special it truly is.