Blue Beetle comes at an interesting time for DC's cinematic prospects. Serving as an unofficial bridge between the DC Extended Universe that was and the DC Universe to come, the Ángel Manuel Soto-directed film could be the final (non-Aquaman) nail in the coffin or a fun new jumping on point for fans. While Blue Beetle sometimes struggles under the weight of its ambition and world-building, the film is likely to win fans over. With creative and fun touches from Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer's script, the film is a fun riff on the superhero genre with a lot on its mind. Blue Beetle's charm elevates its basic structure with a distinct perspective.
Upon graduating from university, the good-hearted Jamie Reyes (Xolo Maridueñ) returns to Paloma City to discover his family is in financial straits. Desperate to help, Jamie takes any job he can get and ends up encountering Jenny Kord (Bruna Marquezine). Taking her up on an off-the-cuff offer for employment, Jamie is inadvertently given a mysterious Scarab she stole from the labs from her cruel and ambitious aunt, Victoria (Susan Sarandon). When the Scarab fuses with Jamie, he finds himself upgraded with an amazing suit capable of incredible feats -- as well as the voice of the mysterious Khaji-Da (Becky G) in his head. But this development also plants a massive target on his back and that of his family -- with Victoria relying on her ruthless and cybernetically upgraded agent Conrad (Raoul Max Trujillo) to hunt him down.
Blue Beetle features a lot of classic superheroic tropes. It's effectively a medley of previous entries in the genre, as much indebted to prior DCEU movies as it is to films like Iron Man and Spider-Man: Homecoming. Jamie bears some good similarities to the MCU Peter Parker, with his extended family -- including his sweet-natured father Alberto (Damián Alcázar), dependable mother Rocio (Elpidia Carrillo), snarky sister Milagro (Belissa Escobedo), kooky inventor uncle Tito (George Lopez), and surprisingly capable Nana (Adriana Barraza) -- serving as his charming and comedic supporting cast.
The plot of the film takes more than a few thematic cues from Iron Man, including a critical eye on the industrial war complex and a third act with Blue Beetle's personal opposite engaging in a nighttime CGI face-off. The film's surprisingly lengthy run-time -- running over two hours -- doesn't do it any favors. The movie struggles to keep track of its many moving parts. There'd comedy sequences with the Reyes family, lore dumps and world-building with the Kords, and plenty of fresh-faced heroics courtesy of an overwhelmed Jamie. For anyone who has seen other entries in the genre, it can feel old hat. What elevates Blue Beetle is the focus on authenticity in the presentation and the charming characters.
The entire cast is having fun with their very straightforward roles. Lopez leans into his role with so much fervor and palpable joy that it's hard not to fall in love with the performance. Blue Beetle has a lot on its mind, quietly touching on gentrification, casual racism, and the ramifications of countless conflicts in South America. A stronger focus on those genuinely compelling elements could have made the movie stronger -- but it does offer Blue Beetle some personal touches other superhero films don't always achieve. Ángel Manuel Soto directs the film well, with some beautifully realized visual beats helping break up some strong fight scenes and more pedestrian comedy sequences.
Blue Beetle's effects are most engaging when they embrace unique touches. Jamie's ability to create whatever he can think of becomes a genuine blast for the VFX team, even as the script relies on some tired elements for the third act. In these moments, Blue Beetle has the most fun, plugging into a dorky and endearing energy that blends well with the overall tone and allowing the dramatic beats to land with stronger effect. Blue Beetle can occasionally feel bloated and bland in its bare-bones elements, with a lot of ideas it wants to explore but can't commit to. But a film with a lot to say (and not enough time to say it all) is better than one without. This distinct sense of identity and personality helps the movie stand out. A fun (if predictable) entry in the DC cosmology, Blue Beetle is nevertheless a fun new addition to the genre that begs for a bigger and more focused spotlight.
Blue Beetle is in theaters now.