Blue Beetle

Story: Jaime (Xolo Maridueña) is bestowed with unpredictable powers when he encounters a mysterious alien relic.

Review: Jaime Reyes has stars in his eyes and aims for a plush job to elevate his family from their life of struggle. His dad, Alberto (Damián Alcázar), has heart issues, but that doesn’t stop the loving father from keeping a positive outlook. Thanks to Jaime’s sister Milagro (Belissa Escobedo), the recent graduate takes on a low-level gig tending to the mansion of Victoria Kord (Susan Sarandon), the CEO of Kord Industries. He meets Victoria’s niece Jenny Kord (Bruna Marquezine) there, and the two hit it off immediately. But instead of making his way into the multi-billion dollar corporation, Jaime accidentally bonds with a biotechnological alien scarab known as Khaji-Da.

Xolo Maridueña pours his heart into the role of Jaime Reyes and Blue Beetle with a lot of intensity and charisma. His commitment is palpable in a star-making performance. Through Maridueña, Jaime makes quite an impression and is a well-earned addition to the DC Universe with a promising future for both the character and the actor. Susan Sarandon brings her own edge but is relegated to generic power-hungry villainy with her evil tycoon Victoria Kord. As a bad guy, Carapax (Raoul Max Trujillo) fares better with his tragic motivations, but that emotional connection is diminished once the masks are on.

To that effect, ‘Blue Beetle’ tells a much better story when it sticks to the Reyes family dynamics with the scope focused on them rather than the larger baddie stuff. The film’s family values are rooted in Latin American culture, which director Angel Manuel Soto celebrates. This brings value to the screenplay, giving it its own distinctive tone. Each family member has a significant role, getting their time in the spotlight. George Lopez’s excellent comedic talents keep hitting a sweet spot, while Adriana Barraza’s Gatling-gun granny stands out.

Nonetheless, the similarities between this origin tale and certain others are undeniable. It takes many cues from other films that have done this all before. But that’s not entirely a bad thing since Blue Beetle’s family dynamic adds an appealing spin. However, it can’t escape the third-act climax woes which are par for the course of such movies. Some VFX looks rough and unfinished, especially in one crucial scene. Thankfully, the superhero design and suit look sharp, and each transformation scene is quite effective. Although it is uncertain where this hero falls into DCU’s reboot and doesn’t reinvent the wheel of origin stories, ‘Blue Beetle’ has a lot of fun introducing this new character.