Blue Beetle": Struggling to Soar in the Shadow of DC Titans

 

Two months after the disappointing performance of "The Flash" at the box office, "Blue Beetle" takes flight as the latest DC superhero movie to test the notion that life is challenging for heroes not named Superman, Batman, or Wonder Woman. This young Latinx superhero faces a unique challenge – the dominance of TV superheroes – making many wonder if the movie would have found a better fit on platforms like Disney+ (Marvel's domain) or the CW.

In its current form, the most defining aspect of the movie becomes its heavy reliance on the family dynamic, initially providing emotional depth but gradually devolving into a sense of absurdity as the plot meanders. The core premise – a young man stumbling upon a remarkable artifact that grants him incredible powers – relegates the protagonist to a rather passive role for much of the film, with his suit doing the lion's share of the action.

"Blue Beetle" appears to be geared for primetime television, akin to the approach taken by "Ms. Marvel." However, it seems less suited for the big screen in light of lackluster receptions for similar-themed DC films such as the "Shazam!" sequel and the more engrossing "The Flash."

One area where "Blue Beetle" does succeed is in its casting, with Xolo Maridueña ("Cobra Kai") portraying Jaime Reyes, a recent college graduate returning home to a barrage of bleak economic news. Struggling to aid his family, he encounters Jenny Kord (Bruna Marque), the inheritor of a vast, enigmatic conglomerate led by Victoria Kord (Susan Sarandon), fixated on obtaining the Scarab, an extraterrestrial artifact central to her sinister schemes.

The Scarab eventually ends up with Jaime, forming a symbiotic connection that evokes memories of the classic show "Greatest American Hero." Jaime's natural reaction is to break free from this binding, but the suit – visually striking yet somewhat vague in its abilities – communicates with him while comically propelling him around town.

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Amid Jaime's attempts to understand his newfound powers, he leans on his sister (Belissa Escobedo of "Hocus Pocus 2") and eccentric uncle (a spirited George Lopez) for guidance. However, his focus inevitably shifts towards countering the threat posed by Victoria, a lackluster antagonist who turns Sarandon into a character reminiscent of a villain from a children's story.

Director Angel Manuel Soto injects significant energy into the movie's action sequences, while the script by Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer cleverly incorporates nods to the character's extensive, geeky legacy. Fans will delight in identifying veteran DC aficionados as they chuckle at glimpses of the original costume.

Yet, "Blue Beetle" excels most in its quieter moments, underscoring the inherent constraints of this concept, exacerbated by the deluge of comparable content driven by streaming services. The movie's cultural richness adds value but feels rushed in a format that lacks the breathing room of a series, demanding a swift progression to the next confrontation.

Ultimately, the landscape has shifted since "Shazam!" pleasantly surprised audiences in 2019, and the expectations for theatrical superhero outings have risen significantly. While "Blue Beetle" may possess the potential to soar to great heights, it stumbles when it comes to surmounting the considerable hurdle presented by these changing cinematic standards.