Blue Beetle
Blue Beetle is playing in theaters at the time of writing. Rated PG-13. Common Sense says 12.
STORY: B-
Blue Beetle uses a lot of familiar pieces from other superhero movies. An evil weapons manufacturer plots to take over the world. An idealistic family member tries to stop said evil weapons manufacturer. And of course - the classic - a regular every day dude who suddenly receives superpowers he doesn’t want, but who eventually learns how to use them and joins the fight to save the world.
Some filmmakers think throwing a bunch of these familiar pieces together is all it takes to make a great superhero movie. Those filmmakers are wrong (see: Black Adam). Good filmmakers realize that these parts don’t make the story. They only form a foundation, which you can then use to tell a great story (see: Black Panther).
Blue Beetle is more Black Panther than Black Adam. It uses a familiar superhero story structure to tell a surprisingly poignant story about the power and beauty of family.
PEOPLE: B+
Xolo Maridueña delivers a wonderful performance as Jaime. His wide-eyed optimism never wavers despite the many hurdles thrown his way. What’s most impressive is the way he confidently carries the lead while never doing so at the expense of overshadowing the other actors.
The family as a whole actually feels like the main character. Each one of them is a treasure. Damián Alcázar shines as Jaime’s father. Adrianna Barraza slays as Nana. But George Lopez’s Uncle Rudy and his comic timing steal every scene he’s in.
FILM NERD STUFF: B-
In movies, music often acts as an emotional flare gun. Scary music signals that a jump scare is right around the corner. Sad music signals that you better make sure the tissues are nearby.
The images of Jaime thrashing around as the Scarab takes control of his body are pretty terrifying. His family looks on, helpless and horrified. But director Angel Manuel Soto doesn’t want you to feel that way, because that’s not what this movie is.
So Soto starts spinning some upbeat Mexican guitars and horns. All of a sudden a teenager being slammed into the ceiling seems comical. The horrified looks on his family’s faces actually make us chuckle. The juxtaposition of what we see and what we hear makes us feel an emotion that we don’t really have a word for, but would probably be best described as “super into it!”.
In this instance, Soto doesn’t use the music as a flare gun. He uses it more like a self-driving car, guiding us to whatever destination he’s has punched in.
FAMILY TIES (Elective Class): A-
The Reyeses make the list of my favorite movie families ever.
I couldn’t ask for more from a fictional movie family. Every one of them is so cool, they could have their own spinoff. The teasing and facepalm-inducing insults arrive early and often. And the grand, cinematic gesture of familial love that usually happens a couple minutes after a movie’s climax? It’s beautiful, moving, and executed perfectly (I won’t spoil it, but it’s the moment where one of the characters realizes what his/her purpose is).
Superhero stories are modern day myths. They’re stories designed to reflect our beliefs and values. Part of America’s mythos is the idea of the rugged individualist: a person who single handedly overcomes significant obstacles and changes the world. Think Davy Crockett. Steve Jobs. Elvis Presley. Think Batman. Spider-Man. Superman.
Our society often struggles to accept that sometimes it’s ok to rely on others. We don’t always need to take on the world by ourselves. I’m not anti-rugged individualism, but I am anti-believing that it’s the only way to achieve prosperity and success.
We can rise higher by lifting each other up than by tearing each other down. We can let others take the wheel for a bit when we’re exhausted. We can work together to do more than we ever could on our own. We can live the way the Reyeses do.
FINAL COMMENTS:
The pressure this film is facing to resurrect the DCEU is unfair. No single movie is capable of fixing that hot mess by itself. But Blue Beetle is a solid step in the right direction.
Film fans and studio suits everywhere should heed this film’s lessons about family and working together. If surrounded by a family of quality films, Blue Beetle might just be remembered for getting the DCEU back on track.