UNITED STATES: DC released Blue Beetle, and much like most of its previous films, no one came to watch! Ever wondered if there will be any superhero flicks that will provide a unique experience or if Hollywood has tried something new lately with this genre? Guess what? Blue Beetle doesn’t answer the question but forces us to think about it.
Blue Beetle: A film that avoids cliches but becomes typical
The Ángel Manuel Soto-directed DC feature brings a superhero tale, placing Xolo Maridueña in the lead, where his life changes from that of ordinary teenager Jaime Reyes to that of symbiotic protector Blue Beetle.
Avoiding the superhero cliches, Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer adds something new to the writing section where he erases the whole thing, which includes the protagonist’s family being unaware of his alter ego. In Blue Beetle, Gareth adds the Reyes family as a crucial part of the story.
In addition to Maridueña doing a decent job as Blue Beetle, Adriana Barraza, Damián Alcázar, George Lopez, Elpidia Carrillo, and Belissa Escobedo give commendable performances. The whole family aspect adds a tone of fun, light-hearted comedic elements that keep us invested in the characters.
Whenever a single character from the Reyes family appears on the screen, a laugh riot is guaranteed, with a bit of emotional touch at the climax. All credit must go to the writer for including a loveable blend of family values that is mostly missing from Hollywood.
Ángel Manuel Soto, as a man in the director’s chair, tries to do something unique with the setting and premise. Most of his vision can be seen in the lead character, Blue Beetle, which progresses with the plot. The filmmaker attempts to take a different route with action sequences too, but it feels a bit generic. The hand combat scenes avoid falling into the choppy action zone, which glues our eyes to the screen.
Blue Beetle, which is a DC feature, lands in a Marvel zone when it comes to the villain. Raoul Trujillo, as Conrad Carapax, has the same powers, or in particular, the same suit, as Beetle, but he is bad for the sake of the plot. Gareth adds a bit of backstory to redeem the character, but it doesn’t work and feels rushed.
The costume of Carapax appears to be that of a Power Ranger villain with a caricaturish design. Most of the gadgets or “cool tech” portrayed in the featurette are too colourful and childish.
Verdict:
Xolo Maridueña starrer Blue Beetle is a decent DC superhero feature with loveable characters as members of the Reyes family. However, the weak villain made us aware of the lethargic writing skills that make us tired while witnessing the story on screen. It’s a fun popcorn flick with a typical story that we’ll forget after some time.
Transcontinental Times rating: 3.5/5
