Movie Review: Blue Beetle Brings Latino Pride & Breathe To CB Films
When it comes to Blue Beetle, it arrives at a time where not only DC NEEDS a REAL save, but comic book films in general. Let’s be honest! Nowadays, to go to the movies, is to see a comic book film, and while some will say that is what is murdering cinema, frankly, I feel it has slowed its death. Between rising ticket prices, streaming wars, and the fact that tv is beating film in terms of better content, CB films provide a sense of epicness and continuity that make the overpriced popcorn and gallon of soda you bought for your 3 jittery kids worth it. If going to the movies is harder and feels more like an event… well.. let’s go to an EVENT! Yet, lately, even Marvel has felt stale, *coughs Secret Invasion,* but Blue Beetle feels like a return to basics.
Avengers: Infinity War changed the GAME. It was almost TOO big and spectacular. From visual effects to story, sometimes, the best way to outshine your brightest light is to actually get a little dimmer. In essence, don’t go bigger… go basic. Out August 17, Blue Beetle feels like a return to Spiderman: Homecoming or even the Tobey McGuire era, which only amplifies how cool it is he is the FIRST LATINO, live-action superhero to grace screens. For me, the Spiderman films launched comic book movies to a whole other, modern scale that can only compared to the Christopher Reeves´ turn as Superman. We were invested in a character like he was our brother as much as our hero, and it launched a curiosity for others like him. Blue Beetle does that thanks to Xolo Maridueña´s PHENOMENAL performance.
THIS KID IS A SUPERSTAR! It is undeniable by the way he carries both this film, and Cobra Kai, that he is someone to watch.He he gives you those Tobey McGuire/ Tom Holland vibes of innocent, smart, and all-around good person, which are not qualities often found in Latino Representation, if we get any. One of the marvels of Blue Beetle is not simply how it grounds itself in the heart of its lead character more than its story, something many CB films have stopped doing. Yet, Blue Beetle adds a new note that Spiderman did, as well, but goes even further…. FAMILY!
The success Superman & Lois, on the CW, I attribute to its thematics on family, which is a curious note in the comic book world. Often, we find our characters do not have one, lost theirs, or have very few and are not on speaking terms. Obviously, as a CB reader, I take what is given, but it is always curious to imagine characters with superpowers going to their Tio´s house for some barabacoa. Blue Beetle shines not only in highlighting the heart of Latino families, but giving us a superhero who is 100% backed by a supportive crew of people that will always save him as he saves us. There is something so special, heartwarming, and, of course, funny because when you have family in the form of Adriana Barraza´s Nana Reyes, Melissa Escobedo Milagro Reyes, and George Lopez´s Rudy Reyes , you got a solid family of laughs.
I found Blue Beetle to be refreshing and innovative, oddly, because it was not. Now, comic book films are a spectacle and amidst them are ones that are spectacular. Yet, sometimes, you really just want to breathe, and watch somebody grow, even if its with a high-tech alien Scarab voiced by Becky G that overtakes your body and makes you do incredible things. Blue Beetle Comes out August 18.
