939 reviews
I found Blue Beetle as the most basic teenage superhero origins story that are no longer special, and it leaves me no impress whatsoever because we all already way too familiar with this type of story, it's predictable and literally nothing new, it's bland and the action was boring, my face was literally straight the whole time, and the villain was also meh, what i like about Blue Beetle was the family dynamic that's definitely there, and the family itself as their own was good enough, Bruna Markuezine was good, including Xolo Maridueña himself was good and just if his story wasn't the same like most of teenage superhero origins story, Blue Beetle would've been something else because what i do like again was some of the cinematography, editing, the Blue Beetle suit was amazing and i really love it, and the special effects for the most part was good, but again overall i just can't found something new in terms of story, and it would've been just an ok movie but it's too bad that the action was boring and the comedy also didn't work, the villain wasn't that good, so it is what it is unfortunately, Blue Beetle is not a bad movie, it's a basic teenage superhero origins that fills with ok performances but a predictable and unoriginal story and also boring action and uninteresting villain.
- HabibieHakim123
- Aug 17, 2023
- Permalink
"Blue Beetle" is simply B or even C grade super hero movie with some charm along the way. I don't think it will be realistic to expect something else to be honest. The trailers showed that pretty well in my opinion.
The tone of the movie is close to that of "Shazam!", given the fact that the family got bigger role in it again, that said the story is not all that good. Not that "Shazam!" got some epic story, but I think it was one idea better.
The cast is fine, maybe the best part of the movie is the family dynamic, except when they lean too much to the melodrama side. Xolo Maridueña as Jaime/Blue Beetle and George Lopez are the standouts no doubt.
The villain is everything you ca expect from B grade super hero movie, from the introduction, through his motivation, the fights and the conclusion is nothing particularly memorable.
I must say the suit looks great when is practical and not CGI all over the place. There are some cool fight scenes with our protagonist, most of which are shown in the trailers, which is kinda of a shame.
There are plenty of jokes in the movie, but for me, most of them doesn't land. I mean they are too childish. I guess the younger auditory will laugh out hard, but me and my cinema crowd were silent most of the time. Of course there were funny moments, but don't expect "Deadpool" level laughs if you are a bit older.
The movie is not bad, but it's kinda cringe, predictable and given the fact that the audience know this genre already, they expect something more clever, which sadly to report "Blue Beetle" is not.
There are already enough talks about the future of this character, is it part of the DCEU or DCU, will there be a sequel, or the character will transfer in the newly formed universe? If you ask me, there will not be a second movie, because this one will bomb hard, also, I'm not sure how you can do clean slate without the bagage of the previous universe, when you always lean to what was, not what it can be. In other words there is always a chance to see Blue Beetle again, but who will portray it and will the origin story be 1:1 identical is something I'm not sure about and I don't hold my breath for it.
In conclusion the movie is "okay", got its moments, but there is nothing really memorable, also there are two credit scenes, which are fine I guess.
The tone of the movie is close to that of "Shazam!", given the fact that the family got bigger role in it again, that said the story is not all that good. Not that "Shazam!" got some epic story, but I think it was one idea better.
The cast is fine, maybe the best part of the movie is the family dynamic, except when they lean too much to the melodrama side. Xolo Maridueña as Jaime/Blue Beetle and George Lopez are the standouts no doubt.
The villain is everything you ca expect from B grade super hero movie, from the introduction, through his motivation, the fights and the conclusion is nothing particularly memorable.
I must say the suit looks great when is practical and not CGI all over the place. There are some cool fight scenes with our protagonist, most of which are shown in the trailers, which is kinda of a shame.
There are plenty of jokes in the movie, but for me, most of them doesn't land. I mean they are too childish. I guess the younger auditory will laugh out hard, but me and my cinema crowd were silent most of the time. Of course there were funny moments, but don't expect "Deadpool" level laughs if you are a bit older.
The movie is not bad, but it's kinda cringe, predictable and given the fact that the audience know this genre already, they expect something more clever, which sadly to report "Blue Beetle" is not.
There are already enough talks about the future of this character, is it part of the DCEU or DCU, will there be a sequel, or the character will transfer in the newly formed universe? If you ask me, there will not be a second movie, because this one will bomb hard, also, I'm not sure how you can do clean slate without the bagage of the previous universe, when you always lean to what was, not what it can be. In other words there is always a chance to see Blue Beetle again, but who will portray it and will the origin story be 1:1 identical is something I'm not sure about and I don't hold my breath for it.
In conclusion the movie is "okay", got its moments, but there is nothing really memorable, also there are two credit scenes, which are fine I guess.
- MiroslavKyuranov
- Aug 15, 2023
- Permalink
Anyone who follows DC or even comics as a whole, knows how promising of a character Blue Beetle is in the comics-verse. Guy has been a featuring member of Teen Titans for decades, holding his own as one of the coolest drawn characters that has a very interesting backstory regarding an alien symbiote. The character had immense potential to be turned into a promising live-action film-series out of it. And frankly speaking, I think the cast choice was good as well - they could've pulled off the hype. The only thing that ruined this film, however, is the writing. It's terrible - felt so rushed and low-depth at some points that you'd feel like pausing to not continue watching anymore. CGI was bad for some parts too, but that can still be overlooked as most of it gets the job done quite well. But the writing, man, it's awful. DCU won't have much to build on if they continue doing such pathetic job at writing stories like this.
DCEU's 2023 has been at a dipping point. With the disappointment of Shazam! Fury of the Gods, in which the first one I really loved, and the somewhat decent of a Flash movie, it seems like the way the franchise is ending doesn't seem like a bang. Fortunately, Blue Beetle has already come out oh boy did it not disappoint.
Now let me preface this: it is by no means a classic nor is it groundbreaking in the superhero genre. At the end of the day, I just want to have a good time in the theaters and, for the most part, it succeeds in what I'm aiming for: a fun time.
Xolo Maridueña as the titular young Iron Man-like superhero, alter-ego Jaime Reyes, was really good. He brings a lot of energy to his performance filled with charisma, awkwardness and relatability because of his love for his family.
Speaking of family, everyone was really good playing in their respective roles but George Lopez was easily the standout because of how funny his lines and reactions are towards Jaime.
And the theme of the family is really at the center of Blue Beetle, it's really hard not to ignore it which is similar to Shazam. But as the film moves on, it does feel like everything that was done to make this possible was filled with heart by the filmmakers and knew just to be simply entertaining, hitting at all the right beats to make you laugh and cry.
The pacing was surprisingly good as to how they were able to fill in the runtime which doesn't make it feel like two hours at all as you are watching it. It's like it took two to three days in the story, if you look at the second to the third act. That was really impressive.
Visuals are great and the action sequences are really good to look at. Props to the director of photography, who by the way did Hereditary and Midsommar - yeah, let that sink in.
Of course, the film is not without its faults. It is cheesy at times, does feel generic and doesn't seem like it wants to outshine the rest of the films not just in DC but everything superhero in general. But my personal issue would have to be how they handled Susan Sarandoncs character and the nemesis of Jaime. While I get where they are going, it felt like it needed to be more compelling and not just some cartoony villains.
But by the end, I walked out of Blue Beetle thinking how good it was to see an enjoyable film with the message of family that hit me emotionally. Would I recommend the movie? Yes.
Now let me preface this: it is by no means a classic nor is it groundbreaking in the superhero genre. At the end of the day, I just want to have a good time in the theaters and, for the most part, it succeeds in what I'm aiming for: a fun time.
Xolo Maridueña as the titular young Iron Man-like superhero, alter-ego Jaime Reyes, was really good. He brings a lot of energy to his performance filled with charisma, awkwardness and relatability because of his love for his family.
Speaking of family, everyone was really good playing in their respective roles but George Lopez was easily the standout because of how funny his lines and reactions are towards Jaime.
And the theme of the family is really at the center of Blue Beetle, it's really hard not to ignore it which is similar to Shazam. But as the film moves on, it does feel like everything that was done to make this possible was filled with heart by the filmmakers and knew just to be simply entertaining, hitting at all the right beats to make you laugh and cry.
The pacing was surprisingly good as to how they were able to fill in the runtime which doesn't make it feel like two hours at all as you are watching it. It's like it took two to three days in the story, if you look at the second to the third act. That was really impressive.
Visuals are great and the action sequences are really good to look at. Props to the director of photography, who by the way did Hereditary and Midsommar - yeah, let that sink in.
Of course, the film is not without its faults. It is cheesy at times, does feel generic and doesn't seem like it wants to outshine the rest of the films not just in DC but everything superhero in general. But my personal issue would have to be how they handled Susan Sarandoncs character and the nemesis of Jaime. While I get where they are going, it felt like it needed to be more compelling and not just some cartoony villains.
But by the end, I walked out of Blue Beetle thinking how good it was to see an enjoyable film with the message of family that hit me emotionally. Would I recommend the movie? Yes.
- ajacayen-90247
- Aug 16, 2023
- Permalink
As a Latino myself, I was looking forward to this film but, I was unfortunately disappointed. I was excited to hear that we had a superhero movie starring a Latino cast coming into the works but, it was executed poorly. There are times when they were trying too hard to portray a Latino family, a bit exaggerated and tried too hard to be funny. The acting from a few of the cast was fine, some of it felt forced. It seems like they didn't put as much heart into this film as they would a Batman film. With some work, this could've been a better viewing experience. Xolo was a great casting choice but could use a bit of work on some of his execution to the character.
- HernanTrujillo
- Dec 19, 2023
- Permalink
- sangabriel
- Sep 3, 2023
- Permalink
For what it's worth, this is not an origin story yet is designed to be one, atleast for the main lead. After graduation, Jaime Reyes returns back to his family who are near bankrupt and on the verge to lose their home. Desperate to save the house, he looks for a job and lands at Kord Tower, after an invitation from Jenny Kord. Meanwhile, Kord Industries CEO Victoria Kord, is a greedy woman who wants to control an alien species Scarab for it's technological power, to create a deadly weapon. Jenny's attempt to steal this Scarab leads to Jaime getting hold of it and eventually becoming the host. What follows is, Jaime realizing his purpose and acknowledging his connection with Scarab.
Blue Beetle clearly has arrived a decade late, which is also what works in it's favour. There is no pressure of building in/adding on to the DC universe. All it aims for, is to be a simple silly fun entertainer, going over the top at every opportunity and yet succeed in entertaining. This is simply not the kind of film one should take seriously. The humor is hit and miss, thankfully the emotions work well. The Latino superhero does leave a lasting impression. There is not much about the Scarabs so the film directly focuses on Reyes becoming the new Blue Beetle while casually dropping the fact that there were others before.
Susan Sarandon's Victoria isn't evil enough whereas her own weapon Carapax isn't menacing enough and are barely serviceable. What does work is the goofiness of the Reyes family and right dose of father-son dynamic, because what's a DC superhero without that? The action set pieces are generic and like I said, the film still delivers on providing basic harmless entertainment. The post credit scene does set it up for a standalone sequel without burdening itself from being part of DCU's planned future.
Blue Beetle clearly has arrived a decade late, which is also what works in it's favour. There is no pressure of building in/adding on to the DC universe. All it aims for, is to be a simple silly fun entertainer, going over the top at every opportunity and yet succeed in entertaining. This is simply not the kind of film one should take seriously. The humor is hit and miss, thankfully the emotions work well. The Latino superhero does leave a lasting impression. There is not much about the Scarabs so the film directly focuses on Reyes becoming the new Blue Beetle while casually dropping the fact that there were others before.
Susan Sarandon's Victoria isn't evil enough whereas her own weapon Carapax isn't menacing enough and are barely serviceable. What does work is the goofiness of the Reyes family and right dose of father-son dynamic, because what's a DC superhero without that? The action set pieces are generic and like I said, the film still delivers on providing basic harmless entertainment. The post credit scene does set it up for a standalone sequel without burdening itself from being part of DCU's planned future.
- chand-suhas
- Aug 17, 2023
- Permalink
The marketing is letting this movie down! This film is so much more than just a origin story for a new superhero! This film has a lot of heart, with the directors love and care for this character being evident throughout the film! The character was introduced perfectly, and I hope it gets enough love to get a sequel because it deserves one! Also, so many touchy and difficult societal issues are brought up and tackled in respectful and nuanced ways. Their inclusion doesn't pull you out of the movie whatsoever! You aren't hit over the head with anything and these issues actually end up aiding the story and character greatly and give the film that much more of an emotional punch!
The acting was phanominal as well! All of the actors gave amazing performances and really were able to convey each of the characters emotions beautifully in every scene!
The action was by far the best part of the film! The camera angles and movements made you feel as if you were experiencing the fights irl! They were awesome!
The comedy was also fantastic and handled perfectly! I found myself laughing every other minute at some points because the jokes were just so good! George Lopez was AMAZING throughout the film and really brought life to every scene he was in! Perfect casting!!
Overall, I had a fun time with this movie and I highly recommend watching it!
The acting was phanominal as well! All of the actors gave amazing performances and really were able to convey each of the characters emotions beautifully in every scene!
The action was by far the best part of the film! The camera angles and movements made you feel as if you were experiencing the fights irl! They were awesome!
The comedy was also fantastic and handled perfectly! I found myself laughing every other minute at some points because the jokes were just so good! George Lopez was AMAZING throughout the film and really brought life to every scene he was in! Perfect casting!!
Overall, I had a fun time with this movie and I highly recommend watching it!
- That_Movie_Watcher
- Aug 16, 2023
- Permalink
#bluebeetle #MovieReview Typical superhero movie. There is nothing new that this movie brings to the table. It is similar to other superhero films but now with a Latin flavor. It is pretty funny though and there are alot of Latino/Hispanic references. The film is for everyone but the word "pendejo" is used alot, so a small warning if you don't want little kids hearing that. The best part of the film was the family. The movie shines whenever they were together. Villains were not memorable or interesting. The love interest feels forced and not natural. The acting was good. Overall it was
7.5/10.
- ferniehernandezjr
- Aug 15, 2023
- Permalink
I remember loving blue beetle in cartoons growing up so I was excited for this. I feel like people, generally speaking, aren't as hyped up for this. I enjoyed it but it was a mixed bag, there's nothing really adventurous attempted and for the most part, just felt good or okay enough. Too many things could've been done better.
The family's dynamic was fine, yet the emotional connection between Jaime and Jenny was notably nonexistent- their attempt to forge it even prompted some to audibly scream no in the theatre. The actors' portrayal felt unconvincing, and the writing felt contrived, unimaginatively executed too. The familial bond is likely to resonate with fans later in the future, as evident in their concerted effort to show Blue Beetle is a family guy, along with the Perez family ethos. They really wanted to push that narrative and hammer it home. While I do know that in my brain, but I also wanted to feel that in my heart. James Gunn is a master at this, adept at bridging the gap between what I know and what I feel about a group of characters. They had too many family talks in my opinion, tried too hard. As for Blue Beetle himself, he's a character we'll love more the more we see him(I think), making his debut a respectable foundation for the future DC Universe. However, the ongoing controversy between DCU/DCEU and James Gunn's new vision might contribute to a diverse range of reviews.
Pretty good comedic timing and the jokes didn't feel contrived. The suit had a cool design, and despite not having watched Blue Beetle cartoons in over a decade, it had familiarity. The transformation into Blue Beetle was strikingly done with a hint of horror, which I found compelling. I appreciated the mix of cartoonish yet realistic action sequences. There were still some 'fast and furious' ludicrous level action scenes.
Some animations looked like video games with their 3D-like quality, and a few scenes lacked the grandeur suited for IMAX screens. The density of the visuals didn't match up, perhaps I'm influenced by the standards set by "Oppenheimer," which was what I saw last in IMAX. Initially planned to watch in standard 2D, I went for the earliest available viewing instead.
The story was a generic but it had a lot of interesting stuff in. Beyond the superhero himself, DC's attempt to bring some novelty into the genre was lacking. Some plot reveals didn't have the impact they should've. Improved character background execution, particularly for Nana and the main villain, was needed; their histories felt like it was mentioned only for plot convenience, notably the grandmother's history just because of how it was revealed. Some dialogue and plot towards the end was very predictable.
Fighting scenes were mostly cool, although apart from the final one, they didn't reach their maximum climactic potential; only the last battle drew me in. The high personal stakes were great, clearly showing what was at risk and effectively following through on those stakes.
A more serious and slightly darker tone would have heightened the emotional impact of the events in the third act. The movie seemed caught between taking itself very seriously and/or embracing a fun, lighthearted vibe, leaving an uncertain feel. It lacked a distinct impact or identity, floating in a sort of no man's land. If you didn't know Blue Beetle already or indifferent towards him, the film struggled to convincingly make you fall in love with the character or feel a connection. On the positive side, the movie showcased significant Latino representation. In terms of cultural blending, I'd rank Shang-Chi, Black Panther 2, Blue Beetle, Ms. Marvel, and then the first Black Panther.
The movie excels in certain parts, while its shortcomings aren't overwhelmingly bad, but they could be better. Sadly, seemed to be more of the latter. The quick post-credit scenes were nice, sparing us from what often feels like a long wait usually. Loved that they included the previous versions of blue beetle, it's also quite rare for a superhero film to have a sense of standalone authenticity, rather than just serving as a vehicle to introduce new characters or set up future movies.
I typically avoid badmouthing actors, but I believe acting could've been better. As previously mentioned, my earlier comment about the love interests still stands. The chemistry between the actors, the portrayal of emotions in their eyes-whether it was excitement, agony, or loss-and the conviction of the main villain didn't resonate with me. The lack of connection and genuine emotion felt like a first draft, and felt like a mid-2000s Disney show. This contributes to the feeling of a medley mixed bag, the dialogue, story, and acting all fell short of being amazing individually. While nothing was too bad, when combined, they accentuated each other, drawing attention to each.
While far from flawless, I still left with a smile. The story was somewhat straightforward, and considering Blue Beetle's unique, I half-expected the movie to reinvent the wheel, though my hopes weren't too high. There were a lot of elements of a potentially mind blowing fantastic movie, It just doesn't feel like they were pieced together the best that they could've, but definitely still enjoyable. I know it's an origin story but it just feels like DC just played it super safe; and at a time when "superhero burnout" is a thing, playing it safe ain't too safe.
The family's dynamic was fine, yet the emotional connection between Jaime and Jenny was notably nonexistent- their attempt to forge it even prompted some to audibly scream no in the theatre. The actors' portrayal felt unconvincing, and the writing felt contrived, unimaginatively executed too. The familial bond is likely to resonate with fans later in the future, as evident in their concerted effort to show Blue Beetle is a family guy, along with the Perez family ethos. They really wanted to push that narrative and hammer it home. While I do know that in my brain, but I also wanted to feel that in my heart. James Gunn is a master at this, adept at bridging the gap between what I know and what I feel about a group of characters. They had too many family talks in my opinion, tried too hard. As for Blue Beetle himself, he's a character we'll love more the more we see him(I think), making his debut a respectable foundation for the future DC Universe. However, the ongoing controversy between DCU/DCEU and James Gunn's new vision might contribute to a diverse range of reviews.
Pretty good comedic timing and the jokes didn't feel contrived. The suit had a cool design, and despite not having watched Blue Beetle cartoons in over a decade, it had familiarity. The transformation into Blue Beetle was strikingly done with a hint of horror, which I found compelling. I appreciated the mix of cartoonish yet realistic action sequences. There were still some 'fast and furious' ludicrous level action scenes.
Some animations looked like video games with their 3D-like quality, and a few scenes lacked the grandeur suited for IMAX screens. The density of the visuals didn't match up, perhaps I'm influenced by the standards set by "Oppenheimer," which was what I saw last in IMAX. Initially planned to watch in standard 2D, I went for the earliest available viewing instead.
The story was a generic but it had a lot of interesting stuff in. Beyond the superhero himself, DC's attempt to bring some novelty into the genre was lacking. Some plot reveals didn't have the impact they should've. Improved character background execution, particularly for Nana and the main villain, was needed; their histories felt like it was mentioned only for plot convenience, notably the grandmother's history just because of how it was revealed. Some dialogue and plot towards the end was very predictable.
Fighting scenes were mostly cool, although apart from the final one, they didn't reach their maximum climactic potential; only the last battle drew me in. The high personal stakes were great, clearly showing what was at risk and effectively following through on those stakes.
A more serious and slightly darker tone would have heightened the emotional impact of the events in the third act. The movie seemed caught between taking itself very seriously and/or embracing a fun, lighthearted vibe, leaving an uncertain feel. It lacked a distinct impact or identity, floating in a sort of no man's land. If you didn't know Blue Beetle already or indifferent towards him, the film struggled to convincingly make you fall in love with the character or feel a connection. On the positive side, the movie showcased significant Latino representation. In terms of cultural blending, I'd rank Shang-Chi, Black Panther 2, Blue Beetle, Ms. Marvel, and then the first Black Panther.
The movie excels in certain parts, while its shortcomings aren't overwhelmingly bad, but they could be better. Sadly, seemed to be more of the latter. The quick post-credit scenes were nice, sparing us from what often feels like a long wait usually. Loved that they included the previous versions of blue beetle, it's also quite rare for a superhero film to have a sense of standalone authenticity, rather than just serving as a vehicle to introduce new characters or set up future movies.
I typically avoid badmouthing actors, but I believe acting could've been better. As previously mentioned, my earlier comment about the love interests still stands. The chemistry between the actors, the portrayal of emotions in their eyes-whether it was excitement, agony, or loss-and the conviction of the main villain didn't resonate with me. The lack of connection and genuine emotion felt like a first draft, and felt like a mid-2000s Disney show. This contributes to the feeling of a medley mixed bag, the dialogue, story, and acting all fell short of being amazing individually. While nothing was too bad, when combined, they accentuated each other, drawing attention to each.
While far from flawless, I still left with a smile. The story was somewhat straightforward, and considering Blue Beetle's unique, I half-expected the movie to reinvent the wheel, though my hopes weren't too high. There were a lot of elements of a potentially mind blowing fantastic movie, It just doesn't feel like they were pieced together the best that they could've, but definitely still enjoyable. I know it's an origin story but it just feels like DC just played it super safe; and at a time when "superhero burnout" is a thing, playing it safe ain't too safe.
- AfricanBro
- Aug 17, 2023
- Permalink
It became increasingly obvious that Blue Beetle was designed to be a fun family film with maybe the younger members of the family in mind. It's not quite a Spy Kids movie but it's close. A young adult version if you will. Don't get me wrong I love the Spy Kids movies for what they are and this movie made me think of them, but a grown-up version. Blue Beetle has heart, the emotion - I teared up a few times, - and the family dynamic is...great. It's a joyous movie that celebrates Latin culture well, but it falters when it comes to the superhero side of things, mainly the villain's goal and that he's fighting another version of himself.
The violence and the softened but still gory on-screen deaths would be the things that make this Spy kids-like movie - to keep the previous example - more adult but it's the performances that make it so, except for one. Uncle Rudy was too much, he was in a low-budget Spy Kids movie, while the others weren't. It was so jarring. He was so grating for me that I was tensed whenever he was on screen, which was a lot. It's like he's trying to be the main character in this movie instead of the supporting. Not everything he says or does is cringe but enough to be worrying once the pattern was identified and there's two third of the movie to go. I don't know if it's the casting, the direction, or the script, maybe all three but Uncle Rudy was not it, not the secret sauce. He really brought this movie down for me. This role could have been played differently. He's being a caricature when the others are desperately trying not to be. I'm not hating on him but him being the main thing that doesn't quite work in the movie is pretty good in my book.
Xolo, Bellissa, and Bruna really shine in this movie as do most of the Reyes family cast, they made me care about the family and what happens. Xolo is a great Jaime, I'm most familiar with the character from Young Justice but I recognized him in Xolo. Belissa as Jaime's sister was amazing, she seamlessly brought the dry humor and the sadness, she didn't lose me once. Bruna is a great find and this is probably the role that I'll recognize her from.
Blue Beetle is entertaining and fun, a good time at the cinema, yet just shy of being great.
@garcwrites.
The violence and the softened but still gory on-screen deaths would be the things that make this Spy kids-like movie - to keep the previous example - more adult but it's the performances that make it so, except for one. Uncle Rudy was too much, he was in a low-budget Spy Kids movie, while the others weren't. It was so jarring. He was so grating for me that I was tensed whenever he was on screen, which was a lot. It's like he's trying to be the main character in this movie instead of the supporting. Not everything he says or does is cringe but enough to be worrying once the pattern was identified and there's two third of the movie to go. I don't know if it's the casting, the direction, or the script, maybe all three but Uncle Rudy was not it, not the secret sauce. He really brought this movie down for me. This role could have been played differently. He's being a caricature when the others are desperately trying not to be. I'm not hating on him but him being the main thing that doesn't quite work in the movie is pretty good in my book.
Xolo, Bellissa, and Bruna really shine in this movie as do most of the Reyes family cast, they made me care about the family and what happens. Xolo is a great Jaime, I'm most familiar with the character from Young Justice but I recognized him in Xolo. Belissa as Jaime's sister was amazing, she seamlessly brought the dry humor and the sadness, she didn't lose me once. Bruna is a great find and this is probably the role that I'll recognize her from.
Blue Beetle is entertaining and fun, a good time at the cinema, yet just shy of being great.
@garcwrites.
- Garcwrites
- Aug 15, 2023
- Permalink
The movie is a perfect 6/10 star superhero flick. There's nothing new or interesting or anything creative about it. Heard it was originally a Max exclusive. To be honest, wouldn't be surprised if it got dumped there anyway. This is the most Marvel-like DC superhero flick you'll ever see in a while. It doesn't do much new, or even breaks any new ground in the superhero movie genre (not that there's any left to be broken anyway).
I did like the family dynamics a little, but if anyone's seen Ms. Marvel of the MCU (that makes like, ten people including me), it will all seem a little too familiar, except this time they are Latino. Some jokes are drawn out a little too much, and just like Marvel, serious moments are diluted with dank jokes that nobody laughs at, except maybe the cast and crew themselves. The villain, was... as expected, forgettable. Makes sense why they didn't feature her prominently in any of the promo or trailers. But hey, when you're making brand-safe superhero movies for kids you gotta draw some lines, I guess.
Overall, DC is just a scalding hot mess now, on an uncertain path both creatively and logically. I didn't even try to connect this movie in my head to any of the confusing mess of the DCEU and didn't even bother to use it as a foundation for James Gunn's Universe. If anyone wants, see for what it is and don't take it too seriously. If you don't, fine. The superhero film genre breathed its last on April 26, 2019 anyway.
I did like the family dynamics a little, but if anyone's seen Ms. Marvel of the MCU (that makes like, ten people including me), it will all seem a little too familiar, except this time they are Latino. Some jokes are drawn out a little too much, and just like Marvel, serious moments are diluted with dank jokes that nobody laughs at, except maybe the cast and crew themselves. The villain, was... as expected, forgettable. Makes sense why they didn't feature her prominently in any of the promo or trailers. But hey, when you're making brand-safe superhero movies for kids you gotta draw some lines, I guess.
Overall, DC is just a scalding hot mess now, on an uncertain path both creatively and logically. I didn't even try to connect this movie in my head to any of the confusing mess of the DCEU and didn't even bother to use it as a foundation for James Gunn's Universe. If anyone wants, see for what it is and don't take it too seriously. If you don't, fine. The superhero film genre breathed its last on April 26, 2019 anyway.
- fazetrap-72267
- Aug 18, 2023
- Permalink
So Blue Beetle is definitely fun, I'm not sure if it's as amazing as people are making it out to be but it's a fun movie and a solid introduction.
The story is about Jaime ( Hi May ) who comes in contact with the Scarab and turns him into the Blue Beetle. His family are under threat as Cord Industries want the Scarab back, He must become one with the Blue Beetle and fight for his family and his freedom.
The family element is really good, usually they say it's family oriented and there a joke or 2 but family is at the heart of the movie and the stand outs for me is NANNA the goat, a caring figure and a bada$$, the uncle is also great, he has some funny likes but his overall character works.
Blue Beetle himself is really enjoyable, the movie is fine to be honest it's an origin story. Not man of those are AMAZING but his personality and likeness pulls the movie. Good action scenes and I love the suit, overall a good movie definitely worth watching and I'm looking forward to more Jamie. 2 post credits, the end one not worth it, it's a joke hahah 7.5/10.
The story is about Jaime ( Hi May ) who comes in contact with the Scarab and turns him into the Blue Beetle. His family are under threat as Cord Industries want the Scarab back, He must become one with the Blue Beetle and fight for his family and his freedom.
The family element is really good, usually they say it's family oriented and there a joke or 2 but family is at the heart of the movie and the stand outs for me is NANNA the goat, a caring figure and a bada$$, the uncle is also great, he has some funny likes but his overall character works.
Blue Beetle himself is really enjoyable, the movie is fine to be honest it's an origin story. Not man of those are AMAZING but his personality and likeness pulls the movie. Good action scenes and I love the suit, overall a good movie definitely worth watching and I'm looking forward to more Jamie. 2 post credits, the end one not worth it, it's a joke hahah 7.5/10.
- eoinageary
- Aug 17, 2023
- Permalink
Everyone knows this is yet another dud by dc by now. But after hearing some positive buzz i thought i'd give it a chance. But nope. Its just another superhero movie.
What it really is is just Ironman meets Spiderman. No one really cares about this character so they would have had to do something special to make the movie great. But they haven't. Cobra Kai's Xolo Maridueña is likeable enough as the hero. But everyone in this (except Susan Sarandon) is the hero. Either that or they're an annoying "comedy" sidekick.
At least the action starts overshadowing the lame jokes at the half way mark. As before that its just the character getting thrown around as he discovers his powers. But even later its just robots fighting. This is something we've seen a hundred times at this point. But at least the hero doesn't fight Susan Sarandon in the finale.
So i guess it could have been worse. Its not completely awful. There's just too many superheros now to care about this familiar feeling one.
What it really is is just Ironman meets Spiderman. No one really cares about this character so they would have had to do something special to make the movie great. But they haven't. Cobra Kai's Xolo Maridueña is likeable enough as the hero. But everyone in this (except Susan Sarandon) is the hero. Either that or they're an annoying "comedy" sidekick.
At least the action starts overshadowing the lame jokes at the half way mark. As before that its just the character getting thrown around as he discovers his powers. But even later its just robots fighting. This is something we've seen a hundred times at this point. But at least the hero doesn't fight Susan Sarandon in the finale.
So i guess it could have been worse. Its not completely awful. There's just too many superheros now to care about this familiar feeling one.
- martinrobertson300482
- Sep 10, 2023
- Permalink
If you go in expecting a fun light hearted superhero movie that is what you are going to get. Only complaints are the tonal shifts. His transformation feels like a horror movie transformation and the hero of course doesn't kill people (rolls eyes) but that rule doesn't apply to all the other good guys. They violently kill and make jokes about it. One of its biggest issues is how it is supposed to connect to the DC universe going forward. It doesn't do anything to answer any of those questions. Then there is the racial undertones that seem unnecessary and hurt the movie and again push the us vs them issue instead of trying to unite people. At least it was sort of subtle and could be missed.
One of the biggest surprises of the year. It's also one of the funniest superhero movies ever with a very distinctive identity.
There are some typical exposition dumps for the genre, and the emotional moments don't always hit the mark with a familiar structure, but it's a film with a huge heart, incredibly good humor, and excellent characters. All the "good side" characters are very well crafted and distinct, each of them having moments to shine.
In technical terms, it has some surprises and tricks up its sleeve, with good editing, well-choreographed and entertaining fast-paced action, and a strong score and soundtrack. What's even better is the way it incorporates Latin culture to show us the true sense of community and family, elevating the film's message and contributing to most of the arcs.
All the performances are outstanding. Madridueña has what it takes to be the star of this film and all of them deserve praises, but the best is the crazy uncle portrayed by George Lopez. Good movie even if you are tired of superhero movies.
There are some typical exposition dumps for the genre, and the emotional moments don't always hit the mark with a familiar structure, but it's a film with a huge heart, incredibly good humor, and excellent characters. All the "good side" characters are very well crafted and distinct, each of them having moments to shine.
In technical terms, it has some surprises and tricks up its sleeve, with good editing, well-choreographed and entertaining fast-paced action, and a strong score and soundtrack. What's even better is the way it incorporates Latin culture to show us the true sense of community and family, elevating the film's message and contributing to most of the arcs.
All the performances are outstanding. Madridueña has what it takes to be the star of this film and all of them deserve praises, but the best is the crazy uncle portrayed by George Lopez. Good movie even if you are tired of superhero movies.
- PedroPires90
- Aug 15, 2023
- Permalink
Blue Beetle has the unique angle of bringing a Latin superhero character to the screen in a leading role for the first time, but outside of that nothing about this film is unique or original.
The story is a formulaic superhero origin story. It's fine and it does the job but isn't particularly inspiring or overly engaging. There's an attempt to inject some emotion into the piece but it feels a little half-hearted. Susan Sarandon feels under-developed as a villain which makes the stakes feel quite low.
For the most part the action is pretty bland. The final set piece is a CG blur that is a bit of a snooze and considering the skill set of Blue Beetle the action could have been a lot better.
Despite all this, the performance from Xolo Mariduena is strong and he creates a likeable and engaging character, as do all his family members. There's some good humour throughout, and the film does look quite good in parts, with some decent enough direction.
Overall, this film is a perfectly average superhero film. It's formulaic and uninspired, but it is a fun enough watch.
The story is a formulaic superhero origin story. It's fine and it does the job but isn't particularly inspiring or overly engaging. There's an attempt to inject some emotion into the piece but it feels a little half-hearted. Susan Sarandon feels under-developed as a villain which makes the stakes feel quite low.
For the most part the action is pretty bland. The final set piece is a CG blur that is a bit of a snooze and considering the skill set of Blue Beetle the action could have been a lot better.
Despite all this, the performance from Xolo Mariduena is strong and he creates a likeable and engaging character, as do all his family members. There's some good humour throughout, and the film does look quite good in parts, with some decent enough direction.
Overall, this film is a perfectly average superhero film. It's formulaic and uninspired, but it is a fun enough watch.
- ethanbresnett
- Aug 30, 2023
- Permalink
I would honestly rate the movie lower but the sort of beautiful landscape of the movie was rather enjoyable to look at. I am not entirely sure why I was reading a news article before this movie came out where they said "this movie is a win for Hispanic people" thought I'm living in Romania, most of my friends live in Spain and not a single one of them felt like this movie was a win of any sorts. Anyways, the plot of the movie is bland and overdone, maybe if it came out in 2015 it might have been rather enjoyable since they hype was there, although I highly doubt it since the dialogue literally made me gag throughout the entire movie.
I can't say I'm disappointed in this movies flop, but I'm not surprised either. Main stream media and entertainment has been nose diving in recent years, so I guess this movie decided to join the kamikaze.
I can't say I'm disappointed in this movies flop, but I'm not surprised either. Main stream media and entertainment has been nose diving in recent years, so I guess this movie decided to join the kamikaze.
Empty, full of cliches, you cannot tolerate it. It is one of the worst productions I have seen in my whole life. What a waste of time. Keep away! The cast is bad, the script is worse.. The characters are joke and intolerable.. I have not written a comment in IMDb for more than five years but I should write this for anyone who thinks watching this thing. Sorry but I cannot call it a movie.. I will not be fair for good ones produced with hardwork. I do not recommend anyone to spend their time watching it. You can do anything else and believe me it will be spending quality time compared to watching this movie.
Blue Beetle works well for what it is trying to be, a fun time a the movies that you won't be thinking about once you leave but during the time you're watching it, it'll keep you engaged and entertained for its runtime. The family dynamic works wonderfully and while a few moments can be a bit on the "childish humour", most of it came off as charming to me. In tone, it's the closest to the first Shazam film and a similar degree in quality as well. The suit looks great, the fight scenes are cool and the story is unfortunately, generic. The niche fanbase of Blue Beetle will definitely enjoy this one as it is one of the better DC heroes debut and a much big screen debut than a certain other, much popular hero dressed in red who runs fast. If you'd have told me a few years earlier that I'd have a significant better time with this than a Flash film, I would have called you crazy but here we are...
- sherjan-aamir
- Aug 16, 2023
- Permalink
When a teenager goes through a Cronenbergian symbiosis with a space scarab, he is targeted by the corporation that discovered it.
I watch almost all of these comic book adaptations, and it's rare that I see one with this much heart, and one that wears it on its sleeve at that. The empathy is overflowing. There is such celebration of the indomitable spirit of the Latin American immigrant, their success despite hardship. The Reyes family are supportive, sweet, loving and unashamed of their specific cultural identity. Apparently James Gunn did not have a huge amount of input on this, but this does work well as a lead in to his handling, aka the DCU: it cares deeply about its characters and ensures you do as well, there are great needle drops, and it really makes you care about someone that a lot of people currently do not.
I would say about a third of the quick fire jokes should have been trimmed out. There are times where it really feels like they're jingling keys in your face. The fairly frequent, fun if not always the most creative action features a lot of CG, and though it's definitely better than the Flash and Ant-Man 3, it's especially helped by the fact that this was clearly shot on actual locations and physical sets, not surrounded by green screen screens or on the volume. They actually did toss a stunt person through the air, that car was actually knocked over, etc.
Some of the violence in this really pushes the PG-13, and though there's not a huge amount of moderate to strong language in English, note that anyone speaking Spanish will pick up on some swearing there. I recommend this to any fan of comic books and the films adapting them. 7/10.
I watch almost all of these comic book adaptations, and it's rare that I see one with this much heart, and one that wears it on its sleeve at that. The empathy is overflowing. There is such celebration of the indomitable spirit of the Latin American immigrant, their success despite hardship. The Reyes family are supportive, sweet, loving and unashamed of their specific cultural identity. Apparently James Gunn did not have a huge amount of input on this, but this does work well as a lead in to his handling, aka the DCU: it cares deeply about its characters and ensures you do as well, there are great needle drops, and it really makes you care about someone that a lot of people currently do not.
I would say about a third of the quick fire jokes should have been trimmed out. There are times where it really feels like they're jingling keys in your face. The fairly frequent, fun if not always the most creative action features a lot of CG, and though it's definitely better than the Flash and Ant-Man 3, it's especially helped by the fact that this was clearly shot on actual locations and physical sets, not surrounded by green screen screens or on the volume. They actually did toss a stunt person through the air, that car was actually knocked over, etc.
Some of the violence in this really pushes the PG-13, and though there's not a huge amount of moderate to strong language in English, note that anyone speaking Spanish will pick up on some swearing there. I recommend this to any fan of comic books and the films adapting them. 7/10.
- TBJCSKCNRRQTreviews
- Aug 18, 2023
- Permalink
Blue Beetle is a very generic comic book movie that doesn't do much that's new however thanks to a core focus on family and groundbreaking representation that informs and enhances every decision made it remains a really good comic book movie and definitely one of DC's better films from their recent output.
Xolo Mariduena is charisma incarnate here, Jaime is so loveable and leads the film effortlessly. Adriana Barraza, Damián Alcázar, Elpida Carrillo, Belissa Escobedo and especially George Lopez are a great supporting cast with a believable heartwarming family dynamic.
Susan Sarandon could've been a delightfully evil, scenery chewing villain but unfortunately she isn't given much and ends up being completely forgettable. Raoul Max Trujillo isn't much better until some very last minute flashbacks that do actually completely change the character for the better.
Ángel Manuel Soto doesn't do a lot to bring his own style to this genre but any and all flourishes of blue neon are greatly appreciated and the hand to hand combat is really fun. The music by Bobby Krlic is one of the most unique superhero scores thanks to its synth style which works well for this character.
Xolo Mariduena is charisma incarnate here, Jaime is so loveable and leads the film effortlessly. Adriana Barraza, Damián Alcázar, Elpida Carrillo, Belissa Escobedo and especially George Lopez are a great supporting cast with a believable heartwarming family dynamic.
Susan Sarandon could've been a delightfully evil, scenery chewing villain but unfortunately she isn't given much and ends up being completely forgettable. Raoul Max Trujillo isn't much better until some very last minute flashbacks that do actually completely change the character for the better.
Ángel Manuel Soto doesn't do a lot to bring his own style to this genre but any and all flourishes of blue neon are greatly appreciated and the hand to hand combat is really fun. The music by Bobby Krlic is one of the most unique superhero scores thanks to its synth style which works well for this character.
The film, although it didn't significantly impact my life, fulfills the role of entertainment well. During the exhibition, there were no moments of deep reflection that changed my perspective on life, but that is not necessarily a negative thing. It was a great option to relax on a Sunday night, fulfilling its mission of providing entertainment.
The performances were well executed, although some characters were not fully explored, showing a certain rush in presenting certain plot points. However, this aspect did not detract from the entertainment experience.
As a Brazilian, I highlight the performance of actress Bruna Marquezine. She didn't compromise the film in any way and fulfilled her role well, which wasn't a basic role of a girl being saved by the hero. She had her moment.
The performances were well executed, although some characters were not fully explored, showing a certain rush in presenting certain plot points. However, this aspect did not detract from the entertainment experience.
As a Brazilian, I highlight the performance of actress Bruna Marquezine. She didn't compromise the film in any way and fulfilled her role well, which wasn't a basic role of a girl being saved by the hero. She had her moment.
- engfelipetulio
- Nov 26, 2023
- Permalink