Wow, D. C. actually made a good super hero film...

 

I had been looking forward to Angel Manuel Soto's Blue Beetle since the first teaser trailer came out earlier this year, so I was so excited to finally watch it in theaters!

The film follows Jaime Reyes, a recent grad from Gotham Law University, returning to his hometown of Palmera City, only to learn that his family is being evicted from their home and the family auto shop is no longer in business. Determined to help his family, Jaime and his sister, Milagro, got out in search of jobs until they stumble upon work as cleaners in the mansion of Kord Industries' CEO Victoria Kord. 

After Jaime interferes in a confrontation between Victoria and her niece, Jenny Kord, the kids get fired by Victoria, but Jenny offers Jaime a chance to work for Kord Industries. 

The next day, Jenny finds out that Victoria has found an alien power source called the "scarab" learns what Victoria plans to do with its power. Afraid of what dangers Victoria might create, Jenny takes the scarab and makes a run for it. An unsuspecting Jaime walks into Kord Industries at the same time, hopeful to meet with Jenny and get a new job. As they run into each other in the lobby, Jenny hands a box to Jaime and tells him not to open it.

Naturally, of course, Jamie's family do not listen and decide to open the box and find the scarab. The scarab then becomes activated and attaches itself to Jamie, which is the first time the audience sees Jaime in his tech suit.

In order to protect his family and keep the scarab out of Victoria's hands, Jaime officially takes up the mantel as the Blue Beetle and saves Palmera City. 

Now, I have always been more of a Marvel fan over D.C for a number of reasons, but Blue Beetle has always been one of my favorite heroes for the representation that the character brings to the Hispanic and Latino communities, which is one of the overarching reasons why I think this film is so well done. It doesn't feel like just an overly action-packed hero movie like we're used to because it is central to the lives of a Mexican family and their hopes of the American Dream. It offers a heartfelt story of family and stars some beloved Mexican actors in many roles which I could relate to and appreciate (because, again, representation matters!)

The film also deals with topics like that of lower income families being forced out of their communities due to gentrification through one of the films' subplots. 

I think one of the main reasons I've preferred Marvel movies over D.C films in the past typically has to do with the tone and pacing of D.C's films. They typically tend to be more serious and slower, whereas Mavel tends to have a nice balance of comedy within their films without taking away from the plot or the growth of the characters. But Blue Beetle is a nice change on D.C's part. It was a lot more lighthearted with the use of comedy while still having moments that would tug on the audiences' heartstrings. I almost forgot I was watching a D.C movie for a second. 

Overall, Blue Beetle is worth a watch with a good 8.5/10 in my book.