Having arrived past the halfway point of the year, I have reflected on my top films of 2023 a multitude of times. My top film of the year is a comic book film and one I can confidently call one of the strongest of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The soon-to-sunset DC Extended Universe has not fared as well. While The Flash from earlier this year somewhat exceeded the typical DCEU fare, the earlier-released Shazam! Fury of the Gods drastically underwhelmed in comparison. However, neither ever became my most anticipated DCEU film of 2023, so the time has come to finally talk that film itself in my review of the fantastic Blue Beetle!
While I had set my expectations somewhat high based on its trailer, Blue Beetle not only impressed me, but pulled harder at my heartstrings than my tear ducts were prepared for. The film, centering on the titular superhero, (real name: Jaime Reyes) follows him as he returns home after college to discover his family experiencing some unexpected challenges, only to become imbued with powers after a mysterious scarab grafts itself onto him. For a film that follows such a grandiose concept as an intergalactic scarab landing on earth to fuse itself with an unsuspecting human, the film also feels intimate. It takes place in only a handful of locations with a modestly sized main cast, but the stakes at hand, both globally and interpersonally, feel impactful.
That impact is the natural result of investment in said main cast. They all deliver on all cylinders. Xolo Maridueña shines brightly (in a blue hue) as the titular hero. He’s electrifying as a superhero, charming in his goofier scenes, and subtly heartbreaking in the film’s more somber moments. His fight scenes are also exhilarating. The back half of the film contains the majority of the action following a more grounded front half, but it pays off greatly. The effects look great, particularly during a moment that pays homage to a certain popular anime. I won’t spoil, but consider some of the most iconic moves in shounen anime history…
However, in a film named “Blue Beetle,” it largely shares the spotlight with his family. They steal every scene they’re in. George Lopez as his uncle, Rudy, deliver gut-busting laughs in almost all his scenes. He also perfectly delivers some of the most insightful dialogue in the movie. Oscar nominee Adriana Barraza, as his Nana, plays it more subdued initially, until things get crazy. As a result, she gets crazy, and the movie is all the better for it.
Part of the focus on family also leads to an emphasis on their Latino culture. As a native South Floridian, the fictional Palerma City, said to be located in the Keys, feels super reminiscent of Miami. It features a bustling, developed downtown juxtaposed against the outskirts where the Reyes Family lives and fears is going to be gentrified. A large portion of the dialogue is in Spanish and they often speak of their struggles, which not only pays beautiful homage to their culture, but also further grounds these characters and makes their struggles more relatable.
The film moves as a brisk pace for the first two thirds, which conclude with a heart-pounding action scene that leaves you breathless. The pacing becomes a bit choppy as we reach the climax and dragged a bit, but nothing unforgivable. However, a slightly bigger con lies in primary antagonist Victoria Kord, CEO of Kord Industries and sister of the previous Blue Beetle, Ted Kord. Susan Sarandon gets to sink her teeth into portraying a completely despicable, mustache twirling-esque villain, but lacks almost any depth. This reaches the point where a seeming attempt to justify her actions can easily be read as sincere or intentionally absurd. However Sarandon still brings meat to this role and elevates Kord from entirely one note to devilishly fun.
To end on a more positive note, the film beautifully integrates references to its interconnected universe without resting on the laurels of what came before it. Current discourse a potential lack of interest in the film because of the upcoming DC Studios reboot. However, I implore you all not to dismiss the film on that basis. No prior DCEU knowledge is required to understand or enjoy it, and it offers so much more as a film beyond its brand label.
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