Blue Beetle. Let's be honest, this is not the movie any of us asked for. But it is the movie we deserve. What do I mean by that? We deserve a fun, super hero movie that isn't about saving the world, but a personal story with our main character. You can be reductive and say it's like Iron Man's origin movie or Ant-Man's, but that is going to make you miss out. Also, other than the fact that all the heroes where a suit of armor, that's the only similarity. Don't get forget that Tony Stark and Scott Lang were assholes before they put on a hero suit. Jamie Reyes is none of that and is instantly more likeable.
Okay, let me also say this. The trailers for this movie do it a huge disservice. They make it seem like Jamie (Xolo Maridueña) is this poor down on his luck kid. In actuality, he just graduated from college (in pre-law?) and just can't find a job. We've been there. He's also trying to do right by his family because they are not doing well. Miles above what those others were. So again, I hate the misleading trailer.
I found him absolutely charming and I shockingly liked George Lopez in this movie as the wacky uncle. The thread the needle on conspiracy theory believing and bumbling with a true heart and sounding board for Jamie. I didn't expect this and it was welcomed. In fact, I enjoyed his entire family and how they pull together. Also, my hot take. This movie was more about family that Fast X was. Just cause you say the word family about 100 times, doesn't make fetch happen.
One other note. This is the best we could have hoped Blue Beetle as a character would appear on screen. Ted Kord would NOT work. I like that he is referenced here and some of his gadgets, costumes and vehicles show up. This way the toxic fan boys might complain less about seeing their white super hero replaced by a Latino. Who am I kidding? They'll still complain. Ted Kord is trash, y'all. There, I said it.
If you saw the Flash movie, I'm sorry. I did too. I bring that up because the special effects here are GOOD, unlike that other movie. The only issue I have is the super hero movie trope of the good guy fighting a bad guy version of himself (i.e. two dudes in armor like in Iron Man, Black Panther, Ant-Man). It's the only complaint I have about this movie.
Oh, real quick. Susan Sarandon is straight up the villain in this movie, y'all. I feel like she had a lot of fun with it. She got to ham it up and it is something to behold. She's also so good at it you want her to get what's coming to her.
Finally, the musical score is really good. The marketing and the logo has this 80's vibe and all I could think is, "Here we go again with this 80's nostalgia bullshit". It works here, so my cynicism is not always on point.
I absolutely recommend this movie. Of course, right before the power shifts at DC, they start making some enjoyable movies. I have no idea what to expect from James Gunn and the upcoming Aquaman, but at least for a shining moment, DC has made a few movies I've liked these past few years.
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