‘Blue Beetle‘ is an amalgamation of other superhero origin stories which emphasis on family dynamics with comedy drama.
Story
Jaime Reyes, played by Xolo Mariduea, is a recent college graduate who returns home to Palmera City to find that his family has already lost their auto shop, their house is in danger of being seized, and his father, Alberto (Damián Alcázar), has already suffered a heart attack. Jaime commits to finding work, keeping his family’s house, and providing for them in whatever way he can. Unfortunately, the only employment he can find is cleaning Victoria Kord’s (Susan Sarandon) house. Victoria Kord is the owner of Kord Industries, a business that produces its own weapons and robot soldiers. Milagro (Belissa Escobedo), Jaime’s sister, and he are shortly sacked from their employment, but Jenny (Bruna Marquezine), Victoria’s niece, instructs Jaime to visit the Kord offices and she’ll give him a new position within the organization.
Jenny takes a scarab that powers these new machines in order to thwart Victoria’s ambitions to create super troops since she doesn’t like the direction Victoria has taken her father’s business since she took over. Jenny gives the scarab to Jaime when the unaware Jaime visits Kord in search of employment. Soon after, Jaime touches the scarab after feeling some pressure from his family and friends. The scarab clings onto him and turns him into a superhero with a potent exoskeleton that grants him armor and powers while forcing him to struggle for control with the scarab itself.
‘Blue Beetle’ is an amalgamation of Superhero Influences
The plot of Blue Beetle reads like an amalgamation of every other superhero origin story we have ever seen. Jaime’s transformation into a superhero with a body changed by a creature he discovered at a large organization can’t help but make Spider-Man come to mind. The Khaji-Da suit, which is portrayed by Becky G, is strikingly similar to the one Iron Man wore. The discovery of the Blue Beetle’s former owner’s lair feels like a more pop-culture-inspired Batman, while the focus on the family is like a better-managed version of the family in Shazam!, and the afterlife is heavily influenced by Black Panther. The combination of elements is not horrible, yet it is difficult to watch. It’s not a bad combination of ingredients, but it’s challenging to see Blue Beetle and not consider the countless influences from which it was created.
‘Blue Beetle’ is shaped differently than other DC Films
Blue Beetle is definitely more of a human narrative than a superhero one, which is a pleasant surprise to see in a DC movie that explores action with some comedy. After DC discovered creative ways to tell the stories of their core heroes, Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, and Aquaman, Blue Beetle feels like a breath of fresh air. With the familial relationships, the playful tools, and the neon lights that light up Palmera City, Blue Beetle feels considerably lighter. It’s a welcome difference to have a superhero story that doesn’t take itself too seriously because both DC and Marvel have recently battled with a more lighthearted tone.
‘Blue Beetle’ majors in family dynamics
The emphasis on the family as a unit in Blue Beetle sets it apart from all of its sources of inspiration. His father, sister, nana (Adriana Barraza), and uncle Rudy (George Lopez) all accompany Jaime on his family’s adventure to learn about his newly discovered skills. The family’s cooperation is some of Blue Beetle’s most endearing moments because each member of the unit offers something to the table that Jaime needs.
