Blue Beetleis stuck somewhere in between what is known as the DCEU (i.e.
the newly revamped cinematic universe from the studio’s current guy-in-charge James Gunn).
Translation: F— yeah!
Xolo Maridueña stars as the titular Blue Beetle in DC’s superhero movie.Warner Bros. Pictures
(Both Alberto and Jaime’s abuela/Nana played by Adriana Barraza are undocumented.)
Conrad Carapax (Raoul Trujillo); and her niece, Jenny Kord (Bruna Marquezine).
One thing spirals into the next and Jaime inadvertently helps Jenny steal an ancient Scarab.
(L to R) Elpidia Carrillo, George Lopez, Xolo Maridueña, Belissa Escobedo, and Damían Alcázar in ‘Blue Beetle’.Warner Bros. Pictures
Blue Beetlediffers from the comics in a few ways.
Notably, Carapax’s backstory is much different.
In the source material, Carapax is an archeologist who haphazardly fuses his brain to an indestructible robot.
Xolo Maridueña in ‘Blue Beetle’.Warner Bros. Pictures
A far cry from the terrible graphics ofThe Flash, Soto’s action sequences are exciting and impressive.
What does animo mean?
Latinos are used to being under-appreciated and left out.
The Latino community is not a monolith, this is true.
It smoothly weaves in messages of displacement and gentrification, while also showing strength, honor, and pride.
In a standout moment near the final act, Soto pays homage to Latina women.
Fight now, cry later.
It’s an endearing and different messaging for a culture that is still battling to overcome its own machismo.
But the biggest flaw is not allowing Carapax’s backstory to be revealed sooner.
For the most part, Carapax says very little, the film mainly playing on his appearance.
