By Daniel Paiz

Blue Beetle is a film that’s advertised as a fun summer flick, with action and laughs abound. What was witnessed throughout DC’s debut film in the James Gunn era is so much more than that; there are levels to this. There is a whole lot of action. There are funny parts throughout the film, and the best part about those are they feel natural. There is intrigue and backstory to dig through. It was simply impossible to not write a Cypher Flicks review about this movie.

It might be bold to state this, but Blue Beetle is DC’s Black Panther moment, and it is right on time.

The motors of the story

Every core character of this film plays their role to the fullest, adding to the overall story as well as giving a buffet of characters to enjoy. Jaime Reyes (Xolo Maridueña) and Jenny Kord (Bruna Marquezine) might be the two beacons of interest as the films unwinds, but the Reyes family is everything. Every member is crucial to Jaime, and it’s hard not to start with Uncle Rudy Reyes (George Lopez).

Part comedic relief, part key support due to being a lowkey inventor whiz, Uncle Rudy is almost a visual double entendre. He’s that uncle that Latino families always refer to as the crazy one or quirky and out there one, but also everyone in the audience has a relative similar to Rudy. Someone who is misunderstood, funny or eccentric, and well-meaning despite the bumpy or loner exterior. His impact is a bit understated despite how big of a persona he has throughout the story. The true motors aside from Rudy though are Nana, Ma, and Milagro, and Alberto (Jaime’s father).

Women in families and society are often those who run the family, keep them together, and provide far more than given credit for. Nana Reyes (Adrianna Barraza) is abuela and one that is supportive, feisty, honest, and the one the family listens to the most. There are a few lines that stick out as to how much the family needs to hear her words. After a tragic event, Nana rallies the family by saying (in Spanish) “there is a time to cry but this isn’t that time, this is the time to fight!”; after some much needed resolution towards the end, she points out the obvious “now is the time to cry” (again, in Spanish).

Ma aka Rocio Reyes (Elpidia Carillo) plays a similar role of support and seems a bit more worried about things than Nana or Milagro. Milagro Reyes (Belissa Escobedo) is an observant wisecracker who takes things as they come and proceeds from there. She has her moments of impact, and like Nana, they are key roles for what’s happening.

The heart of the family is actually Alberto Reyes (Damián Alcázar), better known as Jaime’s father. Alberto is losing his garage, having heart problems, and close to losing the family home, but despite this wants the focus to be on family unity. Getting through the tough times like they’ve done before is what matters to Alberto.

El padre y el hijo

Jaime and Alberto’s relationship is a bit understated compared to Uncle Rudy and Nana’s connections. However, this one is the most vital for the titular hero because they both share in being journeymen of purpose. Jaime has just finished college and like all college graduates, is wondering what’s next. Alberto has the weight of supporting his family due to the recent ills listed above. And yet, they both seem to keep looking forward, to keep searching and thinking on how to find that unknown next step.

Purpose is one of those lifelong destinations, and these two appear to be kindred spirits on that trail. The interactions between them are brief, but important for Jaime to grow. The outcome of the Reyes patriarch is impactful, and without expecting it might just tug at your heartstrings.

Not so different from each other

Billed as the initial villain for Blue Beetle, Carapax (Raoul Max Trujillo) is the guy who has gone through a whole bunch to get to this point of being the war machine Victoria Kord (Susan Sarandon) is looking for. Carapax is a tragic character, one perhaps more aligned on the side of anti-hero instead of villain. How he develops his skills and status are true monikers of the United States government: invade other countries for their own gain, take potential from those countries, teach them at the School of the Americas (SOA), and watch what’s next.

Kord clearly has benefited from the SOA and uses Carapax like a war guinea pig. However, he had a family, a mother he loved, and that life was taken from him. The decisions of Victoria Kord as well as others who utilize these highly trained individuals directly impact both Jaime and Carapax’s lives. Ideally, the understanding between these two can lead to something more down the road. Just like in real life, people with similar struggles and tragedy are pitted against each other by those who committed said atrocities; the social commentary from their interactions are something worth paying attention to.

Final Verdict

Ted Kord might be a name more familiar to you if you’re someone who is into Blue Beetle. Luckily for you, director Angel Manuel Soto and head writer Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer have kept that in mind. Uncle Rudy is clearly a fan, and there might just be a few things diehard Blue Beetle fans enjoy. For the rest of us, this film is a thrill ride from start to finish. The music selections are perfect. From Calle 13’s Atrévete-Te-Te booming during our landing into Palmera City, to Cypress Hill’s heart pounding I Ain’t Goin’ Out Like That during a crucial fight scene, the soundtrack is lush with grooves and sabor.

DC has had the reputation of coming up short lately when it comes to its movies. There is a reason I keep calling Blue Beetle the DC version of Black Panther. The focus on family, the impact of the father-son relationship, the women who keep things moving and keep the family together. Blue Beetle has all of this, plus some laughs and fight scenes that work well for this story.

On top of that, there’s a Latino superhero that isn’t the bad guy or isn’t secondary to the main character (I love Namor and Talokan but they don’t get the headlining spot like Beetle does here). It’s refreshing to see folks who aren’t given this spotlight take on these roles. To tell such a realistic story in terms of family dynamics and dealing with current issues of being priced out of one’s home is both honest and necessary. Blue Beetle is long overdue, and I’m glad it’s here.