Review of 'Blue Beetle'

In Palmera City Jaime Reyes (Xolo Maridueña) returns home to his family following his graduation to find they have fallen on hard times. Despite his college degree Jaime is unable to find a job so his sister Milagro (Belissa Escobedo) gets him a job cleaning the Victoria Kord's (Susan Sarandon) mansion. When niece Jenny Kord (Bruna Marquezine) confronts Victoria about a super-police technology called “One Man Army Corps” (OMAC) that her father had supposedly scrap but Victoria has secretly revived to sell to world powers Jenny is threatened. After coming to protect Jenny, Jaime and his sister are fired. Jenny is grateful for Jaime's help requesting he visit Kord Tower so she can arrange his employment. Jenny has discovered the mysterious source of technology used for the OMAC - An alien Scarab, which she steals, smuggling it out in a lunch box which she hurriedly passes on to Jaime when he comes for the job as the alarms go off. Unable to contain their interest, Jaime's family encourage him to open the box which contains a device that promptly integrates itself into his body, providing him with an impenetrable suit of armour and incredible weapons. The suit goes through a wild test flight, terrifying Jaime. Just how will they get this alien technology out of Jaime and will he survive the process? Will they be able to stop the evil Victoria from her plans to sell her superweapons?

I had no idea what to expect from Blue Beetle but I was very pleasantly surprised. This is a whole lot of fun that had me laughing out loud in parts. The dialogue is witty and fast which matches the action sequences. Jaime's family is a hoot from the obsession of uncle Rudy (a delightful George Lopez) with is beloved “taco” - a flashy tricked out 4×4 truck - to “Nana” (Adriana Barraza) with her unexpected talent with guns and tactics. There is the typical family squabbling between the conflicting personality types that is a joy to behold. A common theme here is Jaime's inability to get to grips with the advanced alien technology that has taken over his body with hilarious results as he is thrown into battling baddies against his will. The effects look great with the “Blue Beetle” technology quite slick, if a tad confusing in regards to it's limitations as there do not appear to be any though what happens to Jaime later suggests otherwise. Action sequences are huge with massive damage inflicted on the landscape as super-soldiers pound at each other.

The easy to follow (perhaps TOO easy to follow) story focuses Jaime coming to terms with his newfound powers and making good for his family though there is much pain the journey as Kord industries very much want their alien tech back even if it kills Jaime. There is an end-credit sequence that hints at a sequel…

A surprisingly funny and action-packed action hero film that seems to have come from no where. More please.

Rating: “Nearly perfect, but not quite”

Review Date: 2024-06-30

Directed by: Ángel Manuel Soto

Studio: Warner Bros.

Year: 2023

Length: 127 minutes

Genre: Action/Adventure

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9362930/