A Comprehensive Review of the Film Blue Beetle: A Disappointing Chloroform to the Genre

If there is one thing that the film The Blue Beetle fails to deliver, it’s unpredictability. From the cringe-worthy dialogues to the hit-or-miss performances, this superhero film seems to have been churned out like a checklist item. I can confidently say that The Blue Beetle is one of the most boring films I have ever seen in my life. While it may not be as catastrophic as The Fantastic Four (2015), it certainly deserves a very prominent mention in the ranks of the forgettable superhero films.

Failing to Deliver a Compelling Origin Story

The Blue Beetle was certainly in desperate need of a well-crafted origin story, both for its main character Jaime Reyes and the alien scarab. Unfortunately, the film miserably failed to achieve this. Jaime’s family overshadowed him, and at several points, the film felt more like an ensemble piece rather than focusing on a singular protagonist. If the script had shifted the focus from Jaime’s family to the young hero himself, it could have had a much more substantial impact. While the familial interplay had moments that were well-executed, particularly the switching between Spanish and English, it was challenging to form a real emotional connection to any of the characters. The supporting cast was interestingly developed, but Jaime himself barely had the screen time to blossom into a complex character as seen in the animated series Young Justice. Clearly, this is a character that can be brought to life with proper development, but the film utterly failed to achieve this.

A Case of the Plagiarized Clichés

When the story is limited to clichés and tacked-on familiar elements, it starts to feel like the creators were merely checking off the boxes on a list. The film feels uninspired, unimaginative, and wasteful of this character’s potential. The alien scarab, which is the central element to the story, is overpowered until it’s suddenly underpowered. There is no exploration of its origin or purpose, and aside from a minor freakout, Jaime seems just fine with fusing with an alien symbiote. Moreover, it was peculiar how the scarab chose a random civilian kid over a more fitting candidate. ‘Why pick him? Because it’s his destiny, not kidding. Dead dad’s ghost literally says that in the near-death scene.’ This plot point was not only contrived but also undermined the logic of the story.

Conclusion: A Cinematic Letdown

To conclude, unless you have a personal affection for The Blue Beetle, there is no point in wasting your time on this film. For a truly compelling and nuanced portrayal of the character, I would advise you to watch the animated series Young Justice instead. The animated series has done an excellent job in developing Jaime Reyes into a complex and multidimensional character, showing that with the right narrative approach, this character can be a fascinating and engaging watch for viewers.