It's been a very confusing year for the DC Universe as I've already mentioned in several past reviews. Gone is pretty any groundwork being laid and now we're in a weird limbo where these films - Shazam!, The Flash, the upcoming Aquaman 2, and this Blue Beetle - are supposedly in the to-be-rebooted Gunn-verse.
Personally, I remain skeptical that anything from 2023 DC-related survives into Gunn's universe, especially with someone as toxic as Ezra Miller involved with The Flash...I imagine DC wants to rid themselves of that headache as fast as possible.
So in a busy year for DC-movies-that-probably-dont-mean-anything-but-we're-being-told-they-do, Blue Beetle is an unfortunate casualty. While the earlier DC-slate has not aged in my memory well (I overrated both Shazam! Fury of the Gods - Zachary Levi's comments since haven't helped - and The Flash) but I feel like my opinion on Blue Beetle will remain the same, even after several months.
The superhero origin story is dripping with cliches and been-there-done-that which prevent it from ever exceeding "good" territory, but the things it does do special are ones I'd love to see more of in future installments. For starters, Xolo Mariduena brings the same earnestness he does so well in Cobra Kai, that he would make a wonderful addition to any cinematic universe, similar in the way Tom Holland has added a lot of value as Spider-Man in the MCU. Jamie Reyes' family are mostly forgettable individually, but together there's something special as the emphasis on family(!) is effective and a stand-out feature of this narrative, similar to the way it helps elevate the Fast series. There's also glimpses of great action (that devolves in the finale), a synth-driven original score (that's woefully underutilized), and impressive special effects.
I enjoyed my time with Blue Beetle more than the other DC entries thus far this year (even if the score doesn't reflect it) though I wish it would have pushed itself to be a little more unique in its storytelling, because other aspects - including fantastic and well-implemented Hispanic representation - are worth more than just a generic superhero origin. Should this hero actually find himself in Gunn's universe, I'd be excited as there's untapped potential if the next film leans hard on the special elements.
Rath's Review Score | 6.5/10
Liked this one. It's essentially a DC film made in the MCU style. Loved the uncle and granny.
ReplyDeleteThey were fun elements. Will be interesting to see what actually survives from DC into the new one. I'm pretty convinced the "don't worry, this will be in the new universe" is just to make sure people see it...which isn't working
Delete