Where I Watched It: MAX

English Audio Description Provided By: Deluxe

Narrated By Darrin Revitz

It is really hard to know what to do with blue beetle. He’s the end of the old regime, and now James Gunn gets to do whatever he wants with all your favorite DC characters until that eventually loses steam and they give the thing to…. Greta Gerwig. That’s my current running guess. But for now, Miguel from Cobra Kai demands a review.

It’s kinda funny to think that this actor doing all these fight scenes probably learned a lot of his combat skills from battling on Cobra Kai, but what isn’t funny is that this is way too close to another DC superhero story.

Shazam is the story of a boy who does not have powers, but through a random encounter, gains the power to transform into Shazam. He is supported by his family, who fight battles with him.

That is also the plot of blue beetle. Basically, Miguel from Cobra Kai needs a job, goes to his cousin for a job, and meets a girl. Inexplicably, this sweet Latina is the cousin of Susan Sarandon’s evil villain (because I’m assuming Sarandon is Latina now?), and this family company just ain’t what it used to be. Now, she’s secretly producing super soldiers. but not before her niece can stop her by stealing something, telling Miguel not to open a box, and I’m sure everything works out…. OMG he just opened the box! Dude, you had one job. Don’t open the box. Now, you’re Blue beetle, and you have to figure out all your powers, while hellfire reigns down on you and your family, and the fate of the world lies in your hands. If blue beetle can’t stop Susan Sarandon,he’s a dead man walking.

*crickets*?

Sorry, It’s a bit of a mess, and it feels uninspired. I was pretty bored, the comedy rarely works, and Susan Sarandon is awful. Tonally, she feels like she showed up for a different film. Not only does it make no sense for her to be the aunt to our female lead, but she doesn’t seem to know she’s in a goofy superhero movie. Everyone else does. George Lopez is a huge surprise here, and one of the best things about the film. Basically, everyone but Sarandon is fine. And aside from my growing love of an actor I keep referring to as Miguel from Cobra Kai, Sarandon is likely what would put my butt in the seat. I’m willing to make excuses that she’s in some bad movies, but she’s good. Here, she’s in a so-so film and it’s that way partially because of her underwhelming performance. She’s like Riz Ahmed in Venom. A total waste.

There’s a cool concept in here, that just happens to be a little too close to Shazam, and wants the same lesson that you can lean on your family. Surprisingly, though he can’t share his Blue beetle powers, his family manages to actually partake in kicking some butt.

I’ve seen other critics review Blue beetle and not be impressed, and their fans seem to think it’s out of some inability to like Latinx entertainment, or because I’m a white film critic, somehow that precludes me. I’ve seen every other DC offering, as well as Marvel. I’m about as nerdy as they come, and I fucking love Cobra Kai. I was truly wanting this to be amazing. It just isn’t. Want to watch a compelling story with a Latino lead? Check out Cassandro, now on Prime.

The audio description is reliably solid from Deluxe as it focuses on the Beetle transformation, and a particularly funny sequence when Miguel first is infected with the Beetle.

It’s basically about where I thought the Shazam sequel was. And I have the same thought. I want James Gunn to keep both actors in these roles. I don’t know what he wants to do with them, but while their individual films didn’t work, they are perfectly cast already and have charisma for days.Likely, the people who will watch Blue beetle will do so with or without my blessing. but, I’m going slightly positive.

Final Grade: C+