“Blue Beetle” First Reactions: A Funny, Poignant, Exciting Film Led by a Stellar Xolo Maridueña
A heartfelt story steeped in Latin culture with charismatic characters and a ripping plot—you couldn’t ask for better first reactions from Blue Beetle, the second-to-last DC Studios film to premiere during the new tenure of James Gunn and Peter Safran, who are taking DC Studios in a brand new direction. (Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, which is due in theaters on December 20, is the last DC Studios film from the previous era.) From the tenor of these initial reactions to director Angel Manuel Soto‘s Blue Beetle, it sounds like there might be plenty of people hoping that star Xolo Maridueña’s Jaime Reyes/Blue Beetle becomes a part of Gunn and Safran’s new-look DC Universe.
Maridueña stars as Jaime Reyes, a college graduate who inherits some spectacular (and unpredictable) powers when he comes into contact with an alien scarab. Jaime’s newfound abilities present some serious post-college challenges for a young man trying to find his way, one of those being unpuzzling why the alien scarab arrived on Earth in the first place and what he’s supposed to do with these spectacular abilities he now possesses.
The film comes from aforementioned Charm City Kings director Angel Manuel Soto, from a script by Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer, and is the first DC film to focus on a Latino superhero, centering Jaime’s family, which includes his mom, dad, sister, grandmother, and uncle.
Blue Beetle arrives on August 18. Let’s take a quick, spoiler-free tour of the first reactions:
Impressed by the pop culture details & historical references in BLUE BEETLE. From MACARIO, to CRONOS, and El CHAPULÍN COLORADO. But even more so that the infamous School of the Americas is integral to the story. This is the work of filmmakers who know & care about Latin America. pic.twitter.com/Li7ZTK629m
— Carlos Aguilar (@Carlos_Film) August 10, 2023
#BlueBeetle is a MASSIVE win for DC & an electric introduction to the first hero of the DCU. Xolo Maridueña’s charismatic star making performance confidently anchors this intimate synthwave journey of family, heritage, & purpose. A fresh and endearing spin on the origin story! pic.twitter.com/BlpXS2iKFl
— Griffin Schiller (@griffschiller) August 11, 2023
#BlueBeetle is here & Latinos FINALLY have a superhero of their own reflected on the big screen. The film is so incredibly good, so unique & delivers on all fronts giving the superhero genre much needed sazón! The film ‘s Tangerine Dream inspired synthwave score also rocks! pic.twitter.com/C6QgvexlTx
— Umberto Gonzalez #BlueBeetleBattalion🪲💙 (@elmayimbe) August 11, 2023
Happy to report that @angelmanuelsoto’s #BlueBeetle is definitely a great time at the movies! Not only is it a fantastic introduction to Jaime Reyes as a character/hero, but also a love letter to the Latino culture, that focuses on family as its foundation. @bluebeetle 1/3 pic.twitter.com/ieVw0DSR2Z
— Fico (@FicoCangiano) August 11, 2023
The first buzz for #BlueBeetle, DC’s latest superhero action fantasy, is skewing positive in advance of its August 18 debut, with critics declaring that it’s a good time at the movies and a love letter to Latino culture https://t.co/lzL7ieICrg
— TheWrap (@TheWrap) August 11, 2023
#BlueBeetle is my favorite post-Nolan DC film.
It’s an action packed, highly entertaining superhero story about family…& there’s nothing more important than family.
The film is unique in that it lovingly & unabashedly shares the Reyes family’s Mexican culture. @bluebeetle 🧵 pic.twitter.com/o6Q9kUrbeC
— POC Culture (@POCculture) August 11, 2023
#BlueBeetle is a heartfelt and enjoyable addition to the DC universe. A phenomenal cast with charismatic characters and an intriguing plot. The representativity means a lot and it’s great to see. Xolo as the lead is simply amazing and can’t wait for more of him.
Review soon. pic.twitter.com/Izg8BHh43u
— The Hollywood Handle (@hollywoodhandle) August 11, 2023
#BlueBeetle stands out from previous DC entries & its mostly due to the Latin flavor, let’s be real. It’s funny, emotional & the action scenes w BB are amazing! The cast is beautiful, but Maridueña & López SHINE. Can’t wait to see more! Congrats al BORI @angelmanuelsoto LFG!! 💙 pic.twitter.com/Uh90ETdNXG
— Genesis O’Neill (@genesisoneill) August 11, 2023
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Featured image: Caption: XOLO MARIDUEÑA as Blue Beetle in Warner Bros. Pictures’ action adventure “BLUE BEETLE,” a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures/™ & © DC Comics
