Blue Beetle was one movie given a reprieve in the culling that claimed Batgirl. Originally slated for HBO Max, the film debut for the revamped Charlton character got a coveted theatrical slot for next summer. Work is still being done on the visual effects to meet that date so we haven’t seen a lot of leaks or spoilers aside from star Xolo Maridueña in costume.
Set photos for Blue Beetle dropped and goddamn that suit is beautiful pic.twitter.com/bCqZLjpXiA
— Retro 🇭🇹 (@retro_1999) May 25, 2022
That is until now. Intel from a test screening held a few months ago was given to YouTube content creator and pundit Mr. H Reviews. After some verification, he is ready to talk about the mild and innocuous spoilers out in the open. He doesn’t give too much away but the things he shares could be key in sinking or buoying the film for fans.
Right off the bat, Mr. H urges everyone to take his information with a grain of salt though his track record is in high standing. In any case, he hears the state of Blue Beetle was a rough cut without all the CGI inserted. Despite being in that rough shape, however, and nothing very groundbreaking, the film is said to be “entertaining.”
Its vibe is described as “late ’90s” and caters to a younger audience. Mr. H is taken aback by that though he believes some “will find that endearing.” There is a nostalgia for that era and films that came out in the middle of it such as Batman & Robin, Spawn, Crow: City of Angels, and even Mystery Men, like it or not, have devoted followers.
Mr. H adds aesthetic choices seen in leaked photos make sense for the target demo. They are bolstered by the idea of family as a central theme — which is far from rare in the superhero and action genres. We will see more of that side of Jaime Reyes’ life wended through by Cobra Kai star Xolo Maridueña in the lead.
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Jaime is very much the heart of the film and Maridueña stands out in his performance in such a way that could help him break bigger in Hollywood. However, we meet members of the extended Reyes clan that steal parts of the movie. For instance, Jaime’s crazy uncle Rudy played by comedian George Lopez shows up for some comic relief.
By the sound of it, a good number of the players try and bring their all but that can’t be said of Susan Sarandon who plays the central villain, Victoria Kord, whose name is a nod to Blue Beetle no. 2, Ted Kord. She is considered very “generic” and part of what’s wrong with modern movies and storytelling — adversaries that aren’t compelling.
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Another “drawback,” Mr. H says, is the heavy use of CGI lying in wait for the final cut. For him, while he hears the action is good, a lot of money is spent on visual effects and it is harder and harder to recoup those costs. Look no further than Avatar 2 and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever at Disney for reference.
The source added Blue Beetle borrows a lot from the first Iron Man and Leigh Whannel’s Upgrade. This is mostly due to the scarab and the AI within it that takes over when the suit is on or in battle mode. But, again, they take a “kid-friendly” approach with the material. There is no excessive gore or R-rated situations.
Kids and teens should enjoy it. Families might too. More mature audiences will be “moderately amused,” Mr. H said. What the suit does is reportedly pretty cool no matter your age. Additionally, there are references to The Flash and Supergirl that set the film in the Multiverse but don’t be shocked if these things are cut by next summer. Remember, DC has new sheriffs.
NEXT: DC Announces New Blue Beetle Movie Focusing On Jamie Reyes