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Writer's pictureKen Silvers

Blue Beetle




The DC character of Blue Beetle is certainly not that familiar to non-comic book fans. The current version of Blue Beetle, aka Jaime Reyes, a Mexican-America, made his first appearance in the comic book world in Infinite Crisis #3 in 2006.  Reyes is the third character to assume the Blue Beetle mantle, with the original being introduced back in 1939 in Fox Comics. The original Beetle was followed by two more characters in the role in 1964 and 1966 respectively. The new incarnation of Blue Beetle came about as a result of Reyes having an alien scarab bond with him, giving him a suit with extraterrestrial power. The movie "Blue Beetle" begins just before Jaime (Xolo Mariduena) becomes in contact with the scarab. Reyes has returned to Palmera City after graduating from Gotham Law University ready to celebrate with his family. However, Reyes is met with the distressing news his family is facing eviction from their home due to financial struggles. Despite the families money struggles, Reyes sister Milagro (Belissa Escobedo) lands a job at the home of Victoria Kord (Susan Sarandon), the CEO of Kord Industries, who have located an ancient alien artifact know as the Scarab. Jaime is also working at Victoris's home, but both are fried after Jaime attempts to stop a confrontation between Victoria and her niece Jenny (Bruna Marquezine). Despite the setback, Jenny thanks him for his effort, and tells him to stop by Kord Tower the next day for a job opportunity. The following day, Jenny discovers Victoria is using the found Scarab for her OMAC (One Man Army Corps) projects, and realizes her aunt is up to no good. Jenny then steals the Scarab and while fleeing the Kord Tower hands the hidden Scarab to Jaime and tells him to keep the box she handed him safe and not to look inside. Once at home with his family, Jaime is convinced to open the hamburger box the device is hidden in. Once Jaime touches the Scarab, it activates and fuses with him, encasing him in an armored exoskeleton which causes panic with him and his family members. After the shock of what has happened subsides, Jaime confronts Jenny after rescuing her from Victoria' forces. Jenny reveals the Scarab has willingly chosen Jaime to be its host, and he has no choice in the matter. Now that he has discovered he must deal with his new situation, Jaime accepts his destiny and, along with his family, which includes his eccentric Uncle Rudy (George Lopez), take-no-prisoners grandmother Nana (Adriana Barraza), his mom Rocio (Elpidia Carrillo), and sister Milagro, team with Jenny to battle Victoria and her formattable OMAC forces led by bodyguard Igancio Carapax (Raoul Max Trujillo). Carapax is a formattable foe as he has been injected with a prototype of the Scarab, so his battle with Jaime is intense. During the story Jaime discovers via Jenny about the original Blue Beetle, who happed to be Jenny's father. Jaime accepts the mantle of Blue Beetle and discovers a Bugship used by his predecessor. The film concludes with an epic showdown on an island near Cuba, leaving our hero and his family triumph. The film is pure fun, with Mariduean being perfectly cast as BB. It's disappointing the movie didn't fare better at the box office, as the Blue Beetle" is not only action packed, but introduces a live action version of a cool but often overlooked DC character. It has been announced that Mariduena will continue in the role of Blue Beetle in the new DC cinematic universe, of which I am happy to hear. The film does feature a mid-credits scene and one animated scene post credits. I recommend "Blue Beetle" for comic book fans and anyone who wants to kick back and enjoy an action-packed film origin story for a superhero who deserves the live-action treatment. (Rated PG-13) 

4/5

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