DVD Corner

Blue Beetle 4K UHD Review

“Blue Beetle” is one of the best DC films. 

Based on the DC comic book series of the same name, “Blue Beetle” revolves around college graduate Jaime Reyes. Upon returning home, Jamie discovers his family is on the verge of being evicted. In desperate need of money, Jaime and his sister (Milagro) land gigs at Victoria Kord’s (of Kord Industries) home. While sticking up for Jenny Kord, Jaime and his sister are fired, but Jenny decides to help him out. Jaime heads to Kord Tower for what he assumes is a new job, but instead finds himself being handed an alien artifact known as The Scarab. You see, Jenny has taken it from Victoria who wants to weaponize it for One Man Army Corps projects and she gives it to Jaime to hide. To no surprise, Jaime scopes it out and the sentient alien artifact chooses Jaime as his host. As a result, Jaime soon finds himself being covered by a super powered exoskeleton suit. As Jaime and his family discover more about the Scarab and its past, Victoria and her bodyguard Carapax (who also has a suit) are trying to locate Jaime and The Scarab.

It’s no secret that DC has had a rough spell with their film slate over the past decade, but between “The Batman,” “The Flash” and now “Blue Beetle,” things might be turning around. 

“Blue Beetle” doesn’t reinvent the comic book movie genre but it does finally offer up Latino representation (something sorely lacking in the comic book movie world). The movie itself is simple and enjoyable and it plays like a cross between “The Rocketeer,” “Iron Man,” with a hint of “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers.” And that’s perfectly fine. It’s a hero’s journey kind of origin story, but like another franchise out there (Fast and Furious) this one is also about family. It may be Jaime’s story, but his sister (Milagro), grandma (Nana), father (Alberto), uncle (Rudy) and mother (Rocio) are integral to the plot and Jaime’s own journey. It’s a story with heart and that’s a credit to writer Gareth Dunnet-Aloccer. 

Plot wise, there is, of course, a lot of set-up and exposition with a couple villains along the way. The final act is an action bonanza that runs a bit too long, but that’s par for the course for most comic book movies. On the subject of the action, the action is bigger than you think. Despite having a significantly lower budget than most DC fare, the special effects are somehow 10 times better than “The Flash.” Director Ángel Manuel Soto certainly makes the most of his budget to deliver thrilling set pieces by air and by land. 

As mentioned above, this is a family type of story and the ensemble cast really elevates it. Xolo Maridueña may be most well known for “Cobra Kai,” but now he just might be a movie star with his performance as Jaime Reyes. He’s charismatic, funny and proves he can lead a big blockbuster. Most viewers will agree that Adriana Barraza steals the movie as the badass grandma Nana who has quite the past. George Lopez brings the funny as the resourceful Uncle Rudy. Belissa Escobedo shines as Milagro and has great chemistry with Xolo. Same goes for Bruna Marquezine (Jenny Kord) who is bound to pop up in more films in the future.

A lack of promotion and the film industry strikes prevented “Blue Beetle” from being a bigger hit and it’s a real shame as this deserved to find more of an audience. Hopefully, more viewers will discover it on home video and streaming. 

Video/Audio:

Presentation: 2.39:1 2160p. How does it look? Pristine.

Audio Track: Dolby Atmos. How does it sound? The sound effects game is strong here (especially with the suits and action sequences).

Extras:
* Digital copy
* “Blue Beetle Origins”- A 4 part extra that covers the comic book origins, production, costume design, Xolo’s training, filming in Puerto Rico, the score, themes, and production design.
* “Scarab Vision”- A 2 episode feature that offers up behind-the-scenes looks at the transformation and Blue Beetle learning about his powers sequences.
* “Blue Beetle’s Nana Knows Best”- A short extra about Jaime’s grandma Nana.

October 30, 2023 - Posted by nicklyons1 | 4K UHD Review | Blue Beetle, Blue Beetle 4K UHD Review, DC Movie, Jaime Reyes, Xolo Maridueña