Warner Bros. Discovery is on the brink of shaking up their shared DC movie universe, but first up is the big screen debut of Blue Beetle. With a lukewarm reception from several films in DC’s recent lineup, Blue Beetle had a lot riding on its armor-covered shoulders. Is this a superhero flick that’s still worth checking out in theaters, or is it worth skipping in favor of giving attention to other comic book adaptations? Let’s take a look at Blue Beetle to find out.

The Good

Blue Beetle is a simple standalone story, which is quite refreshing in a modern superhero movie. There’s no discussion about the multiverse or time travel, and there’s no cameos of other superheroes shoehorned in. It’s a superhero movie that tells its own beginning-to-end story without worrying about other movies, characters, or universes. It’s how storytelling should be done and feels like a classic-style superhero flick made today. It’s a breath of fresh air.

Thanks to Blue Beetle’s transformative powers and unlimited arsenal, the action is extremely entertaining throughout. Every fight scene feels like an amusement park ride while also looking rather cool due to the unique armor designs. After seeing the epic battles on screen, it’s hard not to also want this as a video game so that we can all experience that level of high-flying fun.

What further adds to the riveting action are the outstanding special effects. There are some here or there that are far from the best effects in a movie, but for the most part, they are especially great. The alien armor looks completely realistic, even as parts of it transform. This was a character that fans were wary of being made in live action because of how effects-heavy it would be, and the filmmakers excelled at bringing him to life.

While the movie may be fun, it’s also incredibly emotional. It’s probably one of the most emotion-driven origin stories for a superhero movie. Jaime’s relationship with his family is quite touching, and there are multiple tragic moments worth shedding a tear for. The emotional scenes also add real stakes to the action and danger. It all allows the audience to feel real concern for the characters and feel more attached to them.

The movie also serves as important representation as it centers on the first Latino superhero to get his own big screen movie as well as his family. Said representation is done really well and feels organic, probably due to the film’s director, Angel Manuel Soto, having lived these similar experiences (outside being a superhero). It’s nice to see this level of representation dealt with so well.

Blue Beetle also feels like a celebration of the character’s long comic book history. There are nods and references to current and past heroes who have taken up the mantle of Blue Beetle. There’s something for fans of any era of the character, but it all adds to this standalone story. It pays homage to the old and focuses on the new, but that’s part of the point of the story. It’s rare that a movie based on a long-existing superhero does something like this.

The Bad

The overall plot of Blue Beetle isn’t exactly the most original. This isn’t inherently a bad thing, especially since it’s handled well, but it does lead to some predictability. As stated earlier, it feels like a classic superhero movie made today, but that’s for better and worse. It’s nice to revisit and see a modern take on that type of story with fresher-looking effects, but there are times when the story beats feel a bit familiar.

Jaime’s sister, Milagro, is a great best friend character at times, However, she’s mostly just sort of awful. She costs herself and Jaime their jobs when she uses Victoria Kord’s bathroom. Then when Jaime is tasked with something from Jenny Kord that could potentially lead to getting other jobs, Milagro is worth risking it for the sake of opening a fast food box. She also spends a lot of the time dissing the idea of going to college but also complains about not having a job or needing to find a new one. She’s kind of annoying.

Conclusion

Blue Beetle is a fun and emotional superhero movie that doesn’t get bogged down by the mental exhaustion of multiverses, dozens of previous movies, or gratuitous cameos, making it a truly refreshing watch. The action is exciting and the emotional moments are tear-worthy. It doesn’t exactly do too much that feels new, but what it does do is genuinely great. It’s a movie that just about anyone can laugh with, cry with, watch on the edge of their seat, and overall enjoy. If you still haven’t, definitely check out Blue Beetle to see for yourself.

Rating: 9/10

READ NEXT: ‘Black Adam’ Review