Film Review – Blue Beetle

Superhero cinema receives a major test of brand recognition with “Blue Beetle,” the latest comic book property to be turned into big-budget entertainment. The character has been around for quite some time (debuting in its initial form in 1939), but Blue Beetle hasn’t been a breakthrough creation for D.C. Comics, retaining more of a cult appreciation for fans of the company and its literary offerings. With most of the top-tier heroes already brought to the screen, it’s time for the JV squad to have a shot, and director Angel Manuel Soto (“Charm City Kings”) certainly understands the challenge. “Blue Beetle” is a lively introduction to the highly specific world of the character, with the screenplay (by Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer) aiming to provide a vigorous origin story that’s heavy with cultural representation and action. It’s not a particularly rousing study of empowerment, but the feature offers some personality before the sameness of the subgenre takes over for a numbing finale. Read the rest at Blu-ray.com