As a Latino growing up, we didn’t have many heroes in the barrio. We learned to keep our heads down and not look at the world around us when we ride our bikes in our neighborhoods or when we ball at the courts. We did have hobbies that kept us busy when we had to stay inside due to the violence outside at night. I had my comic book collection as I loved to read, and I did enjoy the stories of superheroes.

Eventually, DC Comics created a new iteration of a superhero that we all knew from previous stories during their DC Rebirth. Jaime Reyes became the third rendition of Blue Beetle and provided a story that spoke to us as a novela. We all love novelas, no matter if we admit it or not. Director Angel Manuel Soto stayed really close to the story of Jaime Reyes and even acknowledge the past Blue Beetle from the comics in his latest movie.

We were able to attend the screening a few weeks ago in Austin, TX. The director Angel Manuel Soto came out to the crowd prior to the movie to thank us for attending and being able to bring his vision to the silver screen. I don’t want to spoil too much of the movie, so I will be brief below in our review. I will say this though, as a fan of comics and comic book movies, this is a MUST SEE movie!

Angel Manuel Soto Speech Alamo Drafthouse Austin TX

Our Thoughts:

Pro:

• Story
  • Your introduced to Jaime Reyes, a recent grad from college, that comes home with lot of aspirations for his future. He is given some heavy news about his home life from his family as well as had trouble finding a job. He is eventually able to work with his sister as a cleaner for the Kord family and later was able to help out Jenny Kord with an argument. Promised from Jenny to help him with a job offer, he met up with her at the Kord building. He unknowingly has possession of an ancient relic that low and beholds, choses him to be their host. As he transformers in to the Blue Beetle, Jaime will have to make decisions to help his family, Jenny Kord, and the people who are trying to possess the power of the Blue Beetle.
• Felt Like A Comic Book Movie
  • I know I know, don’t tase me bro! I know this is a comic book movie but the past few years, comic book movies have not been fun to watch. They have become boring, repetitive, and not as grand as how they should have been. When I watched Blue Beetle, the director Angel Manuel Soto brought his vision to Blue Beetle story through his movie. He reignited my fire as a fan of comic book movies and super heroes with his latest film. Very thankful for Angel Manuel Soto!

Con:

• George Lopez
  • FTP

Rating: 9 out of 10

Watch Blue Beetle at Theaters Starting August 18