Blue Beetle, the latest DC movie to hit theaters, is facing its fair share of challenges at the box office. Following the disappointing performance of ‘The Flash,’ the film is struggling to find its footing among audiences. One of the main hurdles the movie faces is the feeling that it would have been better suited for a platform like Disney+ or the CW.
The story of ‘Blue Beetle’ heavily relies on its family component, which provides some emotional depth but ultimately becomes increasingly silly as the movie progresses. The protagonist, played by Xolo Maridueña, is a passive hero for much of the film, leaving most of the heavy lifting to his suit. This lack of agency for the lead character leaves audiences wanting more from the film.
Despite its potential, ‘Blue Beetle’ feels more suited for primetime TV rather than theaters, similar to the upcoming ‘Ms. Marvel’ series. The movie centers around an alien artifact called the Scarab, which bonds with the protagonist. The action sequences in the film are energetic, and the script does incorporate references to the character’s comic book history.
However, it is in the film’s smaller moments where it truly shines. These moments highlight the limitations of the concept and add depth to the otherwise formulaic storyline. Unfortunately, these moments aren’t enough to elevate the movie to the level of success achieved by ‘Shazam!’ in 2019, a superhero movie that set the bar high for the genre.
‘Blue Beetle’ premiered in US theaters on August 18 and is rated PG-13. Although the movie has its strengths, such as the casting of Xolo Maridueña as the lead character, it struggles to find its place among audiences. With the ever-changing landscape of superhero movies, it is evident that the expectations have been raised. While ‘Blue Beetle’ may have found success on a different platform, it remains to be seen if it can find the same success on the big screen.
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