Watch Kids' Reviews of
BLUE BEETLE

I really love the film Blue Beetle! One thing I enjoy is the strong cultural theme at its center. It is a great sci-fi film, with a great tone and some pretty fun comedic scenes and characters, which is different for a DC movie.

The storyline is set in Palmera City where Jamie Reyes (Xolo Maridueña), a Gotham pre-law graduate, is trying to get a job. When he meets Jenny Kord (Bruna Marqueszine), she gives him a piece of alien technology called the "Scarab" that gives him superpowers. The plot thickens when a woman named Victoria Kord (Susan Sarandon) tries to steal the Scarab back from Jamie, putting his entire family in danger.

The storyline is great. What this story does differently than other superhero movies is make the main character's family a big part of the action. There are a lot of other unique things about this film, too. I love the way the director and writers bring representation of Latino culture into the film through the characters and the sets. Palmera City, Jamie's house and Jamie's family all feel very realistic. The costumes are incredible as well, especially the Blue Beetle suit -- it's slick and has a personality of its own. Of all the characters, my favorite is Rudy (George Lopez), who brings a lot of fun into his scenes. He is the 'tech support' for Jamie, but is also a conspiracy theorist, and there are a lot of jokes based on his quirky personality. The makeup effects are great too; for example the scene where Jamie transforms into the Blue Beetle.

The film's message is that family makes you stronger, not weaker, which is a theme I love. Be forewarned that the film has a few violent scenes, a lot of action, some profanity and sexual references.

I give Blue Beetle 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. The film releases in theaters on August 18, 2023.

By Connor S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 10

By Connor S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 10

Blue Beetle is a fascinating adventurous movie that checks off every box. It brings you to laughter, tears and everything in between all while being an intense blockbuster film!

Blue Beetle takes place in Palmera City, and follows Jamie Reyes (Xolo Mariduena) who starts off as a typical college graduate trying to find himself and his calling. That all changes when an ancient relic, a Scarab, chooses Jamie as its host and sends him and his family on a life changing adventure.

A huge standout in this film is the creative storyline. I really enjoyed the idea of the Scarab, and how the characters go about finding a solution. Each character really comes to life, and watching their journey is so interesting. This movie hits all the marks and has something for everyone. There are so many comedic scenes, yet still definitely has some tear-jerking moments, especially in the end. These different dynamics contribute to creating a well-rounded film, which leads up to the satisfaction that comes at the end. It is quite intense and had me on the edge of my seat most of the time. Another thing I enjoyed are the characters. They each have their own personalities and skills, but ultimately come together through their common love of family. For example, Jamie, Blue Beetle, is more of a go-with-the-flow kind of guy and a little unsure of himself. Then there's Jenny (Bruna Marquezine), who is confident and experienced. Rudy (George Lopez) likes to take risks and often prays for the best. All of these different characteristics and personalities come together and mesh so well in creating a power team!

Lastly, the scenery in this movie is outstanding. The island is beautiful and the CGI is extremely clear. From the clear blue ocean water, to the local heartwarming neighborhoods, everything is extremely appealing to the eye. These features draw my attention, and locked me into what I'm watching.

The message of Blue Beetle is that strength comes from love and hope. Be forewarned that this film contains some strong language, aggressive violence and use of weapons.

I give Blue Beetle 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it to ages 12 to 18, plus adults. Blue Beetle releases in theaters August 18, 2023.

Mikella G., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 17

Blue Beetle is an awesome movie! I like it because the story revolves around family and it's a comedic sci-fi film made me laugh and cry.

Blue Beetle is about a young man named Jaime Reyes (Xolo Maridueña), who returns home after graduating from college and discovers that his family is about to lose their house. When he and his sister, Milagro Reyes (Belissa Escobedo), get jobs working at the house of Victoria Kord (Susan Sarandon), Milagro's mischief causes them to get fired, but not before they meet Victoria's niece, Jenny Kord (Bruna Marquezine). Jenny offers to help Jaime land a job at Kord Industries but instead, she winds up asking him to protect the Scarab, an alien artifact that turns him into the Blue Beetle. The Scarab gives Jaime superhero powers but he is reluctant to use them until his family and Jenny become the target of the film's villain, Victoria Kord. She wants to harness the power of the Scarab to build superhuman warriors and rule the world.

You won't want to miss this heart-warming action-packed film. Throughout the entire film, the cinematography is so good that it feels like you are right in the middle of all the action. My favorite part is when Jaime is in danger and his family and Jenny rescue him by using advanced technology developed by Jenny's late father. Even Jaime's grandmother, Nana (Adriana Barraza), shows off her impressive combat skills by wielding a futuristic-looking rainbow-colored cannon. The upbeat Latin-inspired soundtrack adds even more energy to the already intense scenes as Jaime's loved ones risk their safety to protect him. I was especially impressed by Uncle Rudy's (George Lopez) bravery when he faced off against Carapax (Raoul Max Trujillo) and narrowly avoided being hit by a fireball. Overall, this movie is truly a thrilling and action-packed ride that will have you rooting for the Reyes family as they laugh together, encourage one another, and cope with tragedy.

The film's message is that family matters more than anything else, and the love of your family make you strong even when things seem impossible. Be forewarned that there are some strong language and scenes with blood and gore that may be scary for a younger audience.

I give Blue Beetle 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. Blue Beetle is available in movie theaters on August 18, 2023.

By Kira O., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 11

I really enjoyed Blue Beetle. The characters are heartwarming and lovable while the VFX are beautiful. The message of this film is about family which I felt was a genuine storyline and not the typical family story line we see in movies.

The storyline follows Jaime Reyes (Xolo Mariduena), a recent college graduate, who is chosen by an alien scarab to be its symbiotic host. The alien scarab gives the teen a suit of armor with extraordinary and unpredictable powers, forever altering his future as he becomes the superhero known as Blue Beetle.

Blue Beetle Is a great family film with a theme used correctly while having lovable characters. What makes the characters so lovable? Their charisma and charm. The best example of this is Rudy Reyes (George Lopez) who steals the show. Anytime he's on camera it's going to be a good time. The other character that's lovable is Nana Reyes (Adrianna Brazza) who is heartwarming to watch on camera while still remaining a funny character. I won't say more about her because, if I do, I might spoil some of her best moments. If you see this film you'll understand. Finally the person that I believe to be the heart of this film is Alberto Reyes (Damian Alcazar). This character is how the theme of this film is used correctly with very few lines. He somehow makes an impact on this film greater than anybody else. Without him this film wouldn't be the same. Now let's talk about the VFX. This movie is a breath of fresh air. The VFX for this film is pretty beautiful. There's one moment with Jaime and his dad that is just magnificent and even the Blue Beetle suit looks realistic. Even with all these good things Blue Beetle has its flaws. There are some moments in this film that could have been better like providing scenes that give it more depth. I know the character Blue Beetle, but if this is your first time ever seeing the character Blue Beetle you won't know much about his backstory. You will still enjoy it - it's a great experience and you should definitely go watch it.

The theme of this film is about family. It deals with all the things surrounding a family, such as the loss of a family member, the struggles of a family to afford rent that month, or issues with each other. All of these problems blend so well that, by the end of the film, the characters have grown and learned. It gives them development. It's kind of hard to describe how wonderfully portrayed the theme of family is here. In order to truly understand you have to go watch the film.

I give Blue Beetle 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommended it for ages 12 to 18. This film releases in theaters on August 18, 2023

By Rayce S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 14

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Recent college grad Jaime Reyes returns home full of aspirations for his future, only to find that home is not quite as he left it. As he searches to find his purpose in the world, fate intervenes when Jaime unexpectedly finds himself in possession of an ancient relic of alien biotechnology: the Scarab. When the Scarab suddenly chooses Jaime to be its symbiotic host, he is bestowed with an incredible suit of armor capable of extraordinary and unpredictable powers, forever changing his destiny as he becomes the Super Hero Blue Beetle.