It’s been a decade since DC unsuccessfully attempted to copy Marvel’s homework with its DCEU. Following years of half-baked efforts, it seems as though the higher-ups are willing to admit their mistakes. DCU is starting a new chapter with the arrival of Blue Beetle, a project they’ve had waiting in the wings for too long. As new studio head James Gunn prepares to fix the damage done by Zack Snyder and his ilk, the new DCU marches forward with the simplest possible statement of purpose that is a breath of fresh air for the cinematic universe.
Blue Beetle Is a Straightforward Superhero Origin Story
Genre film fans have watched several studios waste comical piles of money to make the same mistake. Everyone saw the success of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and tripped over their own avarice to do the same; cloying, embarrassing attempts to turn whatever IP they could find into a shared continuity clogged every multiplex. DC undoubtedly provided the most impressive example, but its self-sacrifice was tough to ignore.
Two movies in, Warner Bros. introduced its entire upcoming slate in a montage awkwardly shoved into their Batman v. Superman movie. The company watched Marvel make a few decent origin stories, then bring its heroes together for a team-up, but it failed to learn the basic lesson of their example. Blue Beetle, however, suggests to me that the new DCU has watched and learned.
Blue Beetle is a simple, humble, old-fashioned origin story for its title character. There’s no sequel baiting, shoehorned cameos, or characters built to spin off in subsequent movies. All acknowledgment of other DC heroes comes in brief jokes or blink-and-you’ll-miss-it Easter eggs. Jaime Reyes and his supporting cast get the film to themselves. There’s a mid-credits scene, but it’s a tease for a prospective sequel rather than an unrelated franchise entry.
Blue Beetle exhibits a level of restraint that could be critical to the new DCU. It’s as if the film knows it’s the start of something. There’s confidence to be gained from a project that doesn’t feel the need to establish anything other than itself. It’s an indictment of the modern blockbuster ecosystem that these virtues should be celebrated. If James Gunn’s DCU is a little less desperate, it’ll be a win for everyone involved.
Blue Beetle Has the Quality Fans Should Expect From the New DCU
All this is not to say that Blue Beetle only succeeds by avoiding pitfalls. It’s a stunningly fun film on its own merits. Though director Ángel Manuel Soto borrows notes from plenty of other superhero films, his unique vision adds enough to keep things interesting. The Reyes family dynamics add a lot of heart and humor.
The Blue Beetle’s powers brighten up every action set piece. The striking synth-heavy score pairs beautifully with the neon-lit set design. Blue Beetle stands out in many weird and wonderful ways. It suggests a film made because someone wanted to see it. So many superhero movies start with a name and hire sufficient staff to bring them to life. Jaime went through the same process, but the finished product feels as if its writer and director were excited to play with the material. There’s a sense when watching Blue Beetle that a very distinct vision was given room to breathe and flourish.
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Indeed, studio meddling is one of the go-to targets for online criticism. Fans hate to see a creator silenced by the purse-string holders that employ them. Even a terrible movie like Suicide Squad will earn some charity when viewers hear how poorly it was handled by the higher-ups. That hasn’t happened here. The people at Warner Bros. have almost certainly laid hands on Blue Beetle, but not at the expense of the filmmakers’ vision.
Fans of DC Comics should expect the creatives hired to handle the new DCU to act with some freedom. Each hero’s series should feel distinct from the next. Directors, writers, and actors must have the creative control to make quality films before the studio starts making mandates. The new DCU needs to put quality first and let its cache build naturally. Blue Beetle is an excellent step in that direction.
DC’s fanbase is strangely bifurcated. Some will defend Zack Snyder‘s efforts to the death while considering anything James Gunn touches to be trash. Others felt Snyder’s hand on the reigns ran the early entries into the ground. No fan is happy with every creative choice. Blue Beetle will be no exception. Even fans who don’t enjoy the film will come to love its lessons. If the new DCU learns from the example of Blue Beetle, all of its iconic heroes will finally have the showcase they deserve.
