Change Your Image
ewingfield-89416
Reviews
Blue Beetle (2023)
A travesty compared to the comics origins.
The director and writers have no grasp of Jaime Reyes' character. Jaime Reyes, in my opinion, is the best new character introduced in the last 20 years in comics. His character's deepest desire (extracted by supernatural means) was to be a dentist to provide for his family. Why on earth did they cut out that wholesome part of his characterization? Yes. Lawyers, occasionally help people. Sometimes even for charity, but let's be honest - that is not a profession people go into for altruism by and large. I cracked up that he went to Gotham University for law school as well. The only thing I can envision lawyers from that city doing regularly is filing papers to keep (likely guilty) clients out of prison or dodging acid attacks in the courtroom. Was there an aside that he got a prelaw class with a guest lecture by Dent? Why not have Jaime go to Ivy college? Why would a family struggling send a kid out of state for a higher education? That does not make sense to me. Even with scholarships - unless it is a full ride - that is a big step for families without extensive resources.
This may have been a film about Blue Beetle, but this is not Jaime Reyes. Cutting out his supporting cast, Paco and Brenda was not necessary. I wish we had gotten to see actual kid sister Milagros. I liked the actress, but I wish she had been depicted younger.
I like the new character of Jenny Kord even if I feel they didn't give her agency. The actress is good but they built no background for establishing this character. A few short minutes establishing the character with her father as a child and this would have been an incredibly improved film. I also like the actor for Blue Beetle, even if I disliked this film. I like him in Cobra Kai as well. But this is going to be a hot take, he's too cocky as Jaime for this to be the first outing with the Scarab. He did not fit the comics I've read - and I've followed this character since the debut. I think he would have been a better fit as Rafael Sandoval (El Diablo).
The villains are caricatures. Their actions without consequence tearing up a city are hysterically ill-plotted. The plot itself is nonsensical, and looking at the rich but recent comic history to pull from this is just a mess. I wish I could say I was surprised it was butchered so badly, but recent comic book movies have been awful across the board. I would rate lower, but I love this character so much and I do like the actors. I did like hearing the scarab speak and think the CGI is good. Here's hoping DC get's it's soul back in future cinematic endeavors.
El Internado: Las Cumbres (2021)
Not as appealing as the original
I've watched the original El Internado Laguna Negra. This reboot has a good premise and promise. The issues I take with this iteration are mainly the Ines character and her storyline. This character and the plot around her drag this show down considerably. The character has an excessively blank personality even for an amnesiac. I remember the original El Internado fondly, the group in that show were all fun to watch. Only a couple of the kids are interesting in this show. I will definitely watch a second season and hope the sophomore year improves in plotting as well as the acting and characterization of Ines.