Blue Beetle - The scoop and digest

Before Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom wraps DCEU up, Ángel Manuel Soto directs penultimate entry.

Xolo Maridueña - Jaime Reyes/Blue Beetle

George Lopez - Uncle Rudy

Adriana Barraza - Nana

Damián Alcázar - Alberto Reyes

Elpidia Carrillo - Rocio Reyes

Susan Sarandon - Victoria Kord

Raoul Max Trujillo - Carapax

Bruna Marquezine - Jennifer Kord

Becky G - Khaji-Da

Summary

In Antarctica, Kord Industries co-founder and CEO Victoria Kord finds an alien artefact known as the Scarab.

Palmera City.

Fresh from graduating, law student Jaime Reyes is told his family are facing eviction for falling behind on their rent.

After Jaime meets Jennifer (Victoria's niece), she tells him to meet her at Kord Tower to discuss a 'job opportunity'.

The following day, Jennifer learns Victoria is using the Scarab for shady One Man Army Corps projects.

Jennifer steals object and gives it to Jaime for safe-keeping, warning him to leave well alone.

Does he listen? Of course not.

The Scarab suddenly activates on touch and attaches itself to Jaime's spine, creating an armoured suit which starts talking inside his head.

Without the Scarab, Victoria can't complete the O.M.A.C, so she sends her bodyguard Carapax to claim it back.

Mid-credits

At Ted Kord's laboratory, the computer turns on and a distorted recording of his voice attempts to inform Jennifer that her father is still alive.

Will this go anywhere?

Highly unlikely.

Post-credits

An animated version of El Chapulín Colarado (The Red Grasshopper) plays.

Not that we knew at the time, but callback to classic 70's Mexican TV series is set up by Rudy's makeshift device called the 'Chapulín'.

World destroying weapon

Going in with low expectations, I actually had a pretty good time.

Family driven yarn is full of heart and boasts decent action.

Maridueña's portrayal as the third Blue Beetle initially annoys, but grows on you.

Similarities to Venom and Iron Man are abundantly clear and inevitable CG heavy battle between Reyes and Carapax was meh.

When suit is deactivated, Jaime becomes naked, giving off a weird nod to An American Werewolf in London.

Design was inspired by Batman: The Brave and the Bold, Injustice 2 and Infinite Crisis series, but looks more like the Guyver manga.

James Gunn and Peter Safran have already confirmed that Maridueña will be part of the DCU, and on this evidence - that's no bad thing.