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A film adaptation of one of DC’s many comics is a never-before-seen superhero action movie for 2023. Produced by DC Studios and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, “Blue Beetle” features the first representation of Mexican Americans in the big screen arena of superheroes.

Angel Manuel Soto’s “Blue Beetle” may not have been the biggest hit in the box office compared to films like “The Barbie Movie” and “Oppenheimer.” However, the producers reached their intended demographic. 

The film successfully incorporated Latin classics in their soundtrack. Iconic artists and bands like Luis Miguel, Selena Quintanilla and Mexican group Los Tucanes De Tijuana did justice to Latinos who grew up listening to that genre of music.

The film is rated at PG-13 and based off DC Comics, staying true to its heroic principles from the original comics. 

Spoilers to the movie ahead. Reader discretion is advised.

The film begins with Jaime Reyes, played by rising star Xolo Maridueña, who just got back from college to find that his family is in financial hardship and his father is facing a medical struggle. Jaime and his sister, Milagro Reyes (played by Belissa Escobedo) navigate the Mexican American experience whilst attempting to find their place in the world. 

KORD Industries is an evil corporation that is determined to use the powers of Blue Beetle Technology for reasons that may not be in the best interest of society. 

By chance and not by choice, Jaime is given the “Blue Beetle scarab alien technology,” which he takes home. Little does Jaime know that alien technology chose him as a vessel for its powers, which gives much more significance to who Jaime is. 

The film goes about portraying Jaime’s struggle with his superhero identity to do good for the world and at the same time cater to the responsibility he has with for family. The story follows not only Jamie as a protagonist, but the heartwarming story of his family as well. 

“Blue Beetle” has many themes such as perseverance and unity, providing a representation of these values specifically in Mexican American culture. 

“We’re invisible to people like that, Jaime. It’s like our superpower.” Milagro says as she explains to Jaime why Latinos and Mexican Americans go through the struggle of assimilating in the United States, especially coming from immigrant families. Milagro says that people like her and Jaime are “invisible” to others who may have an advantage or privilege of going about life without he struggles of immigrants and children of immigrants. 

Author and English professor Phil Christman wrote in his blog, The Tourist, of a scene where the Reyes family is vulnerable and threated by KORD Industries CEO Victoria Kord and her military-like force. 

“The scene is explicitly paralleled with the fears of La Migra, to whom Uncle Rudy specifically alludes a few minutes earlier, lest we miss the message,” Christman said. 

By the screenwriters alluding to this real-life struggle of many immigrants in the US, viewers are given a sense of comfort and visibility in spaces where it was not seen before. 

In the scarab alien technology choosing Jaime as a vessel, identifying viewers are hit with the theme that Jaime was chosen because of his good heart and perseverance despite life’s unfair struggles. 

The film does an amazing job showing Jaime’s character development as he realizes that his superpowers have more to do with his identity and the potential he has as an individual as opposed to the superpowers themselves.

As “Blue Beetle” showings increase, the producers are informing and entertaining audiences in diverse topics in ways never seen before.

Representation and diversity are not something that only DC Studios values. Other corporations, such as Disney, do as well. 

In 2020, the streaming service Disney+ implemented a viewer discretion for older Disney classic films which in some instances negatively portray some cultures and ethnicities. 

The viewer discretion is a 10 second required screen that states, “This program includes negative depictions and/or mistreatment of people or cultures. These stereotypes were wrong then and are wrong now. Rather than remove this content, we want to acknowledge its harmful impact, learn from it and spark conversation to create a more inclusive future together. Disney is committed to creating stories with inspirational and aspirational themes that reflect the rich diversity of the human experience around the globe.” 

So, where did this come from? Why did Disney just begin doing this in 2020? And what are people’s responses to this? 

It began when the public started becoming socially aware of cultural issues. Many believe the “classic” films from the 50s to the 90s were problematic and insensitive to diverse cultures. 

Sparking an online controversy, Disney was forced to address this issue that their audience truly cared about. It generated a conversation amongst audience members about how media and entertainment industries can go about telling stories ethically and responsibly. 

The “Stories Matter” page on the Disney website includes descriptions of certain scenes in older Disney films. Disney takes accountability for the negative depictions and serotypes of certain cultures that were portrayed in these films, explaining to viewers the harm in these productions. 

As part of Disney’s “Stories Matter” campaign, viewers are being informed as to how Disney is going to move forward after learning from past experiences. 

Large and successful corporations such as Disney and DC studios have the responsibly of being inclusive and ethical towards indigenous, foreign and diverse cultures. 

It is vital that cultural representation in films and media is portrayed in an accurate and fair way where all audiences may enjoy their cultures being seen and heard on the big screen.