James Gunn and Peter Saffran have pledged to create the new DC universe with their minds at the forefront. Of course, DC fans lost their minds. Of course, as a Marvel fan, I was skeptical but also excited. However, after the failures of “Shazam 2: Fury of the Gods” and “The Flash” DC fans were worried about “Blue Beetle”’s quality, especially as it is the first film of the new DCU. After the movie has been released, fans are left to wonder. Is the DCU dead, or already going strong?

     Blue Beetle is the first film of the DCU, and an important movie at that. The movie follows the story of Jaime Reyes (Xolo Maridueña) as he struggles to adjust to a new superhero lifestyle, after the Scarab, an ancient bug-shaped power, turns Jaime into the Blue Beetle. Jaime however, has to fight against the evil Kord Industries, as they fight to get the Scarab back. However, Jaime is helped by his family, and Jenny Kord (Bruna Marquezine) an heir to the Kord Empire, as he fights back against the company.

     Blue Beetle is a very decisive movie in the DC universe, and the film world in general. Some fans think it is one of the best DC movies ever made, others think it’s another failure for DC. To me, Blue Beetle seems like a very generic film. It has its ups and downs, but mostly, it’s filled with predictable cliches. However, the quality of the film is always comparable with its Box Office numbers, and Blue Beetle isn’t the hit that DC needs. Grossing 100 million so far against a 110 million budget, it doesn’t look like it can save DC from the flops of their most recent films.

     Is the DCU dead in the water? That’s a question that’s incredibly hard to answer. Noticeably, it doesn’t seem like it’s off to a great start. This can be remedied, however. With films like “Superman Legacy” already in the works at DC, it seems the new Universe can truly succeed.