Illustration by Nuestro Stories
No matter what final outcome Blue Beetle has this weekend at its encore box office, the history-making film featuring DC Comics’ first Latino superhero (Xolo Maridueña) has already won the hearts and minds of many Hispanic fans.
The Internet is ablaze with fun and endearing reactions from Latino fans who enjoyed some of the film’s many cultural Easter Eggs.
Related post: Latinos Urge You To Watch The Film ‘Blue Beetle’
{SPOILER ALERT} Here’s a batch of some of the Easter Eggs winning the most attention:
1. Look! It ‘s El Chapulín Colorado!
El hecho de que María la del Barrio y el Chapulín Colorado son canon en el universo de DC. Amé la película de #BlueBeetle, predecible pero divertida. pic.twitter.com/agCDiytedv
— Giancarlo con G (@VoidGian) August 18, 2023
To the delight of El Chapulín Colorado fans, the retro superhero makes a cameo appearance. Although it was seen and used in the promotional media for the movie, it still made for a wonderful nostalgic moment for all of those who grew up with this quirky Latino crimefighter.
While Blue Beetle and his team seek a distraction to access Kord Tower, Jaime’s beloved and tech-savvy uncle Rudy, played by George Lopez, even employs a device called “El Chapulín” to manipulate security cameras to broadcast a signal that shows a cartoon of the character.
After the credits, moviegoers get a chance to see the complete Chapulin Colorado’s sequence from the security scene.
Chapulin ‘s intro for his TV show – “Más ágil que una tortuga, más fuerte que un ratón, más noble que una lechuga, su escudo es un corazón… ¡Es El
Chapulín Colorado!” – is even played. As known by millions of Latino families as it’s counterpart ‘s, Superman’s, intro: “It’s a bird. It’s a plane. It’s Superman.”
Related post: 5 Latino Superheroes Leading Up To Blue Beetle
2. Latino TV Shows and Movies References Galore
Further paying homage to iconic television and film moments, the movie includes nods to 1960’s Roberto Gavladon’s film “Macario”, 1992 Guillermo del Toro’s “Cronos”, the telenovela “María la del Barrio”, and even the longest running game and variety show (as certified by Guinness World Records) “Sábado Gigante”, because no tribute would be complete without Don Francisco and El Chacal.
3. Music to our Ears from Calle 13, Luis Miguel, and more!
Director Ángel Manuel Soto explains his eclectic musical choices in #BlueBeetle to De Los' @fidmart85, saying “Latino music” has “everything” from #punk to 80s synthwave to #reggaeton, “So why not celebrate it?” https://t.co/vAy4eHDJeJ pic.twitter.com/6BnxRMDoDs
— Los Angeles Times (@latimes) August 18, 2023
Blue Beattle features a captivating sci-fi soundtrack skillfully composed by Bobby Krlic. It also includes a wide variety of timeless classic songs from artists like Selena, Vicente Fernandez, Los Tucanes De Tijuana, Celso Pina, Ivy Queen, Los Panchos, Soda Estereo, Thalia, and Alberto Cortez.
4. Becky G as the Blue Beetle’s voice!
Angel Manuel Soto afirma que siempre quizo trabajar con Becky G por ser una persona con gran talento.
Encontrando la manera de incluirla en #BlueBeetle, pensamos que tenia el descaro y la energia que podria emular al escarabajo. ¿ Y si Siri tuviera la personalidad de Becky G? pic.twitter.com/rVmqwUldTS
— DC Friki + (@KevinAnticonaa) August 16, 2023
The character of Khaji-Da, the alien who commands The Scarab, comes to life through the vibrant voice of Latina singer Becky G. She made the news official in June, when the singer and actress herself went to social media sharing the honor of being part of the Blue Beetle family and she’s an excellent choice.
5. Latino Household Flair Everywhere
@blurayangel11 The tortilla warmer cameo in Blue Beetle felt like home #bluebeetle #dccomics #blurayangel #movies #movie
The Reyes family are proud Mexican Americans, and their home reflects their heritage in a colorful, aromatic style that spotlights many household favorites from tortilla warmers to Takis.
6. Wait, is that Comedian Felipe Esparza?
Just finished seeing @bluebeetle #BlueBeetle Awesome seen raza like that on the big screen! ✊🏿 Especially when you see your favorite comedian do a Cameo @funnyfelipe 🤘🏿😜🤘🏿 pic.twitter.com/wheogqBtmh
— Nazareth.O.S.I.D (@DJNazareth) August 19, 2023
Felipe Esparza makes a funny, lightning-quick cameo as one of the security officers looking at a surveillance screen while being jammed by Uncle Rudy’s “Chapulin” device. Ezparza is acclaimed for his viral stand-up clips, which includes his hilarious interpretation of “Star Wars” character R2-D2, aka known as “Arturito,” who interprets as if the droid was Mexican at heart.
7. Nana’s Secret Revolutionary Past?
I am not seeing nearly enough posts for Nana. She was iconic. The MVP of the movie. #BlueBeetle #BlueBeetleMovie pic.twitter.com/GvLCglEBXa
— Brooks | 🏳️🌈 (@brookstweetz) August 20, 2023
Nana, portrayed by Oscar-nominee Adriana Barraza, takes on the pivotal role of the matriarch within the Reyes family. Although initially appearing as a gentle abuelita, it swiftly becomes apparent that she has a revolutionary past, demonstrating unflinching resolve in adeptly wielding high-tech equipment. With a triumphant cackle, in one scene she boldly unleashes a barrage of gunfire upon a group of soldiers.
Her character not only positions Nana as an unexpected standout of “Blue Beetle” but, as Entertainment Weekly noted, also pays homage “to historical figures like Blanca Canales of Puerto Rico and the women soldiers who worked with the Zapatista Liberation Army in Mexico.”
8. Vapuru to the rescue!
Despite recent lackluster DC movies, Blue Beetle truly won me over with its message of family, love, and the universal immigrant use of Vicks VapoRub 🤣
The villain moments were campy, but overall, it was such an enjoyable watch! #BlueBeetle #BlueBeetleMovie pic.twitter.com/ogA1tksTu7
— Beneeta Kaur (@beneeta_k) August 18, 2023
As Jaime Reyes lies unconscious from his unprecedented flight around the city, Nana comes to the rescue armed with, WHAT ELSE?!, a jar of Vicks Vapuru.
9. We spy La Isla del Encanto
Para @angelmanuelsoto, director de la nueva película #BlueBeetle, rodar en #PuertoRico siempre fue parte del plan.
Desde el Morro hasta el Choliseo, y desde Santurce hasta el Puente Teodoro Moscoso, Puerto Rico forma parte esencial del nuevo blockbuster de superhéroes. 🇵🇷 pic.twitter.com/rlkZeuozf0
— Fico Cangiano (@FicoCangiano) August 18, 2023
A big chunk of Blue Beetle’s final showdown was shot at El Castillo San Felipe del Morro in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Director Ángel Manuel Soto said: “The action sequences we shot were very special to me… Along with El Paso and Miami, it felt very humbling to be able to see the island where I was raised as an inspiration for this fictional new city within the DC universe.”
Last week, Xolo summoned his “Cobra Kai” powers to drop kick billion-dollar “Barbie.” This week Mr. Blue Beetle himself faces off against newcomer “Gran Turismo”. Now that a huge swatch of California is not threatened by a hurricane, perhaps that will be enough for legions of more fans to catapult “Blue Beetle” back to the top, allowing this new cultural treasure to continue to surprise and delight us.
If you haven’t watched the film yet…”Síganme los buenos!” (“Follow the Good ones!”) as Chespirito would say.
