Worlds collide when the Flash uses his superpowers to travel back in time to change the events of the past. However, when his attempt to save his family inadvertently alters the future, he becomes trapped in a reality in which General Zod has returned, threatening annihilation. With no other superheroes to turn to, the Flash looks to coax a very different Batman out of retirement and rescue an imprisoned Kryptonian — albeit not the one he’s looking for.
Release date: June 16, 2023 (USA)
Director: Andrés Muschietti
Casting director: Rich Delia
Cinematography: Henry Braham
Costume design: Alexandra Byrne
Distributed by: Warner Bros. Pictures
Honest Review
It has been a lengthy journey, filled with numerous obstacles and considerable controversy, but The Flash finally makes its way to cinemas this week, and Warner Bros./DC Studios will be hoping they’ve taken sufficient measures to counterbalance the negative publicity caused by star Ezra Miller’s recent encounters with the law.
As the movie’s promotion gained momentum over the past few weeks, it became evident that the studio was employing every possible tactic to generate excitement for the Scarlet Speedster’s inaugural solo adventure as an unmissable spectacle. Notable figures expressed their admiration for the film on social media (Tom Cruise was so impressed that he personally praised director Andy Muschietti), and DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn hailed it as one of the “greatest superhero movies of all time.”
However, the issue with such audacious claims is that eventually, people will watch the movie, and if it fails to meet the lofty expectations set, the word will spread. The Flash Review
To be fair, it’s challenging to fault those involved in bringing this project to fruition for their attempts to divert attention from Miller’s (allegedly) shocking behavior. Nonetheless, their efforts may inadvertently undermine the film because The Flash possesses enough quality to stand on its own merits without being exaggerated into something it’s not.
The narrative revolves around Barry Allen’s endeavor to prevent his mother’s death and father’s imprisonment by utilizing his super-speed to travel back in time (despite the advice of Bruce Wayne, played by Ben Affleck). He succeeds but inadvertently creates an alternate reality in which the Justice League does not exist, and unfortunately, this occurs at a most inopportune moment as General Zod (portrayed by Michael Shannon) prepares to attack Earth.
Barry teams up with a younger – and significantly more vexing – version of himself, and assembles an impromptu team that includes the retired Dark Knight portrayed by Michael Keaton and Superman’s cousin Kara (played by Sasha Calle), in order to thwart Zod’s impending invasion. The Flash Review
The Flash races into theaters this week amid some very high expectations and a total sh*tstorm caused by its star’s behaviour. Was the hype justified? Have a read of our review and find out..
It’s a relatively simple premise (a lot less complex than the Flashpoint comic arc it takes influence from), and, to the movie’s credit, it doesn’t get bogged down in the Multiversal madness to any great extent. Christina Hodson’s script wisely chooses to focus on Allen’s heartbreaking plight, and the film really comes alive in the more emotional moments Barry shares with his mother. It’s also very funny… at times.
As is so often the case with these movies, an overabundance of humor means that some gags inevitably miss the mark, but, for the most part, it’s a pretty successful balance, and the dramatic scenes are at least given time to register before the next quip.The Flash Review
Unfortunately, things begin to fall apart a bit in a rushed third act, and way too much is crammed in to the last 30 minutes or so. The final action set piece is reasonably well-orchestrated in a vacuum, but isn’t given nearly enough set-up, and the FX are pretty shoddy – especially in one particular sequence which features characters who all look like they’ve stepped out of a PS3 cut-scene (no spoilers, but if you’ve been keeping an eye on the leaks, you’ll know which one).
Moving on to the volatile elephant in the room. We’re not going to dwell on the Miller situation too much, because there isn’t really any point. You’re either someone who is able to separate the art from the artist or you’re not, and if you’re not, an actor’s performance is never going to be good enough to make you forget what they’ve been accused of. With that being said, Miller does a fine job here in a dual role, delivering two very different takes of the title hero.The Flash Review
Younger Barry is obnoxious and annoying (yes, he is supposed to be… but that doesn’t stop you wanting to throw him through a window) at first, but he does become more endearing as the movie progresses. As “Barry Prime,” Miller gives easily their best turn as the character yet. A lot of Flash fans feel Miller was always a miscast, and while that’s obviously debatable, it’s difficult to fault their work as this interpretation of the Fastest Man Alive.
Keaton’s return as Batman is the real draw for many, of course, and he does not disappoint. Some of his dialogue feels a little shoehorned in for fan-service’s sake (did we really need the “let’s get nuts” line?), but Keaton overcomes it to prove why he is still (arguably) the most popular big-screen Batman of all time.
Sasha Calle is also a standout, but her screen-time is criminally short, and it feels like some of her scenes were left out of the final cut (she doesn’t have a single interaction with Batman, for example). Hopefully, Calle will be given the opportunity to reprise the role for the planned DCU Supergirl movie.The Flash Review
One of the greatest superhero movies ever made? The Flash isn’t even the best superhero movie released this month, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth your time. A few missteps and some dreadful CGI aside, the Scarlet Speedster’s solo adventure is a highly enjoyable experience, and easily one of the best shared universe DC movies since the first Wonder Woman.
Rating
