The Flash movie review

The Flash feels like the first DC film in a long time — like Superman II long — that finds the ideal balance of action, engaging plot, likable characters whose default personality isn’t shades of brooding with equal parts pathos and fun. In other words, The Flash plays out like a really good Marvel Cinematic Universe film.

That’s great news for DC fans who’ve watched MCU characters unpack a gamut of emotions while tackling epic adventures and waited not so impatiently for their signature “this is how great a film fully integrating the vastness of the DC Universe could be” example.

Zack Snyder delivered the best Zack Snyder-style DC films possible — that’s not a knock as his films were very entertaining in their pocket shared universe — but the DC Universe needed a less gloomy overall approach. The Flash represents stylistically how the future of DC Films could look with humor, exciting action and heart gripping performances. And a little fan service doesn’t hurt either.

The film is loosely based on the landmark, semi-controversial Flashpoint comic series. Written by longtime The Flash writer Geoff Johns, Flashpoint marked the comic brand’s latest attempt at a do-over to make the DC Comics landscape more accessible to new readers.

This is a similar position to the DC Films universe as Warner Bros. is pivoting from the Snyder Verse era into one led by James Gunn and Peter Safran — one with a fresh, new direction and new actors in key roles like Superman and Batman.

If nothing else, The Flash should ensure that Director Andy Muschietti and screenwriter Christina Hodson, remain as core contributors to this next iteration of DC films. They “get” what makes a superhero feel joyous, outrageous, emotional and a fantastic spectacle.

It’s been a few years since the events of Justice League — pick your version — and Barry Allen aka The Flash (Ezra Miller) has settled in nicely in his role with the team who are disappointingly largely kept off camera. The Flash quickly treads into fun cameos and spoiler territory so this review will stick to only the ones Warner Bros. has revealed via trailers.

After an exhilarating and surprisingly funny rescue mission, Flash debriefs with teammate Bruce Wayne/Batman (Ben Affleck, Air), who can relate to not having his parents around. Barry’s father (Ron Livingston replacing Billy Crudup) has another hearing that will hopefully absolve him of the horrific and untrue crime of killing his wife, Nora (a fantastic Maribel Verdú).

Inspired by a conversation with reporter Iris West (Kiersey Clemons, Somebody I Used to Know), considers the possibility of going back in the past and preventing his mother’s death. As fans of The Flash TV series know, Iris is a major part of Flash’s life but this story can’t devote much time to that relationship since it hadn’t advanced since their chance encounter in Justice League.

Bruce questions the hidden repercussions of screwing around with time especially with how it could impact Barry and potentially the rest of the world from that minor change. The butterfly effect of Barry’s actions is significant if for nothing else than The Flash was the literal spark that resurrected Superman.

Considering a workaround that saves his mother while adhering to Batman’s suggestion, Barry attempts a minor switch that still leads to huge ramifications. While his mother is alive and his father isn’t imprisoned, Barry finds he’s in another reality with another Barry Allen already in place. This Barry is more of a slacker thanks in part to his mother unintentionally enabling/coddling him.

Hodson seems fairly well-versed in comic books actually incorporating some clever Easter Eggs for Flash fans including giving slacker Barry personality traits of the patience-deprived comic character Impulse.

Miller has always been a fantastic performer and the excellent work in portraying two very distinct personalities of the same character shows why Warner Bros. didn’t scrap the project while Miller was making potentially career-damaging headlines. There are some other significant characters running around, but The Flash is firmly Miller’s movie. Either role would have warranted praise, but Miller’s dual performances here is truly exceptional.

Barry soon realizes what he’s set in motion as Gen. Zod (Michael Shannon) and his fellow Phantom Zone prisoners arrive on Earth looking for their fellow Kryptonian. The Flash isn’t newbie-friendly so at minimum, viewers should watch Man of Steel, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice: Ultimate Edition and Zack Snyder’s Justice League to fully appreciate the departures from Barry’s timeline.

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Quickly assessing the repercussions of his actions, Barry (and Barry) seek out the only man he can count on — Batman. This world’s Batman is a little different and a lot older. There was a tangible excitement when Michael Keaton stepped on screen and even more so when he suited up in his iconic Batman costume. Keaton seems to be having a blast reconnecting with the character that made him a hero to millions of children in the 80s and 90s.

With Zod searching for a Kryptonian, Barry deduces they can find Superman only to find Kara (Sasha Calle) in his place. Kara isn’t as cheery as her cousin — with good reason — but knows Zod is too major a threat to leave unchecked. Calle doesn’t have as much screen time as some of her co-stars but makes a powerful impression.

One major ally is annoyingly absent. In the Flashpoint comic, Cyborg plays a major role as one of the key heroes still fighting the good fight.

Cyborg actor Ray Fisher has been on the outs with Warner Bros. since leading the charge to fire Joss Whedon and his enablers following Whedon completing Justice League when Snyder stepped aside. It’s unfortunate that Cyborg is absent from an ideal spotlight as Fisher and Miller had an enjoyable chemistry in Justice League.

Muschietti previously showed his action prowess with the big climactic fights in It and It: Chapter Two so it wasn’t a surprise that he excelled at the big spectacle battles necessary for The Flash. Flash’s speed is presented in a manner to see how Barry processes his movements without feeling like a slow-motion slog.

Some of the special effects are loose specifically the opening act sequence with CGI stand-ins that do not look remotely credible.

The big final act is a solid action showpiece. It’s not quite the Justice League teaming up to beat down Steppenwolf, but it’s a strong bit of superheroes in action against impossible odds.

There are also some cool developments right down to the film’s final scene that makes for a fine farewell to the Snyder Verse-era characters as the DCU prepares to reload with Gunn & Safran. Don’t wait around for the post-credit scene. Just wait until the film hits Max for a cute scene but not one worth the added bathroom and parking lot lines to see it.

Rating: 9 out of 10

Photo Credit: Warner Bros.