The Flash Unleashed: Unveiling Barry Allen's Hilarious Side
The Flash: Unleashing Barry Allen's Humor in the DC Universe, a dynamic blend of action and comedy, creating an electrifying superhero experience like never before
Establishing a superhero cinematic universe relies heavily on effectively portraying the distinct personalities of each main character. If every hero feels identical and lacks enjoyable chemistry, the universe will lack the necessary cohesive team. While there are debates among fans regarding the portrayal of Superman or Batman in the late DCEU, it is The Flash's mistreatment that stands out.
However, it is important to acknowledge The Flash's positive aspects. Unlike its franchise counterparts, it does not exhibit bitterness, unpleasantness, or a confrontationally grim tone. The Flash presents itself on the screen with a more appealing color scheme and incorporates several slapstick gags. While it deserves recognition for taking a different approach, it still falls short of truly capturing the essence of the character.
The Flash is the Justice League’s Comic Relief
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Each member of the Justice League plays a unique role, showcasing their abilities and personalities. Batman, known for his seriousness, is a skilled strategist who devises complex plans and is willing to make sacrifices. Superman, on the other hand, is a humble leader who seeks peace and is willing to put himself in danger to solve problems. Among the main cast, the Flash brings a comedic touch to the team. While characters like Plastic Man and Green Arrow also crack jokes, Barry Allen stands out as the go-to source of one-liners. Similar to Spider-Man's role in the Avengers, the Flash's powers are impressive, but it is his wit and humor that often become his greatest weapon. The comics and previous adaptations have showcased some of the Flash's best moments based on his comedic antics.
A beloved version of the Flash is seen in the early 2000s Justice League animated series and its sequel, Justice League Unlimited. Although this iteration of the character is technically Wally West, while in the DCEU it is Barry Allen, his role in the team remains consistent. In both animated series, the Flash serves as the heart of the Justice League. He is the most relatable hero, constantly using humor even in the face of impossible dangers, often frustrating his adversaries. His comedic wit serves multiple purposes: bringing joy to those around him, providing humor throughout the series, and underestimating him by both villains and the audience. This leads to some of the most exciting action scenes, where he defies expectations and showcases his true power. Unfortunately, the DCEU's version of the Flash fails to capture these traits.
The DCEU Flash isn’t Funny
The Flash offers a mix of humor, some intentional and others not so much. However, the character's comedic attempts fall short, especially when Ezra Miller portrays two different versions of Barry Allen. There is a particularly irritating scene between the two Barrys, with the older version reprimanding the younger one for his constant unfunny jokes and pop-culture references. As the film portrays Barry Prime as a dull and annoying character, this moment works surprisingly well. It's in line with the DCEU's tendency to produce mediocre work and mock itself.
The Flash's attempts at comedy include awkwardly rearranging words, accidentally revealing his lack of experience in certain areas, and creating catchphrases that lack substance. Unfortunately, these jokes drag on for too long. The only successful comedic moments come in the form of slapstick humor, such as when Young Barry mistakenly causes a collision between a truck full of musical instruments and a truck full of fireworks. He doesn't engage in witty banter with foes or use humor to outsmart dangerous situations. Because his jokes are either unfunny or absent, he fails to subvert expectations and seize opportunities to be a hero. It's a missed chance for the character to shine.
How could the DCU Improve The Flash?
Considering Ezra Miller's legal issues, recasting the character appears probable. The character itself is neither the issue nor an asset. The problem lies in The Flash's constant use of jokes at the main character's expense. Intentional humor is rarely achieved, as the film consistently ridicules Barry Allen in and out of his superhero attire without offering him the chance to join in the laughter. To enhance The Flash's comedic elements, a simple solution would be to change the dynamics of the punchlines. Allow Barry to both throw and receive punches. It appears that the film has a dislike for the character, which is evident even in its concluding message. In future adaptations of The Flash, the character should be allowed to embrace his humorous side because that is who he truly is.
The portrayal of Barry Allen in The Flash differs significantly from Zack Snyder's treatment of his superheroes. The film does not morph him into a brooding deity or a paranoid authoritarian. However, it appears to only find amusement in the character when he fails to deliver jokes. If future versions of Barry Allen are willing to let him embody the man he is meant to be, he could serve as the core of a fresh Justice League narrative.
