The Stellar Speedster: Unveiling the Ultimate Flash Review!
The Flash sprints into action, balancing its flaws with an exhilarating superhero storyline With an entertaining blend of excitement and charm, it delivers an enjoyable dose of high-speed superhero entertainment
Plenty has been said about The Flash in anticipation of its highly anticipated release. Warner Bros. has been diligent in screening the film for both critics and fans, leading to an influx of early reactions and leaks circulating online. Amidst all the speculation regarding its place in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU), one crucial aspect seems to be overlooked: the actual quality of the movie itself.
In order to truly evaluate whether The Flash lives up to the hype, surpassing even the esteemed status of previous DC films like The Dark Knight, it's important to assess it on its own merits. Rather than viewing it solely as a grandiose cinematic universe crossover, The Flash should be evaluated as a standalone superhero movie. In this regard, it falls just slightly short of being exceptional, relying on the inclusion of a beloved Batman character from an alternate universe to elevate its appeal.
The public behavior of its star Ezra Miller further complicates the release of the movie. However, instead of intertwining the fictional world of superheroes with reality, it is more sensible to solely focus on Miller's performance in the central role (or roles, as the case may be). Looking through this perspective, it becomes apparent that Miller effectively portrays a talkative yet socially awkward superhero who is still striving to measure up to the prominent members of the Justice League. This is reminiscent of Tom Holland's early appearances as Spider-Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Although the approach doesn't always hit the mark, Miller's portrayal of a younger and even more frenzied version of himself can be more irksome than endearing.
In The Flash, the storyline and script have undergone multiple revisions, resulting in a somewhat disjointed plot, especially in the third act. Drawing inspiration from DC Comics' renowned Flashpoint storyline, the film follows Barry Allen as he learns to manipulate time and employs this newfound ability to save his murdered mother and his wrongly convicted father. However, during his time-traveling expedition, Barry comes face-to-face with his younger self and realizes the catastrophic consequences of his actions when he must protect the world from the return of General Zod.
One of the standout features of The Flash, even from its early stages, is the return of Michael Keaton reprising his iconic role as Batman. In this film, Keaton's Bruce Wayne has retired from his superhero duties but is compelled to rejoin the fight by the Barrys. Keaton's portrayal is a highlight, embodying his most famous character as if he had never left. While he still looks impressive in the Batsuit, the actor also brings a sense of wisdom and mentorship to the elder hero, adding depth to his role. It's easy to imagine that if Keaton's involvement had been kept a secret, similar to the surprise appearances of two returning Spider-Men, his entrance would have had an even greater impact. Nevertheless, Keaton's Wayne is a welcomed addition, supporting Barry's journey and evoking a wave of nostalgia.
Sasha Calle's Supergirl also joins the battle, although her character development falls short of the film's marketing promises. While she plays a significant role in the film's final act, her character arc feels rushed. The filmmakers attempt to juxtapose Supergirl with Superman by portraying her reluctance to save humanity, but this shift in the story feels more like an inevitable plot twist rather than a meaningful transformation.
The Flash's script encounters a major issue in that it truly excels only when it maintains the same rapid pace as its titular superhero. The cleverness and humorous moments scattered throughout the film are mostly successful, particularly when Miller showcases their talent for physical comedy (including a hilarious jab at the Flash's exaggerated running style). However, when the movie slows down, it loses some of its sincerity. Despite Kiersey Clemons' return as Barry's love interest Iris West, her role in the plot is so minimal that she could have been completely removed. Furthermore, the final act of the film suffers from an excess of CGI chaos and an almost nonsensical concluding confrontation that lacks significant impact.
The CGI in this movie may be its greatest weakness. The opening sequence involves a daring hospital rescue where falling babies are intercut with a thrilling chase featuring Ben Affleck's Batman racing through Gotham City. However, the CGI used to depict the babies pushes the boundaries of the uncanny valley and becomes difficult to look at. This issue arises multiple times throughout the movie, with faces and bodies rendered in a way that resembles lifeless CGI from the past. Considering the significant studio support behind the film, it is disappointing that more attention wasn't given to the effects. That being said, not everything looks bad, as Barry's speed is portrayed more convincingly than in Justice League. Nevertheless, when the visuals fall short, they are quite noticeable.
The Flash has been highly anticipated for a long time, and despite the controversies and obstacles the movie has faced, it is not a complete failure. However, it falls short of being a major success as well. There are still glaring issues with the story and the visuals. Nonetheless, The Flash is on par, if not better, than the majority of superhero projects released in theaters in the past year. While it may not reach the level of The Dark Knight in the DC universe, it is certainly far from the disappointment of Batman & Robin.
The Flash is now in theaters.
