The Flash is DC’s latest attempt at making a decent superhero movie. Directed by Andy Muschietti, who directed part one and two of Stephen King’s IT, The Flash finally nails it.
Here’s my 30 seconds first thoughts was I am leaving the cinema:
It’s a contentious film, to say the least. Lead actor Ezra Miller has been in the headlines over the past few years for all the wrong reasons. Assault, kidnapping, theft, there are some of the things he’s been accused of. But unlike other actors who seem face repercussions of their actions, like Johnathan Majors (accused, not yet guilty), Ezra seems to have gotten away with it. At least his publicist is using the ‘mental health issues’ as an reason to do quite a few horrific things.
Moving on from that though, the film is superb. It’s absolutely hysterical while managing to maintain some real heart breaking moments. Something Marvel can learn from. Borrowing quite a bit from the Flashpoint storyline, it manages to revisit story elements we’ve seen before, mainly from Man of Steel. Only, it doesn’t have the Man of Steel in it! Instead it has Sasha Calle as Kara Zor-El, or Supergirl. And she’s brilliant, for the 5 minutes she’s given.
Storyline
The Flash is a well-thought out movie. It starts with the established DCU; Batfleck, Wonder Gadot and Jeremy Irons as Alfred. This sets us up for the changes that will come. Of course, the most notable addition to this movie is Michael Keaton’s Batman. And holy hell. I think the adults in the audience appreciated that way more than the under 20s. Some nice easter eggs for us oldies! I was pointing at the screen while internally screaming (have to look cool in front of the younglings, of course) and it was glorious. My mate Hammer is going to soil himself when he hears lines from Tim Burton’s original Batman. Time to get freaky!
If you’ve seen any trailers, you’ll know that this movie is all about timeywimy shenanigans. Barry goes back in time to save his mother, and of course screws the pooch. In his universe there are no superheroes to save earth from General Zod. Well. We’re told that but of course that isn’t true. This is one of the inconsistent parts about the movie. We’re led to believe this is all Barry’s fault. But one of the main plot points has bugger all to do with him. But still, not a deal breaker when we have Michael Shannon back! Damn he’s awesome. For the 1 or two lines he actually has.
I think the main thing I really enjoyed in the movie was the interactions of the Barrys (Barries?)
Run Barry, run!
Hell, the meeting of the Barrys was hysterical. I won’t spoil anything, but will say that watching the origin story of a new speedster from the point of view of our established speedster is very well done. It’s funny, charming, and well written. The biggest issue I had was with the CGI of the 2nd Barry. Why they superimposed his face onto another person instead of just using the old ‘film it again with the same actor reacting to himself’ is beyond me. Took a while to turn off that uncanny valley.
They did a smart with with having two Barrys. We know him to be a bit of an obnoxious twat. At least he is in the other movies. But in this film he’s forced to see what he’s like, and take on a role of mentor to himself. This makes him grow considerably faster (ha!) than a normal plot would allow. And he actually becomes a cool character. Totally OPd, but cool.
The Flash is the best DC movie in the past few years. It nails the tone, sets up some exciting futures and its lead is brilliant. It’s just a pity the real person is a trainwreck. Let’s hope he sorts his shit out. Also, for the love of god, why did they use such poor cgi?
Just to note, there is a post credits scene alll the way at the end. It’s a little bit of fun and doesn’t seem to set up the next movie.
I give The Flash a solid:
The Flash 8/10
All the series and all the movies couldn't put society back together again.