From the beginning, The Flash seemed destined for failure due to countless delays, reshoots, negative press, and behind-the-scenes drama. However, when early reviews came in declaring this as one of the top superhero movies ever made, I found myself very confused. The Flash stands as one of the most beloved superheroes today, and with the CW’s “The Flash” coming to an end after nine seasons, audiences were ready for something new. Back in 2017, “Justice League” received mixed reactions, but Ezra Miller’s Flash was perceived positively and set the stage perfectly for a standalone film.
The Flash was a great adaptation of the beloved Flashpoint storyline from the comics, infusing it with its own twists, while still staying true to the original narrative. The multiverse storyline has been done many times in recent cinema, but this film managed to carve out its own identity. I really enjoyed the dynamic between both versions of Barry Allen, as they exhibited distinct qualities, but remained true to the values that define Barry Allen’s character. However, this dynamic also exposed a flaw that was hard to ignore. Apart from one scene, I found myself disappointed with Ezra Miller’s performance in emotionally charged moments. It hindered my ability to fully invest in the characters and detracted from an otherwise enjoyable story.
The CGI in this movie, particularly in the final fight, was a major letdown. Some scenes appeared cartoonish, while others seemed unfinished. This was especially disappointing because the film did have many lovable parts. Andy Muschietti successfully captured the essence of a comic book better than almost all superhero movies to date. The cinematography skillfully framed scenes, evoking the appearance of panels straight from a comic book page. Michael Keaton’s Batman was the perfect compliment to this style and resulted in some memorable moments. The super-speed sequences had a perfect balance between being comedic and believable. The humor itself had the comic book feel that fit well with the rest of the movie. Benjamin Wallfisch produced an enjoyable score enhancing the heroic scenes, leading to some epic moments.
Considering the ongoing management changes at Warner Bros. for DC, I believe this serves as a promising beginning. Although it’s not technically part of the rebooted DC Universe, I think if they double down on this comic book-style approach, they could build something really special. Although The Flash has its flaws, it was a very entertaining movie and is filled with moments that will make audiences cheer.
