In 1940, Gardner Fox and Harry Lampert created Flash Comics #1, which debuted football star turned superhero, Jay Garrick. The books were canceled in 1951, but DC rebooted the series by introducing Barry Allen in Showcase #4 in 1956. While there have been other versions of The Flash, Barry Allen became the definitive version of The Scarlet Speedster. The character was first adapted in The Superman/Aquaman Hour of Adventure in 1967 before transitioning to Super Friends. John Wesley Shipp was the first live actor to play The Flash in the 1990s TV series. Since the late 1980s, plans for a live-action feature film had been floating around Hollywood with multiple directors attached. David S. Goyer, Shawn Levy, David Dobkin, Seth Grahame-Smith, and Rick Famuyiwa were involved before Andy Muschietti got the job. After numerous delays and behind-the-scenes controversies, The Flash finally hit theaters in June 2023.
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Synopsis
Barry Allen, aka The Flash (Ezra Miller), is still grieving over the death of his mother, Nora (Maribel Verdú). In his emotional state, Barry starts running faster and faster until he discovers he can travel back in time. Despite several warnings, Barry travels back and stops his mother’s death, only to get knocked into 2013. He meets his past self and gets him to get struck by lightning, which grants him powers but removes his. While Barry tries teaching his past self how to use his powers, General Zod (Michael Shannon) makes his presence known. Wonder Woman, Cyborg, and Aquaman don’t exist in this universe, but the Barrys find Bruce Wayne, aka Batman (Michael Keaton). With his help, they find a Kryptonian imprisoned in Siberia, but it turns out to be Kara Zor-El (Sasha Calle). It’s up to Batman, Supergirl, and The Flashes to stop Zod and save the Multiverse.
Review
Before going further, I’d like to state my feelings on The Flash are unrelated to the controversies surrounding Ezra Miller. My remarks towards Miller are strictly related to their performance and have nothing to do with the allegations against them. That said, Miller performs well playing a wiser, more sardonic Barry and a younger, more carefree Barry. The effects of conveying two Barrys are mind-blowing, and Miller does an excellent job of making both feel different. Of course, Michael Keaton steals the show, especially if you’re a fan of the 1989 Batman and its sequel. Relative newcomer Sasha Calle shows excellent potential as Supergirl, and I’m curious to see what she does next. Michael Shannon, one of the best aspects of Man of Steel, is solid in his few scenes as General Zod. The supporting cast all do a respectable job, and some fun cameos are sprinkled throughout.
Speaking of cameos, this movie is loaded with tons of fan service, perhaps a bit too much. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse also had plenty of fan service, but the filmmakers worked it into the story. It doesn’t help that while some of the visual effects are decent, there are some genuinely horrendous CG shots here. Without spoiling too much, much of the CGI looks about on par with Mortal Kombat: Annihilation, and it’s distracting. Also, the final act is another big, explosion-filled action sequence that drags out too long. To give Andy Muschietti credit, there are some fun action sequences, and the emotional scenes hit where it counts. Compared to Shazam! Fury of the Gods, which was a huge letdown, this one’s more of a mixed bag. Overall, The Flash has some glaring flaws but has enough decent performances and heart to keep it engaging.
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