The Flash

Last night on Max, I saw the new “The Flash” movie, which came out theatrically in June but on Max two days ago. Now, I will let everyone know what I thought about this latest, and one of the last, in the DCEU.

One of the last leftovers from Zack Snyder’s failed lease running the DCEU, yet having a joy and lightness that runs counter to that forgettable time, the supremely entertaining “The Flash” reminds everyone of what could have been had someone a little less serious been at the helm.

Edwin Arnaudin said in his review, “A continuation of the wise-cracking Barry Allen (Ezra Miller) in Justice League — not Snyder’s bubonic-dark, interminable director’s cut that neutered the superhero collective’s chief comic relief — this first foray into comic book territory by horror director Andy Muschietti (It; Mama) offers steady action that pair exceedingly well with the humor and world-building of formerly cursed screenwriter Christina Hodson (Bumblebee; Birds of Prey).”

Arnaudin continued, “Like its super-fast hero, The Flash remains in impressive motion, rarely pausing throughout its zippy, near-2.5-hour runtime as Barry stumbles upon a potential way to save his murdered mother Nora (Maribel Verdú, Y Tu Mamá También) and exonerate his wrongfully accused father Henry (Ron Livingston, stepping in fairly well for Billy Crudup) — as long as he doesn’t accidentally reenact Ray Bradbury’s “A Sound of Thunder” and royally screw up his present-day existence.”

What comes about is another solid multiverse film, one that doesn’t get overly caught up in explaining its science and does a worthy job of showing rather than telling to spell out its main points, much of which is focused in a timeline with a second Barry who’s hilariously not used to his powers.

Arnaudin noted, “As such, some intriguing overlaps with Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse arise in terms of inevitabilities/destiny and the consequences of altering timelines, and as with that animated romp, the different versions we get of beloved characters offer some of The Flash’s greatest thrills.”

Used to a timeline with Ben Affleck as Bruce Wayne/Batman, Barry finds himself in one with the great Michael Keaton as Batman – a return as good and likely better than whatever the news creates in your head. Also, with no Henry Cavill as Clark Kent/Superman, Bruce, and the two Barrys discover a different Kryptonian on Earth: Kara Zor-El, played by Sasha Calle, whose rescue from a Russian military laboratory is increased by the kind of visually smooth fight missing from “Man of Steel,” “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice,” and other lesser DCEU films.

The hilarious arguing between the Barrys and the dry reactions they inspire from this Batman and Supergirl sustain “The Flash’s” contagious energy, while a well-done showdown with General Zod, reprised by Michael Shannon, and his army keeps everyone on the edge of their seats to the nicely done fight. Despite the effects work here remains consistent with the film’s prior great visuals, the imagery inside the Speed Force – the space where Barry moves across his timeline – doesn’t look great. However, their distinct look allows for some fun multiverse “cameos” in a thrilling climax that includes different types of DC variants, including some that never quite made it to the screen (including Christopher Reeves, Helen Slater, Adam West, and even Nicolas Cage).

However, multiverse creativity aside, “The Flash” feels like it exists in a previous and completely different reality from whatever James Gunn has planned for his DC Universe (DCU), and if this is indeed the end of Flash standalone films for the time being, let it be. However, thanks to Muschietti, Hodson, and a great cast, it was fun while it lasted.

Spoiler Alert: There is an end credits scene of Barry explaining to a drunk Arthur Mamoa’s Aquaman about the timeline.

I guess people could have guessed from seeing the trailer that this film was going to do the Flashpoint story, which we all know about, even those who have never read the comics and have seen the CW show, like myself. This is a different variation of “The Flash” and I liked this one. I don’t get why people think this was a disaster, especially at the box office, because I think they did a well enough job with this. I wouldn’t mind seeing this again, especially with how everything played out. My advice is to ignore what everyone is saying and see this on Max if you have an account. You will especially love seeing Keaton return as Batman and he even delivers a couple of familiar lines. Check it out, and judge for yourself.

Thank you for joining in on this review today. Stay tuned to see what I will review next month.