The Flash [DVD] [2023]

Idk why everyone is saying this is terrible, easily one of the best movies of the Snyderverse!?Especially loved the character crossover from older DCU movies, had such a heartfelt vibe, amazing action and cinematography, it’s now my second favourite after Justice League (Snyder Cut)Thoroughly loved this movie and have rewatched 4 times now, it’s amazing

The FlashCinema Release date: 14/06/2023Run time: 2 hours 25 minutesGenre: Comic book / ActionRating: 12ASummaryBarry Allen (The Flash) uses his super speed to change the past, but his attempt to save his family creates a world without superheroes, forcing him to race for his life in order to save the future.The (longer than usual) Pre-Amble NonsenseDirector Andy Muschietti (Mama, and both It and It: Chapter Two) brings back Ezra Miller (Fantastic Beasts) in the role of DC Comics fastest man alive - The Flash, following the characters brief appearances in Batman v Superman (2016), and Suicide Squad (2016), and the more substantial Flash role in Justice League (2017), and the infinitely superior Zack Snyder's Justice League (2021).Over the last couple of years Miller has been caught up in controversy following arrests and erratic behaviour which potentially threatened the release of The Flash, with rumours swirling online it would go straight to streaming. They have since stayed out of trouble stating they are seeking treatment for “complex mental health issues” following “a time of intense crisis”. It is expected Miller will not be doing much publicity for the movie, and I would not be surprised if a new Barry Allen / Flash is announced in the very near future.There have been a number of attempts to get a Flash movie made over the years. From the late 1980’s onwards multiple directors and writers have been attached to the project. I’d go into it, but this is already a long pre-amble.As part of the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) a Flash movie starring Miller was announced almost 10 years ago! At one point it was going to be a buddy-movie with Miller’s Flash and Ray Fisher’s Cyborg, until Warner Bros decided to switch direction with their DC movies.This film is influenced by the famous comic book storyline Flashpoint. The comic version had Flash travel back in time to save his mother, but it resulted in major changes to his present, including a war between Wonder Woman's Amazons and Aquaman's Atlanteans that decimated half of Europe, and with Thomas Wayne (Bruce’s father) becoming the Batman after Bruce is killed rather than his parents in that dark Gotham alleyway.There has already been an animated version (Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox) and a loose live action TV version (with the CW “Arrowverse” shows Arrow, Flash and Legends of Tomorrow), in which Ezra Miller appeared in a brief but fun cameo.Muschietti has said that his film would adapt some elements of the Flashpoint comic but would be telling a different story. His new take on Flashpoint is set to feature different versions of Batman, with Michael Keaton (1989’s Batman) and Ben Affleck (2016’s BvS) both returning to the role of Bruce Wayne/Batman, with Keaton’s role said to be quite substantial.New DC supremo James Gunn confirmed that The Flash would reset the continuity of the new DC Comics film Universe (DCU) and, alongside Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (scheduled for this December), would lead into the DCU's first film Superman: Legacy expected in July 2025.There’s been a lot of hype about this Flash movie, with many within DC claiming it’s one of the best superhero movies ever and Tom Cruise seemingly giving it a ringing endorsement. Warner Bros. even took the unusual step of giving this a preview screening at CinemaCon (the largest gathering of movie theatre owners from around the world) a full two months before its release date, showing how confident they are. That confidence was rewarded with many glowing endorsements from early reviewers.Those reviews have begun to cool down in their hype now that the review embargo has lifted, with many saying it’s a bit messy but fun, so it’ll be interesting to see how close this ends up being to the “Greatest Comic Book Movie Ever” hype from earlier.The Non-Spoiler ReviewWhile I don’t think this will be in the “Greatest Comic Book movie Ever” discussions, it’s a really fun time at the movies. It’s a really good and very funny comic book movie. One of the biggest complaints about the DCEU films is that they have lacked humour, especially when compared to the lighter Marvel movies. That cannot be levelled at this film. I laughed a lot during this.Is it the best DCEU movie though? Very possibly, but that’s maybe damning with faint praise, depending on your opinion of previous DCEU movies (which includes Batman V Superman, Suicide Squad, Birds of Prey, and Justice League).Ezra Miller is really good as both Barry Allen’s (the super-powered one who has accidentally arrived back in time while trying to save his mother and a younger pre-super-powers Barry Allen). As the central character(s) Miller holds the movie well, giving it (a lot of) humour but emotional depth as well. I found some scenes to be very emotional and it tugged on the old heart strings a bit towards the end. If this is Millers last time as Flash, they’ve gone out on a high.Keaton, of course, is great as an older Batman/Bruce Wayne, though I do think the trailers have shown too much of the Batman stuff. I didn’t know much about Sasha Calle (US TV’s The Young and the Restless), but she’s terrific in her very small role as Supergirl/Kara Zor-El, to the extent I’d really like to see her again in another movie. Michael Shannon is back as General Zod but it’s a small role and he’s nothing more than a Boss Level big bad for the heroes to fight. Affleck is also back as Bruce Wayne/Batman and again his role is small, but it’s a fun action sequence.At 2 hours and 25 minutes this film zips along at a really good pace. Muschietti does a tremendous job with his film, and it’s no surprise he is being talked about as a potential director of the in-development The Brave and the Bold for the new DCU franchise.My only real criticism of the film is that some of the CG is not great. Some of it is good, and for the scenes where there are two Barry’s I thought it worked brilliantly, but some of the action set pieces have some ropey stuff.There’s been some criticism of fan-service levelled at the movie, and to an extent I can see why, but I really enjoyed them all. Though I admit I am a sucker for DC movies and all things comic book-y.There is a post-credit scene, but you could easily give it a miss and you wouldn’t really be missing out on much. It’s just a daft (but fun) short piece that doesn’t add anything to the film, or the larger DC universe.The Verdict8/10 – Entertaining and funny comic book flick with genuine heart. Recommended, especially if you enjoy your comic book movies.

With a film like this there's two things they have to get right, and that's the drama and special effects. Most of these superhero films feel a bit flat these days because there's not enough emotional investment, or high enough stakes to care.Generally they at least have decent enough CGI to sell the action scenes, and are filmed excitingly, so they aren't boring. But making you feel something? Not so much. The problem with The Flash is it's only interesting as a curiosity, a self-contained what-if that was always going to peter out into being nothing.There's little here to hold your interest beyond various cameos of someone who, um, isn't the Flash. And the various cameos of other people, who also, uh, aren't the Flash. The nostalgic references are fun, and the story is okay, but it's so truncated and pointless in a film that's only a few hours long.This really needed to be a tv series (which it already has been, and they messed it up), or fleshed out and filmed in several parts, as it just comes and goes with a whimper rather than a bang. I'm trying to avoid spoilers, but anyone vaguely familiar with the source material knows that this plot only ever adds anguish to the hero, rather than a happy ending. And even that journey was too rushed to feel like it has any weight.The special effects were awful at times, with CGI seemingly everywhere, even for shots that had been done much better practically before. Here's the main character standing next to a copy of himself, and they've CGI'ed his head? Why? Even older films without CGI convincingly pulled this "duplicates" special effect off and looked much better.Some things looked okay, some things looked pretty poor. Some jokes worked, some didn't. The plot was passable but not especially gripping, and ultimately it all adds up to nothing beyond getting to see those cameos. It's all even more pointless because there may not be another Flash movie, and the only reason for this one is just so that the character can grow a smidgeon.Can't say I care that much for this film version to be affected by it, and as an action superhero film it's pretty average at best. The tv show at least handled this same plot a little bit better, just because you had more time spent with the character. But even there it was a damp squib, because that's the nature of this particular story.It won't be the worst way to spend a few hours if fantastical action is what you are after, but I found it much less satisfying than the likes of Guardians Of the Galaxy 3, or even the earlier seasons of the tv show.

Clever / funny / action packed - a pure Super hero movie.. Grab the popcorn and drinks, sit back and revel in a glorious tale of the FLASH..