The less comic knowledge you have, the more you will enjoy this cameo heavy cacophony of multiversal mayhem.
As the Synderverse seemingly comes to a close, it delivers an experience not too dissimilar from its predecessors big screen outings, tons of potential, accompanied by poor CGI and a controversial figure involved in development.
Due to the lead actor's (Ezra Miller) off screen antics, The Flash (2023) was always going to struggle gaining traction at the box office, couple that with the poor execution of a beloved Geoff Johns storyline (Flashpoint), it was a multiversal crisis waiting to happen...
That being said, the film is, at times, enjoyable, not due to the juxtaposed overly anxious and nerdy portrayal of one of the greatest heroes in the DC Universe, alongside a rambunctious, incredibly childish teenage depiction of the exact same character.
Ezra Miller, for all his faults, does indeed provide a some what well rounded performance throughout the film, developing from the overly anxious and nerdy annoyance, who has closed himself off from potential connections in the name of proving his father’s innocence, to a more strong willed, emotionally stable human being. Even leaving very few dry eyes in the theatre as his relationship with his Mother plays a pivotal role in not only the movie, but the character as a whole within the DC Comics. However, It must be said, that Most of the hair raising, flashtastic moments of the movie come due to multiple doses of nostalgia and some jaw dropping cameos that no one could have expected!
Following yet another incredibly slow depiction of super speed in a blockbuster movie, the film really starts to "Get Nuts" upon the arrival of Bruce Wayne, Not Ben Afleck's portrayal of the Billionaire Gothamite, but the classic and beloved Michael Keaton. This is Tim Burton’s Batman like you have never seen him before, fighting, flying and ferociously decimating hoards of Kryptonians, all to the original spine tingling Danny Elfman score from the 1989 movie.
Another bright, although ultimately under utilised, spark within the film is Sasha Calle's rageful portrayal of Kara Zor-El (Supergirl). If you were expecting, Earth-0's punches with a smile, typical blonde bombshell, from the comics, you may be disappointed. DONT BE! We get a welcomed gender flip from the Flashpoint comic, as we see Kara Zor-El grapple with the idea of defending a world, that she has been tortured upon for what is expected to be more than a decade, from the villain General Zodd (A role reprised by 2013' Man of Steel actor Michael Shannon).
There will ultimately be two lenses in which the world watches this movie through.
One, a comic lover who will no doubt have the peaks and troughs of catching all the easter eggs and breadcrumbs lathered throughout the film, screaming in awe as beloved characters from throughout the multiverse zoom across the screen in a cacophony of awesomeness. Yet, ultimately leave the cinema disappointed at yet another DC property missing the mark of what makes a character so beloved to many throughout all previous mediums.
Two, a clueless movie goer, packing a theatre in an attempt to escape into a world too insane and wonderful to be our own, missing what many fans will consider re-deeming qualities to a somewhat lacklustre movie, but being able to put their prejudices as side and see the film for what it ultimately is, a movie that provides laughs, gasps and tears, particularly due to the heart of the movie, a boys love for his mother. A love that proves to be strong enough to create and destroy whole universes.
AND THAT IS A FLASH FACT.
PS. Hollywood, enough of the bullet time, we had the perfect depiction of super speed in Marvel’s “The Eternals” and we don’t need to go back to super speed being in super slow motion!
Reading Recommendations :
Flash : The Fastest Man Alive (2022) : A direct movie tie in, illustrating how Barry mastered his powers between the events of Justice League (2017) and The Flash (2023). Written by Kenny Porter, with beautiful, must see art by Ricardo Lopez Ortiz.
The Flash : Flashpoint Paradox (2011) : The main piece of source material, loosely adapted within The Flash (2023) is that of Geoff Johns’ epic DC universal reset, Flashpoint. Barry harnessing his speed, alters past events to prevent his mother’s death, however, unlike the cinematic retelling, far more wild and interesting fluctuations have occurred within the timeline. Art by Andy Kubert.
The Flash by Geoff Johns (2000) – Prior to Flashpoint, Geoff Johns wrote a platitude of stories for the Scarlett Speedster during his immensely popular first run on the character during the early 21st century. At this time within comics, the mantel of the Flash was held by Wally West, whom many people consider to be the best of all the Flashes, due to his heart, reliance on friends and family, not to mention his supreme mastery of the speed force. Flash’s rogues gallery are front and centre throughout this era, while we are also introduced to terrifying new villains, such as Professor Zoom.
Crisis on Infinite Earths (1985) – The first large scale crisis event to shake the ink from the DC universe comic book pages, provided an iconic and admired moment for Barry Allen’s Flash that all comic book readers have seared into their brain, I can’t say anything more, other than READ THIS EVENT. Written by Marv Wolfman and Illustrated by the legendary George Perez.
