Story: It’s been a few years since the Justice League got together and saved Earth from Mother Boxes, Steppenwolf, and muddled storytelling. So now that Barry Allen/The Flash has time to think about things? He thinks it’d be a fantastic idea to use his Speed Force to go back in time to save his mom’s life. What could possibly go wrong? Um, has he watched any time-travel movies? Cue hijinks!
Genre I’d put it in: Series Farewells That Are The Best of the Bunch
Release Date: 2023
Remake, Sequel, Based-On, or Original: Based on the characters created by DC comics. Part of the DC Extended Universe (DCEU).
Gotta say: I wrestled with going to see Flash. With the allegations leveled at Miller, I was concerned I’d be a part of trying to whitewash those incidents. But with Miller seemingly getting help for his troubles? I figured if he was willing to try, I was willing to chance things. And Flash is hands-down the best film the DCEU has put out to date, and an excellent way to put a period onto what I think of as the Snyder-verse Phase. Yes, it’s got some hiccups, but overall Flash seems to know exactly what both fans and casual moviegoers want, and gives it to ’em.
Flash is an interesting breed, slipping between all-out action and heartfelt character moments. That back-and-forth is most likely thanks to writers Christina Hodson and Joby Harold, who have very different styles of storytelling. Hodson has penned artfully goofy films like Bumblebee and Birds of Prey, where Harold is more gonads-out actioners like Army of the Dead. Director Andy Muschietti blends these two styles, giving viewers moments to catch their breath in-between slam-bang sequences. And honey, if it’s action you want? You will definitely get it. Because again, this film gives with both hands. The fight choreography is on point, the blocking lets you see exactly what’s going on, and with whom, and hey – are those medium to wide shots, allowing us to see everything? Yes. Yes they are. Thank the martial gods for that.
The story is a basic one; Fix The Oopsie. But I think I can safely say without dumping out spoilers y’all haven’t already seen in trailers, that with all the other characters from various…places, it’s how Barry will end up setting things to rights that makes the story interesting. Things do tend to get a bit sluggish during expositional moments, like when Barry interacts with his family (though Ron Livingston and Maribel Verdú are truly charming as Barry’s parents). But as the overall theme of the film is allowing yourself to let your past be The Past? I’ll allow it. Plus, I think fans of DC comics will appreciate these moments that let characters just interact with no jokes, and no real agenda beyond letting viewers feel the bonds between them. But stick a pin in the fan thing, we’ll get back to that in a tic.
The cast? Like Livingston and Verdú, they all dig in. Ezra Miller’s Barry is the Garfield of the DCEU: constantly hungry, a little disgruntled, and strangely endearing even with his quirks. And boy-oh-boy does Miller dial up those quirks. I figured Barry was autistic, and/or had ADHD, with the way Miller uses tics, poor eye contact, repetitive movements, and other indicators, to bring Barry to life. It’s a bold choices, as Miller really skates the line between sincerity and parody, but reels things in just enough for Barry to function as a separate entity rather than yet another cookie-cutter superhero. That said, I’d love to have Barry and Shazam/Billy Batson interact. Barry’s discomfort in his own skin, and Billy’s being in and out of his? Could be comedic gold, if those two get together. James Gunn, this is my pitiful request for you. Puuuuuleze?
This film is absolutely jam-packed with characters, so many are all but glorified and glorious cameos, so digging in would have us here forever, and neither of us wants that. However, a few do stand out. Sasha Calle does a terrific job as Supergirl, giving us a peek at what it might have been like if a certain Kryptonian didn’t land in a corn field. Michael Keaton is absolute perfection as Bruce Wayne/Batman. Even when the dialogue gets a little silly, he makes you believe that mess, hitting you deep in your soul. Hell, this isn’t a shout-out. It’s a sincere thank you to the man for giving the best performance in a 21st Century DC film that I’ve ever seen. Dude deserves his Oscar. And fine; he’s still hot. And Ezra Miller’s back-and-forth as Barry and Barry? Is so seamless I started to forget that I was being Parent Trap‘ed. Yes, dude is prOblEmaTic. But damn if he’s not talented. Make your own “fine line between insanity and genius” comment here.
At almost two and a half hours, this film definitely suffers from bloat. Maybe a few of those draggy scenes I mentioned earlier could have been sharper if edges were judiciously trimmed. But all-in-all, Flash gives us a big, bombastic summer blockbuster that will give you more than just almost three hours (trailers and ads, my dear) in air conditioning. It’ll give you hope that future DC films might be something good. Again, James Gunn? Puuuuuleze?
#Protip: If you’re curious about all the Miller hullabaloo? Vulture has a breakdown they keep up-to-date with the latest info. If you’re curious about the songs and soundtrack? I’ve got you, sweetie.
