If you are a fan of superheroes, time travel, and alternate realities, and call yourself a DC fan, you are most likely interested in watching The Flash, the latest movie adaptation of the DC Comics character.
The movie follows Barry Allen, a young forensic scientist who gains the power of super speed after being struck by lightning. He uses his abilities to fight crime and save the world, but also to try to change his tragic past. However, his actions have unforeseen consequences that threaten the stability of the multiverse.
The Flash is directed by Andy Muschietti and features Ezra Miller as The Flash, along with two different Batmen played by Ben Affleck and Michael Keaton.
In case you’re wondering if the film is worth watching and what you should be doing over the weekend, here’s our honest opinion on the movie’s story, performance, effects, and message. Hopefully, we’ll be able to help you decide if The Flash is worth your time and money.
1. Quick Review
The Flash is a movie that tries to do a lot of things at once: it’s a superhero adventure, a time travel story, a multiverse exploration, and a tribute to the DC Comics legacy.
It stars Ezra Miller as Barry Allen or The Flash, who wants to travel back in time to prevent his mother’s murder. In his way, he obviously creates a lot of trouble which has consequences. Ezra Miller does justice to Barry Allen, while Andy Muschietti brings his flair for visual spectacle and emotional drama on the screen with his direction, while the performances are also up to the mark at the most part.
The film has both Its strengths and weaknesses. It can neither be called a movie that cannot be missed, nor a film which is unwatchable. It is average at best.
2. Is It Worth Watching?
The Flash (2023) is worth watching if you are a fan of DC Comics and superhero movies in general, but it might also frustrate or disappoint you with its messy execution and lack of focus.
It has a charismatic cast, impressive effects, and some fun moments, but it also has a convoluted plot, tonal issues, and some controversial choices. As I mentioned before, it’s a movie that tries to do a lot of things at once, but it doesn’t do them all well.
It’s a movie that has a lot of potential, but also a lot of problems. It’s a movie that is fun and exciting, but also flawed and inconsistent.
- Plot
The film is based on the comic book series, Flashpoint, which involves time travel and the multiverse. It tells the story of Barry Allen, a forensic scientist who possesses the ability of super speed and who uses it to fight crime as The Flash.
He decides to travel back in time to the day his mother was killed by a mysterious assailant and stop the tragedy from happening. However, his actions have unforeseen and far-reaching consequences that create a ripple effect that changes not only his own timeline, but also other parallel worlds where different versions of familiar heroes and villains exist, such as two different Batmen, a female Superman, and a tyrannical General Zod.
There other heroes from various timelines help Barry restore the original timeline and stop General Zod from invading Earth.
- Cast and Performances
The performances in The Flash can be best described as a mixed bag. Ezra Miller as Barry Allen/The Flash is decent with his humor and heart, but is also criticized for some of his raunchy jokes.
Ben Affleck and Michael Keaton as two different Batmen have also delivered good performances. In fact, many felt they should be blamed for overshadowing the main character. Sasha Calle as Supergirl is a breath of fresh air and a scene-stealer, but her character has a lack of development and connection to the plot.
Michael Shannon’s performance as General Zod can be best described as mediocre. He is relegated to a bland and recycled villain. He has some amount of screen presence, but not enough for a memorable villain.
- Visuals and VFX
The visuals and VFX in The Flash are quite confusing. Some of the scenes look spectacular because of its bright, colorful, and imaginative imagery. These include the scenes where The Flash runs through time and space, creating colorful trails of lightning behind him.
However, the film suffers for its poor quality of digital effects, such as the use of CGI to de-age or replace some actors, and some unrealistic and cartoonish scenes.
The movie also suffers from some technical issues, such as inconsistent lighting, shaky camera work, and choppy editing. The movie’s visuals are often impressive and fun, but also often nonsensical and flawed.
3. Final Thoughts
[The Flash 3/5
Story: B+
Cinematography/Animation: A
Acting: B
Music: B
Direction: A]
The Flash has its positives and negatives. The merits include the charismatic cast, the impressive action and effects, and the homage to DC Comics history. The demerits include the convoluted plot, the tonal issues, and the questionable choices.
The movie will appeal to DC fans perhaps due to the nostalgia factor, but there’s a clear lack of focus and poor execution, which will harm the film’s theatrical run. It’s a fun one-time watch for fans of the superhero genre. But whether it is worth watching or not depends on your priorities.
If you’re a fan, I would say go for it. If you love superhero films and do not mind a not so well executed plot, then too it is worth a watch for you. However, if you’re neither a DC or a Barry Allen fan, do not enjoy watching superheroes and cannot overlook clear flaws in the film, you can skip this one.
Now, it’s all on you! Nevertheless, hope you enjoy the film if you end up going!
4. About The Flash (The CW)
The Flash is an American superhero television series developed by Greg Berlanti, Andrew Kreisberg and Geoff Johns. It is a spin-off from Arrow, existing in the same fictional universe known as Arrowverse.
Cast members include Grant Gustin, Candice Patton, Danielle Panabaker, Rick Cosnett, Carlos Valdes, Tom Cavanagh, Jesse L. Martin, Keiynan Lonsdale among many others.
The series follows Barry Allen, a forensic investigator in Central City, who is hit by lightning on the night of the inauguration of the particle accelerator. Months later, he wakes up from a coma and discovers he has super-speed. He becomes The Flash and fights crime in Central City.
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