DC is back with it’s gigantic, multiversal blockbuster The Flash! This film comes at a strange time, because Ezra Miller has had some controversy off-camera, DC just recently hired new leadership, and we are unsure if any new DCU projects will ever connect to this film. Nonetheless, I was lucky enough to see this movie early and here is why you should see it this weekend!
The Flash is a live action take on the Flashpoint comic storyline. Barry Allen learns that he can run fast enough to go back in time and decides to try and save the family he lost when he was a child. In doing so, he ends up in an alternate universe where he finds a much younger Barry Allen in it, as well a much older, retired Batman.
This movie does a great job with its story. It pulls at your heart strings in many ways, most of which has to do with our Barry comparing his life to the one his younger self has lived, a life with his family intact. They run into a ton of problems trying to find a way for our Barry to get back to the present, and attempt to get the help of Batman, played by Michael Keaton. I must admit, Keaton surprised me in this film. I expected his character to be more of a cameo, and if he did fight, it would look clunky, but they do a fantastic job using VFX to make him an awesome addition to the film.
Speaking of the VFX, that is the glaring criticism that The Flash will endure once it releases in theaters. There are many shots that simply look unfinished. Don’t get me wrong, there is plenty of fantastic CGI throughout, but good effects are the effects you don’t notice, which means you won’t hear people bringing them up. Bad effects are loud, and in your face, and for me, they took me out of the movie multiple times. I hate to compare them to video games from over a decade ago, but there legitimately is some of the worst CGI I have seen in a modern blockbuster, right here in The Flash. Is it a big criticism for me? Yes. Is the movie still pretty great? Yes.
I honestly think the general audience will be perfectly fine seeing these effects. You might see something and think it looks a little off, but it’ll be gone fast enough and you’re off to the next thing like a flash! Overall, I really enjoyed this movie. It is massive, with some funny lines, a solid story, and in the end, it sticks the landing. The ending is really fun, and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want a sequel after where it ends up. I think you’ll have a great time at the theater!
THE FLASH is in theatres June 16th, 2023.
Rating: 3.75 out of 5
Logan Wischmeier (Contributing Editor) is a Texas native and a massive fan of all genres of film. You can find him talking about movies on YouTube or in line for the latest Star Wars/Comic Book film.Click Here to check out Logan's Articles.