The Flash

With all the countless changes in preproduction over the years and various controversies surrounding the film, whether during the making of it or the people involved outside of it, The Flash certainly had a long road. While this does take place in the DCEU, the film is meant to use its time travel plot to restart the universe and lead to James Gunn's own take of the superhero universe. After Barry Allen, the title character, helps Batman in Gotham City, we learn that the two have been trying to find a way to prove that Barry's father did not murder his mother. After not finding any proof, and much to Bruce's warning, Barry uses his powers to go back in time and alter history so that his mother is still alive. After being attacked by an unknown force, Barry ends up in 2013 wherein his mother is alive, father isn't imprisoned, but a younger version of him is still around. Soon Barry realizes his altering of the past has caused things all over to go wrong as General Zod and his forces invade much like in Man of Steel but none of the other heroes, except an older version of Batman played by Michael Keaton and a less experienced Supergirl, exist. All four try their best but when the two Barrys constantly go back and try to fix whatever problems, it causes the multiverse to implode. The older Barry realizes that the only way to fix everything is to let his mother die, but by changing one small thing to get his father exonerated it puts him back into his own universe though with George Clooney as Bruce Wayne. One thing that this movie has going for it is it is definitely one of the most imaginative superhero films of recent times. However, it is let down by various factors in its execution and overuse of nostalgia as well as the activities outside the movie by its star Ezra Miller. Director Andy Muschietti has a very unique look that uses a good combination of the effects and Henry Braham's cinematography to give it a colorful and often strange feel similar to that of the comics. Of course there are many of the effects that really don't look that great, whether it's fake babies or how the costume looks on Ezra, that should have been given more time to polish. The writing from Christina Hodson does have a lot of good intentioned in it and the passion is there, but often staggers and slags just as much as it works. Most of the time a movie centering on the Flash feels more like a tribute towards Batman, particularly Keaton's take. Was it great to see his version again, sure, but a lot of the writing never made you feel like this was the same version from 1989 and '92 save for a few references that often feel empty. The best part of the writing, helped also by the performances, is anything to do with Barry's family especially in his decision to alter his original change. For all the big bombastic moments and epic fight scenes this movie has, it's the one when Barry meets his mother one last time that is highly impactful. Once again Ezra's whole thing outside the film is terrible and they should face consequences, but the performance is great especially in portraying multiple versions of Barry. Having three different versions of Batman gives us three distinct and well done takes from Ben Affleck, Michael Keaton, and George Clooney. Sasha Calle, who plays Supergirl, is a wonderful addition and makes you wish that she could appear in future projects. The most controversial aspect to this movie is of course when the multiverse is imploding and are given brief glimpses into other universes. Many of them being past versions of superhero portrayals, like Christopher Reeve and George Reeves as Superman and Adam West as Batman. It also has Nicolas Cage as the Superman he would have portrayed in the cancelled 90s movie fighting a giant spider. I admire the intention to pay ode to the many movies and shows based on DC Comics of the past, but between the really plastic looking CGI and feeling as though the moment itself just happens for fan service and not earned all that much, it is a rather empty moment that shows how over reliant we are with nostalgia. Warner Bros.'s decision to keep this movie going, as opposed to the less expensive Batgirl, and it failing incredibly will forever haunt it whether it's a future cult classic or not. This being the third time that The Flashpoint Paradox had been adapted for another medium, The Flash is unfortunately the weakest effort but at least it had really fun moments. Over all: 88%

2023 top list so far:

1. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

2. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3

3. Air

4. Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves

5. Creed III

6. John Wick: Chapter 4

7. Scream VI

8. M3GAN

9. Cocaine Bear

10. Knock at the Cabin

11. The Flash

12. The Super Mario Bros. Movie

13. Renfield

14. Fast X

15. The Little Mermaid 2023

16. Shazam! Fury of the Gods

17. Transformers: Rise of the Beasts

18. Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania

Green Arrow Vol. 1 #1

Having been around since 1941, it's surprising that Green Arrow, DC Comics' Robin Hood inspired Emerald Archer, never had his own self titled series until 1983s Green Arrow Vol. 1 #1. The comic starts out with Oliver Queen fighting crime as he recounts his origins wherein he was left stranded on an island and learned to hone his archery skills before being rescued. Later, Oliver learns of the death of an old friend of his, an elderly woman named Abigail Horton, whose daughter he got close to before he ended up on the island. When Oliver attends the reading of Abigail's will, alongside the rest of her family, it's revealed that, much to his and her family's surprise, Abigail left a large sum of her inheritance to him. Soon after, Oliver survives an explosion and is nearly killed by hitmen, leading him to don his Arrow suit and set out to investigate who in Abigail's family was angry enough to want to kill him. 42 years after his first appearance, Green Arrow's first self titled comic and the start of a four issue limited series, this hits it out of the park thanks to its Agatha Christie inspirations. Writer Mike W. Barr manages to put together a debut issue that has equal amounts of exposition of the title character's past and crafting a mystery that is highly inspired by the works of Christie and neo-noir that was popular at the time. Barr's narration and dialogue never feels forced when giving exposition and helps make many of the characters, including the antagonists feel very rounded. Another aspect that helps this comic give it a very neo-noir vibe is the combinatory work of the art by Trevor von Eeden, inking by Dick Giordano, and coloring by Tom Zuiko. Their work certainly brings the characters to life and keep the backgrounds fresh while managing to give many of the scenes match the moody tone of the writing. Being only the debut of a four part series, Green Arrow Vol. #1 grabs you immediaetly and keeps you wondering how the rest of the story will play out. Over all: 100%

Top list so far for 3rd set of comics:

1. Green Arrow Vol. 1 #1

2. Star Wars: Dark Empire #1

3. Deadman: Love After Death #1

4. Walt Disney's Uncle Scrooge and Donald Duck: The Don Rosa Library Vol. 1

5. Hulk Vol. 5 #1

6. Avnegers: War Across Time #1

7. The Yellow Kid

8. Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars #1

9. Action Comics Vol. 1 #674

Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars #1

Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars #1 is the premiere issue to one of comics' earliest use of crisis crossover events. Being the first of a twelve part story, having been released from 1984 to '85, this comic is all about setting up the story of the original Secret Wars. It all starts with the cosmic entity known as the Beyonder who takes various superheroes and villains from the main universe into a makeshift planet he created known as Battleworld. Heroes include some of the Avengers, X-Men, a few of the Fantastic 4, Spider-Man, and even Magneto. As for the villains there's Galactus, Doctor Doom, Ultron, some of the Wrecking Crew, and Doctor Octopus. The Beyonder asks them to take part in a planet scale battle and will grant the remaining winner whatever they desire. While the heroes are reluctant to take part in it, the villains end up fighting each other with Galactus and Doom going after the Beyonder but brought down easily. While initially avoiding the villains, Captain America and Iron Man both get the heroes to work together to take them on. This is a pretty good start, though a lot of the information it gives at once does feel a bit rushed and the dialogue is a little clunky. But Jim Shooter's writing manages to still keep the story in this comic very engaging, and knowing the combination of needing it out before DC's Crisis on Infinite Earths and being a tie-in to a toy-line does make me appreciate what he had to go through. He captures every hero and villain perfectly while making the mystery of the Beyonder compelling enough to want to read the rest of the event. The artwork is the comic's biggest advantage as the rushness behind the scenes didn't keep this from looking great. It has the light colorful brightness well known for the decade but with more details and features featured thanks to the Battleworld setting. You also get numerous characters in one issue, and often in single panels or and entire page spread, that never loose their signature looks thanks to pencilling by Michael Zeck, the inking from John Beatty, and Christie Scheele's coloring. Over the years, DC and Marvel has had incredible events with intriguing first issues to draw you in, but never forget Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars #1's iconic status for being one of the first, even through its flaws. Over all: 99%

Top list so far for 3rd set of comics:

1. Star Wars: Dark Empire #1

2. Deadman: Love After Death #1

3. Walt Disney's Uncle Scrooge and Donald Duck: The Don Rosa Library Vol. 1

4. Hulk Vol. 5 #1

5. Avnegers: War Across Time #1

6. The Yellow Kid

7. Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars #1

8. Action Comics Vol. 1 #674