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