The Flash
[4K/Blu-ray combo]
Hey, Warner Brothers? What do you think you’re doing, exactly? I know you’ve been trying to be Marvel and desperately throwing your movies to the wall and seeing what sticks. Some of these movies have been successful, like Wonder Woman, and Aquaman, but I think you should know we’ve all given up on you. I think you’ve given up on yourself too, courting James Gunn to overhaul your entire franchise. Now, I’ve always stuck by you if only to show that all these movies basically have the same formula and what becomes successful merely comes down to fanbase enthusiasm (regardless of quality) and sheer luck. And now you go ahead and release THIS movie? I’m shocked. Because the Flash might be the best DC movie to come out since Zach Snyder took over.
First, we need to address the elephant in the room because no one seems to want to talk about it. Ezra Miller is in this movie and they are an incredibly problematic individual. It’s worthwhile Googling them to get acquainted with the charges brough up against them. Chances are, there won’t be an Ezra Miller vehicle for a long time. But, Gunn and director Andy Muschietti have chosen to deal with Snyder’s clumsy handling of the DC universe to move the franchise forward. That means not confusing viewers by recasting the entire DC universe yet again, and what’s obvious seeing these actors being handled by a new creative team is that Snyder really didn’t know what he was doing. Especially with Miller’s Flash who is portrayed as bumbling, awkward, annoying, clumsy and unable to get through a single sentence. This was Snyder’s idea of fun and likeable, but we all know Miller’s version of the Flash is obnoxious to say the least. These are the burdens the new creative team has to bear.
And yes, the Flash really works, for some strange reason. Maybe it’s because I really love a good time travel movie, and I love the original Batman, and there is a smart script underneath it all. Also, there are moments in the Flash where Miller gets a chance to actually act and not just be a punchline and it’s truly revelatory. There are moments where the movie gets too hung up on its concepts and just becomes a reference slot machine, which is too bad. Like, “Remember this reference? Who gets THIS reference?” But, regardless, there really is a lot to enjoy here. Cool action sequences, a story with heart even though it doesn’t make much sense, characters that actually care for each other, great flow and pacing, and some bonus easter eggs for people who have been DC fans for a long time. I’m truly shocked at how much I enjoyed this. It pains me to say it, but the Flash is the current high point of the DC universe. Let’s hope the new creative team actually does something with it.
