A One Mann’s Movies review of “The Flash” (2023).
Ezra Miller is a PR-agency’s idea of a waking nightmare…. just look at the section “Controversies and legal issues” in his wiki entry here – jeez! But that off-screen controversy aside, “The Flash” – the latest frenetic DC offering – has a lot to like about it. Although having its trite elements, the two and a half hours flew by for me and I laughed a lot.
Bob the Movie Man Rating:
Plot Summary:
Barry Allen (Ezra Miller) is frustrated that he seems to be the junior member of the Justice League doing little other than “cleaning up bat-mess”. But when he tests his powers by exceeding the speed of light and finds he can go back in time, he sees a way to correct a crime of the past and an injustice of the present.
Certification:
UK: 12; US: PG-13. (From the BBFC web site: “Moderate violence, injury detail, threat, infrequent strong language”.)
Talent:
Starring: Ezra Miller, Ben Affleck, Michael Keaton, Sasha Calle, Michael Shannon.
Directed by: Andy Muschietti.
Written by: Christina Hodson & Joby Harold.
Twitter Handle: #TheFlashMovie, #FlashFilmNews.
“You want to get nuts? Let’s get nuts.” Michael Keaton reprising his classic role. (Source: DC Entertainment).
“The Flash” Review:
Positives:
- I laughed more in this movie than I have in all other recent Marvel or DC offerings: even the ones that were supposed to be comedies. The ‘baby shower’ sequence was unexpectedly hilarious and a ‘moment of truthful reflection’ made me laugh out loud!
- There are a number of cracking cameos in here – some direct from “uncanny valley” and others featuring well-known actors who are considerably more alive! A final one, in the film’s finale, was terrific.
- It’s not a secret that Michael Keaton is back as Batman, and very twinkly and entertaining he is too. His “Let’s get nuts” reprieve, 34 years later, is wonderful and gave me goosebumps.
- There are lots of fun Easter Eggs in here for superhero fans. One, involving a certain actor battling a giant spider, is just SUCH a geeky reference – I had to look it up – that it is off-the-scale on geekness. I also particularly liked the fact that Kiersey Clemons reprieves her role from “Zack Snyder’s Justice League” film (where you’ll remember Barry rescued her from certain death). “I thought I saw you” – Lol.
- Sasha Calle, in what is her movie debut, makes a strong impression as Supergirl. Fame seems inevitable, and indeed a follow-up movie is already in development.
Negatives:
- Barry Allen, particularly the ‘younger’ Barry Allen, I found to be a really irritating character. (So at times I was doubly irritated).
- There’s nothing very novel about the script. It’s just a brute-force combination of typical time-paradox stuff and the multiverse nonsense that is now de rigeur for all of these fantasy films. (We need a new McGuffin film-people!! Before the audience tire of it………. ooops, too late!!)
- A common moan, but 20 or 30 minutes less on the running time would have made a tighter and better film. (But, as I said in my intro, in this case the film was entertaining enough to keep me engaged.)
Observation (Slight Spoiler):
I’m not sure if this is a positive or a negative, but you never actually get to find out who murders Barry’s mum. And given he is first on the scene, there is nothing to actually really prove that it wasn’t his Dad. If you were Barry going back in time, wouldn’t you want to at least witness that to find out? The story is a bit odd in that regard.
Monkeys?
There is a “monkey” at the very end of the credits. It’s yet another cameo appearance and worth waiting for.
Summary Thoughts on “The Flash”
If you can put Ezra Miller’s dodgy home-life aside, you – like me – may find this a well-made and entertaining superhero ride. It has its tongue firmly in its cheek at times but it is all the better for that. I was well-entertained.
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Trailer for “The Flash”
The trailer is here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jprhe-cWKGs .
