The Flash

DC continues to look for its feet in the superhero genre with its already messy foundation it’s somewhat built. The Flash is not here to be the DCEU Genesis but rather a Psalms, something to instil confidence in us the audience. Did it??

We are back with Barry Allen on his solo run (pun intended) as he works on being a superhero and a forensics scientist trying to get his dad out of prison. He works under Batman as a form of sidekick picking up the somewhat minor jobs. As he mourns the loss of his mother in which his father has been wrongly imprisoned for, he discovers his abilities grant him access to time travel. He travels to the past despite all the warnings from his mentor to try and alter his past by saving his mum. However, when his attempt to save his family inadvertently alters the future, he becomes trapped in a reality in which General Zod has returned, threatening annihilation. He then finds in this new reality his fellow superhero brethren are not the family friendly faces he’s accustomed to. He teams up with his teen self from this alternate reality for a “timeless” adventure.

It was tough watching Ezra. Given his recent antics it’s a constant wonder if he would ever don the red jumpsuit regardless of if this is successful or not. He was funny, emotional and to be honest a really good performer. The guy has a future if he can keep it together. He plays numerous versions of himself and I can confirm he nails it. From playing a teen and adult simultaneously he showcased his talent and range. The movie was very Ezra heavy understandably so everyone kind of held a small or even cameo type role. Sasha Calle has little screen time but she held her own and was a good version of Supergirl. I feel like this is her big break compared to her previous roles and I am actually happy for her to hold the role. She can keep the dark hair. She was cool, cold and her display of rage and anger felt genuine. Ben Affleck still is one of the best Batmen on screen not so much a Bruce Wayne. His counterpart on the other hand though Michael Keaton was the highlight of the film. An excellent Bruce, even better old man Bruce, brilliant Batman and a hilarious caveman Bruce LOL. Kiersey Clemons felt underused. For someone who is such a pivotal part of the Flash storyline it was a strange creative decision to keep her role so small and pointless. Special shout out to Rudy Mancusco, been a big fan of his skits and its always good to see progression. The film is smothered with cameos. Unsure whether it was due to budgets but everyone was CGI’ed except Nikolaj Coster-Waldau who was weirdly and randomly placed. From cancelled project hero Nicolaas Cage, veterans Christopher Reeves, Helen Slater, Adam West, George Reeves and many more.

Whilst we are here on the topic of CGI, let me take a deep breath for this part, terrible. Of course CGI is expected to be heavy in a superhero but this was pretty bad.

What makes it worse is the director coming out and using the tired excuse of, and I quote “the VFX looks weird on purpose. Everything is distorted in terms of lights and textures. We enter this waterworld which is basically being in Barry’s POV. It was part of the design so if it looks a little weird to you that was intended”. I found this poor piece of PR insulting, you could have just kept quiet and not commented on it at all.

Even if it is true, bottom line, it was a fail. The CGI is shoddy, unclean and messy. I had to go through a large portion of the film to confirm Ezra actually did wear the Flash suit. The reason I struggle to accept the PR statement is becuase the Batman scenes were fresh and clean which tells me majority of the VFX budget went towards his scenes. Dont get me wrong there are scenes that do get a pass. For example the climatic team up fight scene was decent, Supergirls introduction was well put together and a few others. Like with most productions I get it will never be 100% through out but when the bad outweighs the good it will warrant a whole paragraph just on VFX with scenes worse than the CW show it was hurtful. I’ll leave you with 2 words, baby shower! Dreadful! Lets move on. The production was a good level. Costumes all looked prestige. Flash and Supergirl were standouts. Ofcourse the classic Batman suit shines always. The musical score wasnt the greatest, some scenes fitted some didnt. The combat I enjoyed very much especially the Batman scenes. I’d like to hear Michael did most his scenes. The scenes were smooth, slick and combined both nostalgia and the current Batman together.

Like most time travel themed films we are blessed with easter eggs and nods to past, present and future potential characters. There’s heavy reference to Back to the Future which was a good connection. There’s a nice nod to Joker who are yet to see return to the DCEU. The movie does play on the feelings. Ezra shines in these scenes, mourning his parents and displaying that grief whilst divulging into showing his rage. The messages behind loss and accepting the inevitable are well documented.

Overall it had a meedi beginning and middle and an ok end. A very lacklustre reveal and finale. A decent emotional element to it but nothing that will keep us coming back. The action was plentiful but was held back due to the bad CGI. Is this a good relaunch for the DCEU? No. Is it a must see? No. Is it worth a watch? Maybe, for all the Batman scenes. Wait for it to be on streaming I’ll say!

Do you want to see Ezra return? Who was your favourite character? Did you struggle with the VFX too? Do you buy the directors statements? React and comment below…