The Flash Review: The Flash is a 2023 superhero film based on the DC Comics character of the same name. The film stars Ezra Miller as Barry Allen / The Flash, alongside Michael Keaton, Ben Affleck, Sasha Calle, Kiersey Clemons, Maribel Verdú, Ron Livingston, and Andy Muschietti. In the film, Barry travels back in time to prevent his mother’s murder, but his actions inadvertently create a new timeline in which he must team up with a different Batman (Keaton) to save the world. The Flash is a mixed bag of superheroics. It has some great moments, but it also has some major flaws.
The film’s biggest strength is its cast. Ezra Miller is excellent as Barry Allen/The Flash. He brings a lot of heart and humor to the role, and he really sells Barry’s journey from a young man struggling with grief to a confident superhero. Michael Keaton is also great as an older, grizzled Batman. He brings a lot of gravitas to the role, and he has great chemistry with Miller.
The film’s visual effects are also impressive. The special effects team does a great job of bringing the Flash’s powers to life, and the action sequences are some of the best in the DCEU. The film is also surprisingly emotional, and there are some genuinely touching moments.
However, the film also has some major flaws. The plot is convoluted and confusing, and the film spends too much time setting up future DCEU projects. The film also has some pacing issues, and it drags in places. The first half of the film is slow and bogged down by exposition. The second half of the film is much better, but it is also quite messy. The film tries to do too much, and it doesn’t always stick the landing.
Here are some of the pros and cons of the film:
Pros:
- Great cast: Ezra Miller is excellent as Barry Allen/The Flash. He brings a lot of heart and humor to the role, and he really sells Barry’s journey from a young man struggling with grief to a confident superhero. Michael Keaton is also great as an older, grizzled Batman. He brings a lot of gravitas to the role, and he has great chemistry with Miller.
- Impressive visual effects: The special effects team does a great job of bringing the Flash’s powers to life, and the action sequences are some of the best in the DCEU.
- Some great action sequences: The film has some really impressive action sequences, including a scene where the Flash races against a train and a scene where he fights a group of Parademons.
Cons:
- Convoluted plot: The plot of The Flash is very convoluted and confusing. There are a lot of different timelines and characters to keep track of, and it can be hard to follow what’s going on.
- Too much time spent setting up future DCEU projects: The Flash spends a lot of time setting up future DCEU projects, such as Batgirl and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. This can be frustrating for viewers who are just interested in seeing a standalone Flash movie.
- Pacing issues: The film has some pacing issues. It starts off slowly, and it drags in places.
Ultimately, The Flash is a mixed bag. It’s a fun and entertaining film with some great moments, but it’s also a bit messy and self-indulgent. Fans of the Flash will likely enjoy the film, but others may find it to be a bit too much.
The Flash Review Rating: I would give The Flash a rating of 6/10. It is a fun and entertaining film, but it is not without its flaws. If you are a fan of the Flash or superhero movies in general, then I would recommend checking it out.
Here are some of The Flash reviews from critics:
- Peter Debruge, Variety: “The Flash is a superhero movie that’s more interested in exploring the multiverse than it is in saving the world.”
- Owen Gleiberman, Variety: “The Flash is a disappointingly conventional superhero movie that squanders its potential.”
- Justin Chang, Los Angeles Times: “The Flash is a muddled and disappointing superhero movie that fails to live up to its potential.”
Here are some of The Flash reviews from audience:
- Rotten Tomatoes: 67% of audience members gave the film a positive rating.
- IMDb: 6.5 out of 10 stars.
- Metacritic: 53 out of 100.