The Flash

Score:  B

Directed by Andy Muschietti

Starring Ezra Miller, Michael Keaton, Sasha Calle

Running time: 144 minutes

Rated PG-13

Long Story Short:  The Flash gives the spotlight to a lesser-known member of the Justice League, and the result is a solid, entertaining film that rises above many others by simply not trying to do too much.  The action truly is a draw here, entertaining and not simply an obligatory spectacle.  The multiverse pops up yet again here, as does time travel, but there are enough fun characters to get through it easily enough.  No prior superhero knowledge required: recommended for any looking for a nice action blockbuster.

Barry Allen, aka The Flash, is a member of the Justice League of superheroes, including Superman, Wonder Woman, and Batman.  Like several of his companions, Barry has suffered a tragedy: his mother was murdered when he was a teenager, and his innocent father was framed for the crime.  Using his powers of incredible speed, Barry one day discovers that he can literally run backward in time, giving him a temptation too good to resist.  However, Barry soon finds, as all time travelers do, that interfering with the past can have both subtle and major consequences - and far beyond that of his own family.

The Flash is a fun superhero movie, better than it probably even should have been considering the circumstances.  The circumstances are these: it is one of the last DC superhero films in the studio's years-long, elaborate (and decidedly mixed-results) plan that already feels stale; and its plot heavily involves the very well-worn themes of the multiverse and time travel.  Those factors certainly weigh on the film to some degree, but it also overcomes them surprisingly well.  The multiverse aspect here at least feels (relatively) contained, and allows for neat alternate superheroes (more later).  Time travel tropes are present as well, but it allows the film to explore Barry's character in a more interesting way than most DC films.  One of the best parts of the film - and, frankly, why most people would want to see it in the first place - is the action.  For a nearly two-and-a-half hour superhero film, it's kept to a modest three main set pieces; and crucially, they each feel more intimate and less numbing than much superhero action has become (even from Marvel).  The first showcases the Flash's extraordinary speed, but for the purpose of rescue, and humor, rather than battle (plus cool cameos from his Justice League partners).  The second and third are darker, more brutal scenes, but not overly so; they allow for more vulnerability in the heroes than usual and so feel more tense and intriguing.

The characters in The Flash are middling: not Marvel-level quality, but more interesting than those from many DC movies.  Ezra Miller's Barry leads the way, and in fact, we get a double dose via a younger version who shadows the "present day" version for most of the film.  Nothing too deep here, but at least you get a better feel for Barry as a human being and not just the hero.  Batman and Supergirl get little background but are still fun.  Having Keaton back in the cape and cowl just brings a fond smile, and Calle brings a mood of foreboding to Supergirl that fits Krypton's fate (and the likely fate of her alternate-Earth).  Although in smaller parts, we also get a number of people from Barry's normal life including his parents, of course; a brief romantic interest; and even roommates.  Along those lines, The Flash also benefits from a pretty solid script, mostly shying away from the ponderous and more toward humor (actually funny humor, mostly, and not nakedly poor attempts at it).  Like the action, the story feels contained - so despite being another link in a multi-year chain of Justice League superhero movies, it doesn't bring the sense of a necessary or even inevitable sequel.  There are other limitations, such as the little we have to go on the alternate superheroes, and an eyebrow-raising side plot to transfer the Flash's powers.  But there are no truly fatal flaws: this is an easily enjoyable superhero film.

***

The Flash was better than I expected and, believe it or not, is so far my favorite superhero movie of the year, besting Marvel's two offerings.  I was already a bit more familiar with this comic book character than usual, though, since I watched the first five seasons or so of The CW show about him.  That familiarity ended up being both a pro and a con, I think, so probably a wash in the end.  I did like the show quite a bit, so I'd recommend checking it out on Netflix if you're interested.  There are two more movies I'm eagerly anticipating this summer - Mission: Impossible #?? and Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer - but hopefully there will be some other good ones to come along.  Although I've mostly enjoyed a summer full of familiar brands (e.g., Pixar) and sequels, I'm looking forward to something fresh.  Until next time!

* By Warner Bros. Entertainment - http://www.impawards.com/2023/flash_ver6.html, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=72998005