For a movie based on a character with superhuman speed, “The Flash” sure took a hell of a lot of time to drop in theaters. I mean, good lord. It feels like we’ve been talking about this film since before the matrix cracked and the pandemic threw our simulation into a tailspin. I mean, maybe we have been. I think I’ve lived a lifetime since the initial lockdown. Time simultaneously flies by while dragging aass like I’m in some of sort of speed force. The only thing that has remained constant throughout the crazy and often turbulent times is the promise of a Flash movie; one that includes my personal childhood hero Michael Keaton returning to don the cape and cowl of The Dark Knight.
I won’t lie. Part of me succumbed to the thought that just like (spoiler alert) Santa Claus is a made-up moral compass device aimed to keep children from misbehaving just long enough for their parents not to go get some cigarettes and never come back, this supposed flash film served the same purpose for sufferers of arrested development like myself. If you adult, it will come. Well to my surprise, it actually finally happened!
A Solid Performance by Ezra Miller
“The Flash” finally released on this the 16th of June, 2023. For the love! I couldn’t wait any longer so yesterday afternoon, I did my best Flash impression from my desk to my car, left work and drove to the theater so fast I’m surprised I didn’t end up in 1955. Sweet Release of Glory! It was finally here. I parked my ass dead center in the theater, equipped with the largest bucket of popcorn you’ve ever seen and just basked in it. Housing M&M’s and chugging some Diet Coke, in bliss I sat. So, with that said, here’s some thoughts. Minor Spoilers to follow. You’ve been warned!
So much has been made of the controversary surrounding star Ezra Miller and their much-discussed personal issues. I will just say this. They are really great in the film. Playing a dual role, the vast majority of the film is Ezra Miller talking and acting with another Ezra Miller. It’s not “The Nutty Professor” level greatness of one actor playing multiple characters in a film, and it certainly isn’t the manic hilarity of Fat Bastard and Dr. Evil… but still, Miller’s performance deserves to be noted for being what it is — solid. They carry the film. And regardless if this will be their last appearance or not, the film works well in enough as a stand alone as much as it does as part of a larger scale franchise.
A Fast Pace… and Michael Keaton is Back!
The plot is an adaption of “Flashpoint” in which Barry Allen travels back in time to prevent the death of his mother. It’s not note for note as it is molded into the fabric of the DCEU (now DCU) but it works in that it gets us Michael Keaton! Two Batmen for the price of one. Keaton in his third outing as the Caped Crusader along with Ben Affleck in his 5th ( two “Justice Leagues”) both steal the show in their respective scenes. Keaton — albeit to a higher degree than Batfleck — but that is a combination of the former’s far more significant screen time and that good old nostalgia factor.
With a run-time over two hours, the film moves at such a breezy quick pace you hardly realize. I credit Director Andy Muschietti for really doing an excellent job balancing the tone. The dramatic scenes really hit. The humor flows, and never really feels forced. As if DC has learned from the mistakes of its recent cinematic past, “The Flash” feels the culmination of the efforts of the past decade have all come together to give us this sendoff of this version of the cinematic universe. One cant help but wish this had been the tone from day one with “Man of Steel” and the margin between Marvel and DC may not be as wide. Now with James Gunn and his rich style at the helm of the DCU, I would anticipate more in this vein as we proceed. And I am here for it!
A Film that Delivers
Anyone who knows me knows Batman is life to me. I love all of it. All the movies, the iterations, the comics, the cartoons, the video games. I have a whole room in my house called ‘The Batcave’ for Christ’s Sake. So truthfully, I expected my enjoyment of this film to run as far as the Batman storylines would take me. Surprisingly though, along with The Flash and Batman, Supergirl, General Zod, and the plethora of cameos really did it for me. I know there have been other reviews criticizing the third act, but I found this film really provided everything I had hoped for in “Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness.” Though I enjoyed that film, I was ultimately letdown by the hope of complete chaos which never really came to life.
“The Flash” delivered and more on all those promises for me. It’s wild and wacky, touching, and funny and above all, it’s the best Batman film we’ve gotten in years. I went in wanting to get nuts and trust me, I wasn’t disappointed. You won’t be either!
Currently, “The Flash” is only available to see in theaters.
