The Flash – Movie Reviews by Ry!

The Flash – Fast Hearts and Broken Memories: I am a Superhero

From within comes a feeling.  In that feeling, you sense a chance.  At the heart of a film is that feeling.  There is hope (by filmmakers) that in taking a risk, it will provide a rewarding experience.  Even if things fall short … at least you took a chance.  In this review, I look at the latest DC/comic book film.  A story that weaves within the familiar, it is a journey of interesting concepts.  Even when things are predictable and waver (in the third act), The Flash is a heartfelt journey on the sacrifices meant … to be a hero.

The story revolves around Barry Allen (Ezra Miller), a man who holds the power of the speed force.  Believing he has found a way to change history, it leads to new obstacles.  Standing at a crossroads, will he be able to face the truth and change course?  On the surface, this film builds off typical aspects and intuitive concepts.  In the beginning, we are thrusted through an over-the-top action sequence to set up the current state of the DCEU.  This chapter follows Barry Allen, a man juggling being The Flash and a crime lab forensic analyst.  Through some general conversational scenes, we learn that he is living with certain grief because of his mother’s death (in the past) and soon to lose his father (in the present).  After some expositional scenes, the catalyst of the plot kicks into high gear: Allen uses his powers to break the time barrier.  Having found a way to save his mother, we set off on a directive that melds Sci-Fi, Comic Book, and thriller elements to create a journey of characterization and consequences of choice.  Allen travels back in time, which sets off a ripple effect in the multiverse.  This leads through a series of events that finds the (main timeline) Barry Allen encountering a second version living with his (now alive) mother and father.  Heading into the second act, we see that the two Barry Allen’s must figure out what has changed in the aftermath of tampering with the past.  As the story continues to meld the different genres, the journey layers within the surreal that builds through fun banter, unorthodox action sequences and foreshadowing detail.  With the directive focusing on our titular character (as two people), it creates a vivid characterization in the duality of personal existence.  This drowns out any plot holes or convenient storytelling elements, leaving you with a deep character film wrapped within a comic book outline.  As the Allen’s begin to assess the damage (to the timeline), we are introduced to certain changes that may have dire consequences (for the future).   

As the journey introduces us to a new Bruce Wayne (Michael Keaton) and Supergirl (Sasha Calle), we start to see a change in the depth of the directive.  With the new additions (and a foreshadowed evil), the journey begins to fall back to the basic comic book tropes.  For all the great characterization, the film begins to devolve into a rehashing of past elements for the sake of plot devices.  With certain doom in the form of a returning evil, we head into a third act that is a mix bag of great action, deus ex machina plot devices and lethargic CGI.  With the fate (of the multiverse) at hand, the story comes back to its important moments, leading to a redeeming climax and a satisfying epilogue.  The Flash is a comic book film that is a mix bag of intuitive concepts, characterization, and familiar antics.  For all that happens, there is enough for a good time.  If you are a fan of DC Comics, comic book films, time travel of fun theater time, this is for you.  Worth seeing on the big screen.  

Full Score – 3.5 out of 5 (Matinee)