THE FLASH – Review

As you can tell by the rising temps when you step outside, it’s really Summertime, and so it’s also superhero cinema season with a biggie speeding into the multiplexes this weekend. Oh, but hold your horses (or horsepower) we’re not diving back into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (last month we took a possibly final space spin with those Galaxy Guardians). No, Warner Brothers is showcasing another possible franchise from their spandex stable at DC (Detective Comics, though the late, great Stan Lee referred to them as the “distinguished competition” when he wasn’t jabbing them as “Brand Echh”). We visited their “cinematic Universe’ a few months ago with SHAZAM! FURY OF THE GODS (correction: few of you did as that sequel left a massive crater in the box office stats). Ah, but they’re hoping that this won’t be a repeat as one of DC’s most enduring heroes (not part of the Supes, Bats, or WW trinity) makes his solo big-screen debut. Really, he’s been a TV staple since 1967 (via Filmation cartoon shorts on CBS Saturday mornings), so the big screen is more than ready for the premiere “scarlet speedster” himself, THE FLASH.

it all begins in Central City where Barry Allen AKA The Flash (Ezra Miller) is having a “day”. He’s going to be late again at the forensics lab where he works because his go-to server is not at his fave coffee shop to create his high-calorie breakfast sandwich. Of course, that’s when he gets an emergency call from Alfred Pennyworth (Jeremy Irons). Batman (Ben Affleck) needs some backup in Gotham City as he’s in pursuit of some virus-stealing baddies while a big sinkhole is about to swallow a hospital. Naturally, the rest of the Justice League is AWOL, so he dashes away. Near the end of the rescue, Barry realizes that his super sprinting has broken the time barrier landing him in the Speedforce and its time arena (resembling a massive zoetrope with multiple images of past events). After talking on the phone to his dad Henry (Ron Livingston), who’s incarcerated at Iron Heights Prison before his scheduled execution for the murder of his wife, Barry’s mom Nora (Maribel Verdu), which he did not do, Barry returns to the past to revisit that fateful day of Nora’s demise when he was only nine or ten-years-old. Zipping to the present he confides in Batman who warns him of tinkering with history (that pesky “butterfly effect”). But Barry believes he can get in and out without causing a dangerous “ripple”. He goes back to that awful day, then ahead a few years and bumps into his 18-year-old self, right on the day of the accident that will give him his powers. They make it to the spot in time, but it goes awry, and “old Barry” loses his speed, while “younger Barry” gets the ‘gift”. And they’re going to need it as General Zod (Michael Shannon) and his Kryptonian army demand the other Krypton survivor. But there’s no Superman in this reality, but there is a Batman (Michael Keaton). Can the “Barry twins” enlist his help to locate that missing Man (or person) of Steel and stop the forces of Zod from claiming Earth as their new Krypton?

In the lead role, which turns into dual roles, Miller conveys the giddy joy of a youngster playing with an unexpectantly fun new “toy” (his fantastic speed). But his Barry is frustrated to be thought up as a “clean-up guy” for the JL and haunted by his family tragedies. Miller also taps into his comedic skills as he fumbles over a budding romance with an old college pal and becomes a bickering comedy team with his younger self. He’s good, but the film’s real MVP is the return of Keaton to the role that cemented him as a movie star. It’s hard to believe that it’s been over 30 years since he donned the cape and cowl. His Bruce Wayne goes from reclusive gazillionaire (shades of Howard Hughes) to the snarky mentor to the Barrys. Ah, but he reverts to that guttural growl as soon as he finally suits and becomes the grim, yet sometimes grinning, dark knight (with all those “wonderful toys”), complete with a snazzy reworking of that lush Danny Elfman 89 theme. Rounding out the quartet is the soulful Sasha Calle as Kara the true name of a familiar comics hero. Years of captivity have almost drained the spark from her dark brooding eyes, but with the help of her trio of rescuers, she proves to be a powerhouse protector. We’ve got to mention the other caped crusader as Affleck gives us a hint of what a terrific action romp his solo Batman flick would have been, alas. Livingston is a kind and supportive papa while Verdu shines as the nurturing doomed Allen matriarch. Irons makes a superb “man at the desk” as the tech overseer Alfred, while Shannon returns as the regal and menacing demigod General Zod.

Director Andy Muschetti confirms his talent for mixing action, comedy, and pathos in this epic superhero tale. Of course, much of the wit comes from the screenplay by Christina Hodson and Joby Harold (reportedly with some input from the team of John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein). which offsets the rapid-fire quips with fun pop culture nods and inspired slapstick (Barry’s gotta’ fuel up whenever he can). The new red suit looks swell, especially as it lights up right before Barry takes off (from a Greek statue-like pose). The action sequence in Gotham City is breathtaking, though the final act feels a bit too drawn out and somewhat chaotic (it seems like Zod’s army was tougher in MAN OF STEEL and not he pixel fodder in this). The effects used to depict the high-speed journey of The Flash are very imaginative (Star Wars lightspeed to the nth level), but some of the CGI used in the hospital rescue and the speed force zoetrope feels a tad off looking as though some dead-eyed denizens lumbered out of the Uncanny Valley. But the big “crashing of alternate worlds” finale is lots of geeky fun filled with insider winks and cozy nostalgia. In the DC cinema-verse, this flick is one of the high points, not quite up to the glories of WONDER WOMAN, but miles above her dreary sequel and last year’s BLACK ADAM. Though another Aquaman is being prepped, this action fantasy would be a good “capper” for the DCCU (or as some call it, the “Snyder-verse”). Those in need of a comic book hero fix should be pleased with the fun and very fast antics of THE FLASH.

3 out of 4

THE FLASH is now playing in theatres everywhere