The long-awaited “The Flash” standalone movie is finally here. Our JP reviews the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) adventure, starring Ezra Miller, Sasha Calle, and Michael Keaton.
The Flash
(Warner Bros. Pictures)
- Directed by Andy Muschietti
- Screenplay by Christina Hodson
- Story by John Francis Daley, Jonathan Goldstein, Joby Harold
- Based on Characters from DC
- Produced by Barbara Muschietti, Michael Disco
- Starring Ezra Miller, Sasha Calle, Michael Shannon, Ron Livingston, Maribel Verdú, Kiersey Clemons, Antje Traue, Michael Keaton
Studio Synopsis:
Warner Bros. Pictures presents “The Flash,” directed by Andy Muschietti (the “IT” films, “Mama”). Ezra Miller reprises their role as Barry Allen in the DC Super Hero’s first-ever standalone feature film.
Worlds collide in “The Flash” when Barry uses his superpowers to travel back in time in order to change the events of the past. But when his attempt to save his family inadvertently alters the future, Barry becomes trapped in a reality in which General Zod has returned, threatening annihilation, and there are no Super Heroes to turn to. That is, unless Barry can coax a very different Batman out of retirement and rescue an imprisoned Kryptonian… albeit not the one he’s looking for. Ultimately, to save the world that he is in and return to the future that he knows, Barry’s only hope is to race for his life. But will making the ultimate sacrifice be enough to reset the universe?
“The Flash” ensemble also includes rising star Sasha Calle, Michael Shannon (“Bullet Train,” “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice”), Ron Livingston (“Loudermilk,” “The Conjuring”), Maribel Verdú (“Elite,” “Y tu mamá también”), Kiersey Clemons (“Zack Snyder’s Justice League,” “Sweetheart”), Antje Traue (“King of Ravens,” “Man of Steel”) and Michael Keaton (“Spider-Man: Homecoming,” “Batman”).
“The Flash” is produced by Barbara Muschietti (the “IT” films, “Mama”) and Michael Disco (“Rampage,” “San Andreas”). The screenplay is by Christina Hodson (“Birds of Prey,” “Bumblebee”), with a screen story by John Francis Daley & Jonathan Goldstein (“Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves,” “Spider-Man: Homecoming”) and Joby Harold (“Transformers: Rise of the Beasts,” “Army of the Dead”), based on characters from DC. The executive producers are Toby Emmerich, Walter Hamada, Galen Vaisman and Marianne Jenkins.
Joining director Muschietti behind the camera are director of photography Henry Braham (“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3,” “The Suicide Squad”), production designer Paul Denham Austerberry (“IT Chapter Two,” “The Shape of Water”), editors Jason Ballantine (the “IT” films, “The Great Gatsby”) and Paul Machliss (“The Gentlemen,” “Baby Driver”), and costume designer Alexandra Byrne (“Doctor Strange,” “Guardians of the Galaxy”); the score is by Benjamin Wallfisch (“The Invisible Man,” the “IT” films).
J.P.’s Take:
Somehow the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) continues beating a path to becoming a powerhouse in the superhero genre. Yet, despite the controversies of its star Ezra Miller and the revolving door of studio control, “The Flash” has found its way onto the silver screen.
Apart from the highly successful and recently-ended The CW television series, also titled “The Flash,” this version of Barry Allen is the erratic soul who brings fresh energy to the genre.
We’re now entering the multiverse phase of the DCEU, in which the loveable Barry Allen / The Flash (Miller) is the catalyst for that expansion. His story is a poignant one where he brings another human point of view to the forefront.
When Barry was a teen, he witnessed his mother’s death due to an unknown assailant who murdered her. For years it has been speculated that his father was the culprit, yet, Barry knows this isn’t true. As a result, his father is sent to prison without a fair trial. Now an adult, Barry is determined to free his father and get to the bottom of his mother’s murder. In the process, he’s plagued with the grief bestowed upon his family. While confronting his grief, Barry concocts a plan to travel backward in time to prevent the murder from taking place at all.
The trouble with superhero films that also deal with time travel … and we know the consequences of playing with space and time. So, I won’t go into theories on the subject. However, “The Flash” is more than just a trippy dazzling effect and colorful light show. It has a real heart at its center. Barry’s narrative never wavers and stays the course throughout its running. We become encapsulated by the tragedy that has overtaken his life, while we dive into Barry’s inner emotions.
Miller exudes a kind of humor that softens the blow between dark moments and heroism. Even more striking is Miller’s ability to play multiple versions of Barry Allen in distinct ways.
I got a kick out of watching Michael Keaton return to the iconic Dark Knight, a.k.a Batman role, with a more grizzled and aged timbre.
Because we’re venturing into the multiverse, you’ll spot all kinds of Easter eggs, with multiple versions of the Justice League, in a time travel sequence near the end.
As a whole, “The Flash” is not all bombast in execution. Yet it offers a zany, quirky, slightly offbeat viewpoint of Barry Allen from multiple angles. In comparison to the TV series (which is not a fair comparison), I found the cinematic viewpoint of “The Flash” intriguing and even fun to watch.
Official Site: The Flash
