Review: The Flash Speeds into Theaters

Sasha Calle Makes Her Film Debut

On June 16, The Flash zipped into theaters to less-than-stellar box office numbers, mixed reviews, and a few more batmen than you’d think. Here’s what went right and wrong with The Flash! No spoilers, of course, but read cautiously. 

To start off, this film gets a bad rep for two reasons, both concerning the lead Ezra Miller. An air of controversy has certainly been following the film since Miller’s odd string of behavior beginning in 2020.  The second reason is the seemingly bloated cast – two Batmen, a Supergirl, and a stage set for cameos. In my opinion, though, all of the flashy Batpeople and time-travel shenanigans never once overshadow the main plot.

This is not the first time Miller’s Flash has turned back the clock, though it is the first time he is able to control it. Time-travel in this movie largely works through a CGI-filled visual called the chronobowl. It’s essentially a room the Flash finds himself in where he can see points in time that he can affect. While it is an interesting visual, the CGI used have been met with some backlash by fans.

Now, I feel the need to touch on the film’s other headliners. You’ve seen it in all the promotional material and that’s right: Michael Keaton is Batman. It’s played as if that world from Tim Burton’s ‘89 classic went on to flow into the modern day. The result is a more grizzled, retired Batman. He hasn’t lost any of his reflexes, but he has lost the drive to fight crime, or lack thereof. It takes convincing from a couple Barry Allen’s to assist in tracking down and rescuing Super… girl.

Supergirl is played by Sasha Calle and ends up being one of the most memorable and interesting roles in the film. She does essentially take on the role of Superman from the Flashpoint comic book event, though she is absolutely paving her own way. 

Which brings me to Flashpoint, which this is not. Though a lot of fans expect this to be a direct adaptation of the popular story, this is absolutely its own contained story with some nods to past material here and there. Don’t worry though, there are plenty of time-related crises and world-ending events to go around. Overall, I had an awesome time with this movie. Sure, it has its problems, but the incredible acting, story and overall premise make this one of the best DC theatrical events in the past decade. Easily an 8.5/10 for me.