After many years of production and a lot of off-camera shenanigans by star Ezra Miller, The Flash has finally made it to theaters—in a fashion atypical for the speedy title character, seeing as the film seemingly took a million years to get here.
The Flash does what Spider-Man: No Way Home did in providing a “multiverse” plot that allows different versions of beloved superhero characters to pop up onscreen. Barry Allen (Miller) travels back in time by running really, really, really fast in an attempt to save his mother; this allows Michael Keaton’s Batman to return, more than three decades after he last played the part. We also get another dose of Ben Affleck’s Batman, and many other surprises.
Allen winds up running into another version of himself in an alternate timeline, and the pair go on a potentially time-altering adventure that eventually includes Keaton, a well-cast Sasha Calle as Supergirl, Michael Shannon’s return as the evil Zod, and others who won’t get mentioned in this article. Whatever you do, don’t read the cast list before seeing the film if you don’t want spoilers!
It all helps create a vacuous but certainly fun yarn that shines mostly due to the presence of Keaton, who makes you wish he never took off the cowl. Keaton’s Batman was supposed to return earlier in the abandoned Batgirl, and Miller’s troubles with the law almost led to this film facing a similar fate. Thankfully, the film made it through the turmoil, and there Keaton is, once again growling “I’m Batman” and looking as good as ever in the costume. A new, Keaton-centric Batman story seriously needs to be given a green light.
Director Andy Muschietti (It) proves to be as effective with big action scenes as he is with clowns in sewers. But just as Pennywise’s shtick grew tired in his sequel, The Flash is a bit much at almost 2 1/2 hours, as Miller proves to be a little grating. It’s cool to see Y Tu Mama Tambien’s Maribel Verdu on hand as Barry’s mom. She’s so much cooler than Barry.
Calle left me wanting more of her Supergirl character, and a solo movie is in development. Hopefully, the poor box office showing of The Flash during its first weekend won’t kill off the potential for her to get her own movie. Affleck is still an OK Batman, but this will probably be the last time he wears the cape. Robert Pattinson and another Batman or two to be named will continue the Dark Knight tradition in future films. (Multiple Batman projects are in the works.)
The Flash winds up feeling like nothing more than a stunt movie—another Back to the Future Part II retread that feels unoriginal and a little flat at times. There are also some questionable special effects; they are mostly good, but there are a few jarringly bad visual moments, which is surprising since the filmmakers had plenty of time to fully shape the look of their movie.
Fortunately, it all comes out in the wash, because the chance to see Keaton fly again is too great to pass up. Supergirl is kind of awesome, and other surprises make the film ultimately worthwhile. The Flash, flaws and all, is better than any of those Snyderverse DC offerings.
This is probably the end of Miller’s time in the DC Universe, unless James Gunn takes pity. The movie failed to ignite with the public—and that’s a surprise, considering the Keaton hype.
The Flash is playing at theaters across the valley.