THE FLASH – Review by T.J. Callahan
The Flash: The janitor of The Justice League
It’s Marvel vs DC at the box office this June. The animated Spider-Man Across the Spider-Verse captured the competition in its opening weekend and wrapped up a massive $120.5 million dollars. DC Comics hopes to answer back on the 16th with The Flash, betting the speedy superhero can outrun its film foe’s summer blockbuster bragging rights.
A founding member of the Justice League, that includes Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman and the Green Lantern, The Flash is finally getting his own star turn, but it’s not an origin story. Dweeby, perpetually tardy Barry Allen has been helping Bruce Wayne clean up Gotham City ever since he was struck by lightning and given powers called the Speed Force. Never having gotten over the death of his mother, Barry realizes the speed of The Flash could propel him back in time to save her, but this upsets the space time continuum changing the future and trapping our young protector in an alternate universe filled with old villains and no superheroes to save the citizens.
Ezra Miller reprises his role as the reel Flash despite his controversial real life actions. Following numerous arrests for harassment and abuse, Miller checked into rehab for mental health issues last August. Warner Bros. says the non-binary actor is “committed to their recovery” and will not be doing much publicity for this film.
Despite all this, fans are still onboard. I saw The Flash in a packed theater full of costumed superhero enthusiasts who cheered, clapped, gasped and laughed…in all the right spots.
Like the time travel storyline, The Flash is all about nostalgia and saluting past protectors. It doesn’t feel like a stand-alone Flash film, but a highlight of earlier DC capers and crusaders. If you are a casual fan, go for the cameos (no spoilers here). They were the best. The rest of the film is overdone and overpacked. Is this overstimulation a trend?
The Flash has everything the cool kids want in an action adventure, but this mild mannered suburban film critic came away with nothing but a hot Flash. My husband, Ricky, gives The Flash two x-ray vision 👀’s open. I recommend taking two estrogen tablets and sitting under a ceiling fan. Oy.
