The Flash (2023) Action Movie Review

The story keeps hitting the reset button, dealing with time travel, parallel universes, and the idea of changing important events. It's a mix of comedy, family drama, action, and science fiction. Unfortunately, it faces tough competition, especially from "Spider-Man: Across the Spiderverse," which explores similar concepts in a more creative way.

Ezra Miller plays Barry Allen, a young forensic scientist and secret superhero. He's still dealing with the trauma of his mother's murder and his father's wrongful imprisonment. The movie has its challenges—it's hard to discuss the interesting parts without giving away spoilers. Also, much of the key information has already been revealed in trailers and online, making it tricky for viewers who want to avoid spoilers.

Imagine if the iconic ending of the 1978 "Superman: The Movie" was turned into a whole film, mixed with a bit of "Back to the Future." In this new take, Barry, the main character, tries to go back in time to save his family by changing a small detail from the day they were destroyed. It's not as simple as adding a can of tomatoes to his mom's shopping basket, though.

Directed by Andy Muschietti, "The Flash" takes its ideas seriously without becoming overly serious. When Barry time-travels, he encounters another version of himself with a happy family. The film explores the annoyance of dealing with oneself and the growth of a young hero.

Muschietti gives extra attention to the pre-time-travel Barry, emphasizing his anxiety and clumsiness. Once the two Barrys team up, played by Ezra Miller, the dynamic changes, and the film showcases impressive effects. It's a convincing portrayal of one actor playing two versions of the same character.

The DCEU's master narrative sets up a city-leveling battle with General Zod, referenced again in "The Flash." However, this time, there's no Justice League, only an older Batman played by Michael Keaton from the Tim Burton films. Keaton's performance adds a subtle touch to the movie, making it easier to enjoy despite some recycled situations.

In summary, "The Flash" offers a unique take on time travel and superhero themes, with a standout performance from Ezra Miller and the added charm of Michael Keaton's Batman.

In "The Flash," our main trio—Barry, Barry, and Bruce—believes that Superman is imprisoned in Siberia. To everyone's surprise, it's actually Supergirl, Kara Zor-El, who is a powerful ally against Zod. The film revisits Zod's attack, reminiscent of a key scene from "Back to the Future," with a modified Justice League substitute.

The big battle scene, though not visually impressive, explores deep questions about the consequences of dimensional travel. The two Barrys have conflicting views on whether it solves problems or creates new ones, tying back to Mary Shelley's warning about tampering with nature.

Despite these thought-provoking elements, "The Flash" has a downside. It excessively references other superhero versions, seemingly just to showcase Warner Bros' properties. The film's use of CGI to recreate actors who have passed away appears uncanny and distracting, leaving us wondering if the technology needs improvement or if it's just not suitable for this purpose.

The film's principal cast also undergoes odd CGI alterations in a cosmic switching station, making them look eerie and not anatomically credible. This, coupled with rushed deadlines or exploited digital effects artists, adds to the film's messy execution.

It's a shame because "The Flash" has strong elements that get overshadowed by its execution issues. While the movie delves into ethical dilemmas, it often contradicts itself by engaging in the same actions it warns against. Despite these drawbacks, "The Flash" manages to deliver some compelling moments and ideas.