For a fast guy, The Flash took a long time to get here. The Scarlet Speedster’s solo big screen outing has been mooted since the ‘80s, shedding directors and screenplays by the bushel until finally manifesting as this, the final film in the troubled DC Extended Universe. Run to your local cinema, because The Flash is in cinemas now!
Directed by Andy Muschietti (IT), The Flash sees our hero (Ezra Miller—Google at your peril) travelling back in time to try and prevent the murder of his mother (Maribel Verdú) and wrongful conviction of his father (Ron Livingston, subbing in for an unavailable Billy Crudup). But, as fans of time travel tales know, doing so creates a new and darker timeline, one almost bereft of superheroes. So, when Man of Steel villain General Zod (Michael Shannon) invades earth, there’s no Superman to save us…
But there’s a Supergirl (Sasha Calle)! And an alternate version of the Flash (Miller again)! And, answering decades of fanboy prayers, a Batman, once again played by living legend Michael Keaton. You get more Batman for your buck in this one, too—because Ben Affleck is back as the DCEU Dark Knight. Going into further detail on the film’s panoply of cameos and Easter eggs would be a disservice, but if that kind of thing lights up the nerd centre of your brain, you’ll have a good time with this one.
With the Zack Snyder-orchestrated DCEU coming to a close, and James Gunn’s new iteration of the fabled comics universe about to kick off, The Flash feels a bit like a red-headed stepchild. But your best bet here is to eschew franchise-focussed thinking and enjoy it for what it is: a fun ‘90s throwback superhero flick packed with action, spectacle and beloved characters. You’ll believe a man can run.
