The Flash Movie Review

“The Flash” is a superhero character based on the DC Comics universe of fantastical people. The movie discovers a multi-verse of characters and their alternatives. In an alternative timeline, Flash learns that some characters do not exist. And others exist in way that seems unfamiliar. For most of the audience, the face behind the Bat Cowl is a welcome blast from the past…

Barry Allen (played by Ezra Miller) is super-powered hero called ‘The Flash’. Due to a freak accident back when he was eighteen, The Flash is super-speedy. His powers have brought him to be in the Justice League. He is familiar with Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, and Cyborg. Being the youngest member, he is always playing second fiddle – being on the ‘Junior Justice League’.

There is a major robbery gone wrong, and that results in a Gotham City hospital in danger. Batman’s second-in-command – Alfred (played by Jeremy Irons) – calls Barry to get his assistance. In a flash, out comes ‘The Flash’. He is overloaded with saving falling babies, a nurse and even a therapy dog.

But he never gets a chance to help Batman with the big chase and the capture. The Flash is useful, but he never gets the Major League plays for the Justice League. Barry complains that his talents are being wasted. He grew up with serious trauma, just like Bruce Wayne (played by Ben Affleck) — who is Batman.

Bruce tells Barry both of his parents had been killed. Barry’s Mom (played by Maribel Verdú) was murdered. Her death was blamed on his Dad (played by Ron Livingston). But Barry knows that his Dad is innocent, but he has not found a way to prove it. Not even with the video-enhancement tool from Wayne Industries.

Barry explains that he has the ability to go so fast the he can speed up past the timeline. It could be possible to have ‘The Flash’ travel back to when his Mom and Dad were both still alive. What if he went back to somehow warn them? If Barry could be there, could he prevent the murder? What harm would that cause?

Barry ignores the advice from Bruce Wayne. Barry is single-minded and focused on getting a timeline setup where both his parents lived and are free in the world. What is the worst that could happen?  Barry is able to travel back to a time when he was ten years old. Things are changed, and now both his Mom and his Dad are living in a world to raise a young Barry Allen.

But as Barry travels back to his own time, something happens. He is knocked out of his time travel bubble and ends up in a time when the young Barry Allen is now the eighteen-year-old Barry Allen (also played by Ezra Miller). ‘The Flash’ is in a place out of time – and his ability to move freely in time has been disrupted. Barry (the Elder) meets up with Barry (the Younger).

Barry Squared is now hiding from Mom and Dad, and both are trying to figure out what to do. There is something unusual about this alternative timeline. Yes, both of his parents are alive, his father is not in jail.  But there is more to it. Barry (the Elder) determines that today is the day that Barry (the Younger) got his super-speed powers.

Barry was hit by a freak accident involving lightning and some chemicals. But this time things go awry. Now there is still one Barry with the super-speed powers. But it not the one came with those powers. Barry (the Elder) decides he needs some help from the Justice League members. But he cannot locate any of them. Superman is missing; Wonder Woman cannot be found; Aquaman and Cyborg do not seem to exist.

Barry Squared both take a cab to Wayne Manor. It appears deserted and run-down. But they do met one older guy inside. He explains that he used to be a major crime fighter, but he gave it up long ago. After a while, Gotham City did not need Bruce Wayne to be Batman (played by Michael Keaton).  Bruce and Barry Squared get over to the Batcave.

Bruce has never heard of anyone called ‘Superman’, who is from another planet, Krypton. Bruce has investigated about a Russian prisoner who is said to have Super powers. Batman goes with Barry Squared, and they find it is not Superman. It is a girl – it is Supergirl (played by Sasha Calle). She was sent some time after Superman, to look after him.

But Superman does not exist. There is a dangerous nemesis who is willing to find any Super individual. His aim is to destroy the Earth, and then reform it into a new Planet Krypton. This is the evil General Zod (played by Michael Shannon). Barry (the Elder) remembers back in his timeline when Superman fought against Zod. General Zod was killed in that timeline.

But in this universe there is no Superman. Supergirl has incredible powers, but she does not have the same range of strength as Superman. Both of Barry Squared now have the unbelievable Speed Force. Batman has quite a few gadgets and gizmos. But he is still human, and not really a match for the invading army of alien beings. They have a limited squad of good guys, and they are facing a never-ending supply of Zod’s alien goons.

Barry (the Elder) realizes that this is a timeline that has no future. They do not have enough strength to take on General Zod and win. Even if Barry (the Younger) uses the time travel options to go back and replay many of the fights and battles, there will not be a successful outcome. Barry (the Elder) — being the elder — has the wisdom to know what is going to be the result. Barry (the Younger) just wants to try and continue to try other options, but none of them work.

“The Flash” has not been all that speedy getting into theaters. Originally scheduled for a 2018 release, this movie has been through the wringer. But once it got back on track, the results have evolved into a very decent superhero movie. The movie Director Andy Muschietti, from the movies ‘It: Chapter I and II”, takes a lighter tone for this film.

Actor Ezra Miller has been a troublesome presence in the recent past. However, Miller does a credible job getting the correct ‘Barry’ portrayal on the screen. Miller is playing both the slightly older and wiser Barry, along with the younger, less seasoned Barry. The work of Sasha Calle as Supergirl gets some nods for being the ‘super-powered’ replacement for Superman.

But the biggest nostalgia grin comes from when Michael Keaton comes into the movie. The older, and now retired, Batman has to restart his game to become an ally to Barry Squared. His old theme music plays and all is right with the world once more. But this Batman knows that facing General Zod is a fool’s mission. Heavy is the head that wears the Cowl…

“The Flash” does a pretty good job overall to create a lighter tone with a big helping of nostalgia. The movie moves at a steady pace, even if it hits a speed bump now and then.