The Flash (2023) Film Review: Will Barry Allen’s Sacrifice Be Enough to Save the Universe?

INTRODUCTION.

The Flash (2023) is a superhero film based on the DC Comics character The Flash. Produced by DC Films, and The Disco Factory and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, it is a standalone movie set in the DC Extended Universe.

The Flash is directed by Andy Muschietti and written by Christina Hodson, the film features Ezra Miller as Barry Allen / The Flash, along with an ensemble cast including Michael Keaton, Ben Affleck, Sasha Calle, Kiersey Clemons, Maribel Verdú, Ron Livingston, and Antje Traue.

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It was released on the 16th of June, 2023, by Warner Bros. Pictures. It runs for 2 hours and 24 minutes. 

SYNOPSIS.

Worlds collide in “The Flash” when Barry uses his superpowers to travel back to change past events. But when his attempt to save his family inadvertently alters the future, Barry becomes trapped in a reality in which General Zod has returned, threatening destruction, and there are no Super Heroes to turn to. That is unless Barry can coax a different Batman out of retirement and rescue an imprisoned Kryptonian… albeit not the one he’s looking for. Ultimately, Barry’s only hope is to race for his life to save the world that he is in and return to the future that he knows. – The Flash

But will making the ultimate sacrifice enough to reset the universe?

THE FLASH (2023) FILM REVIEW.

The film starts with an upbeat tune as Barry Allen, also known as The Flash, finds himself in a comical situation while attempting to order an absurd amount of sandwiches. Suddenly, Batman’s loyal sidekick, Alfred, interrupts him with urgent news of a failed robbery. With other superheroes occupied, Barry must step up and save the day. Unfortunately, the damage was already done when he arrived at the scene. The ground trembles, splitting apart, and a section of the building collapsing, endangering innocent babies. As expected, the speedy hero rescues the infants while Batman diligently tracks down the culprits.

Iris West, a close friend of Barry from their college days and a journalist, confronts him with inquiries about his father’s predicament in prison. These questions strike a nerve within Barry, leaving him seething with frustration. Deep down, he firmly believes in his father’s innocence regarding the crime he was accused of. This unwavering conviction fuels his determination to alter the situation and bring about a change, spurred by the desire to clear his father’s name.

Barry takes a poignant trip down memory lane, revisiting the day his mother tragically passed away. As he reflects on the past, he recalls their family’s profound happiness. Barry, his parents Henry and Nora, the three shared a joyful existence until that fateful day when Nora’s life was abruptly taken. However, instead of uncovering the true identity of the perpetrator, the blame unjustly fell upon his father. Overwhelmed by the weight of these memories, Barry’s emotions erupt, driving him to tap into the power of the speed force and embark on a journey through time.

Despite Bruce, aka Batman, cautioning him about the potential consequences of altering events from the past, Barry’s determination overrides his better judgment. Understandably, he disregards the warning, as the intense desire to right the wrongs and seek justice for his father is a powerful force capable of clouding his rational thinking.

After Barry makes a resolute decision, he embarks on a profound journey to revisit the day his mother was tragically killed. However, an unexpected twist occurs just as he enters the speed force with a determined mindset. An extraterrestrial speedster suddenly appears and forcefully nudges Barry from the speed force, disrupting his intended course.

Barry finds himself transported to 2013. In this altered timeline, Barry meets his younger self, who hasn’t yet gained his incredible powers.

Once they acquainted themselves, they embarked on a mission to the Central Police Department to recreate the moment Barry initially gained his extraordinary abilities. However, their efforts yielded an unexpected outcome: Barry lost his powers, while the Barry from 2013 gained newfound superhuman skills. Now faced with this extraordinary situation, Barry mentors his younger self, guiding him in harnessing and controlling his newly acquired powers.

Amidst their training, an urgent broadcast disrupts their focus. The broadcast reveals the imminent threat posed by General Zod, an otherworldly invader determined to conquer Earth. The situation’s urgency compels the two Barrys to set aside their training temporarily and join forces to confront this formidable foe. With other superheroes temporary absent, the burden of protecting their world falls squarely on their shoulders.

In the movie, Barry Allen takes centre stage as the protagonist. The story revolves around his journey as he navigates through thrilling events and encounters various challenges. As the main character, Barry captivated me with his engaging performance, showcasing a wide range of emotions and displaying different facets of his personality.

I witnessed his growth and development throughout the film, making him a relatable and endearing character.

The Flash gets his powers through a significant event called a “speed force” accident. This accident imbues Barry with superhuman speed, granting him incredible abilities to run at lightning-fast speeds, manipulate time, and more. His origin story is intricately woven into the narrative, providing a deeper understanding of how he became the iconic superhero.

The film also features an impressive ensemble cast, including Michael Keaton as Batman. Keaton’s portrayal of Batman is met with enthusiasm, particularly his iconic line, “I am Batman!,” which resonates with fans. His overall performance in the movie is outstanding, living up to the high expectations associated with his portrayal of the beloved character. Additionally, Sasha Calle delivers a notable performance as Supergirl, leaving a solid impression on me with her portrayal of the superheroine.

The Flash (2023) is an engaging film that showcases excellent storytelling and a captivating plot. With a production budget of around 200 million dollars, the filmmakers spared no expense in creating a visually immersive experience.

The cinematography is truly remarkable, with impressive camera movements, angles, and compositions. The film effectively captures the essence of each scene, enhancing the storytelling and drawing me deeper into the narrative. The seamless blending of Barry face and body to create the presence of two Barry Allens is a testament to the technical expertise in bringing the characters to life. The film manages to handle this aspect in a way that is both seamless and intriguing, keeping me engaged without drawing much attention to the visual effects.

While the film excels in many aspects, there are a few areas where the CGI and certain visual elements fall slightly below the high standards typically associated with DC films. Some fight scenes appeared poorly choreographed, lacking the fluidity and precision expected from superhero action sequences. Additionally, there are instances where the landing sequences appear somewhat artificial due to the use of CGI or less-than-perfect execution. If you are familiar with the iconic landing pose, you may notice the slight discrepancies that give away the artificial nature of the scene.

Nevertheless, the film’s strengths in storytelling, plot development, and overall cinematic experience outweigh the minor drawbacks.

The Flash (2023) delivers a fantastic score that enhances the viewing experience. The music perfectly complements the film’s tone, intensifying the action-packed moments and adding depth to the emotional scenes. The talented composers behind the score have masterfully crafted a soundtrack that resonated with me and I think it will do same to you. It also adds an extra layer of excitement to the film.

Humour plays a significant role in this film, injecting fun and light-heartedness into the narrative. The well-written comedic moments provide a refreshing break from the intense action sequences and kept me entertained throughout the movie. Anticipating these humorous interludes became part of the viewing experience, allowing me to engage with the story on multiple levels.

One particularly memorable scene that highlights the humour for me was when Barry temporarily loses his powers and struggles to teach his younger self the intricacies of harnessing super speed. This moment, filled with comedic irony, evokes laughter and further endeared the character to the me. It showcases the film’s ability to balance intense action with lighthearted and amusing moments, ensuring that viewers remain engaged and entertained from start to finish.

CONCLUSION.

The Flash (2023) is a fantastic family action film with an exhilarating cinematic experience. It offers a thrilling blend of action, adventure, and mind-blowing moments that will keep you on the edge of your seats.

The inclusion of humour provides comic relief, adds depth to the characters, and strengthens the emotional connection between the you and the story. It showcases the versatility of the film’s tone and demonstrates the filmmakers’ understanding of the importance of balancing intense action with moments of levity.

The Flash 2023 is rated PG-13 for sequences of violence and action, some strong language and partial nudity.

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Images used in this work belongs to the respective movie and its copyright holders. We do not claim any legal rights or ownership over this image, and we appreciate the movie’s creators for sharing such a captivating visual.

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