“The Flash,” directed by Andy Muschietti and starring Ezra Miller as Barry Allen, is described as a mixed bag of the superhero blockbuster era by the reviewer, Matt Zoller Seitz. The film is said to be both thoughtful and clueless, featuring impressive digital effects work alongside some poorly executed ones. It explores time travel, parallel universes, and the question of altering “canonical” events in a person’s life or an entire dimension.
The plot involves Barry Allen’s attempt to use his Flash powers to go back in time and prevent the murder of his parents. However, as with many time travel stories, things don’t go as planned, leading to complications and alternate timelines.
Ezra Miller’s portrayal of Barry Allen is discussed, along with the interesting concept of the character interacting with an alternate version of himself, allowing for character development. The movie also introduces Michael Keaton as an older version of Batman, which adds depth to the storyline.
The film delves into serious themes and philosophical issues, drawing connections to Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein” and the consequences of tampering with nature. It is commended for attempting to maintain a somewhat hopeful ending while addressing these deeper concepts.
However, the review also points out a significant flaw in the film’s approach. “The Flash” seemingly relies heavily on callbacks and references to other adaptations of DC comics, creating a sense of fan service. Additionally, the use of CGI to recreate past actors in the Chrono-Bowl is criticized for being uncanny and distracting from the story.
Overall, “The Flash” is praised for its ambition and thoughtfulness but criticized for its inconsistency and overreliance on nostalgic elements. It appears to be an ambitious attempt at a superhero film with philosophical undertones, but it may not fully succeed in delivering a cohesive and satisfying experience.