The Flash

The bells are tolling for this phase of the DC universe and The Flash almost feels like a swan song. But don't worry, we still have Aquaman 2 and Blue Beetle to look forward to! Comparing this to Marvel is a waste of time nowadays, but here Spider-Man: No Way Home is literally screaming. Although it's quite entertaining, the plot, which mixes several timelines, has to be kicked off with the main character acting like the world's most irresponsible moron, and everything that happens after that is just mindless action for effect. The excessive fan service will captivate many, on the other hand, the very bad digital effects may surprise some, but otherwise it's a pretty average comic book film, whose existence you will probably forget two days after the screening. (06/14/2023)

After Marvel's Spider-Man, I went "across parallel worlds" for the second time this week, and even though DC is a bit behind in this regard, I left the cinema quite satisfied. Though the plot of The Flash, like the new Spider-Man, revolves around the (un)avoidability of fate that goes hand in hand with the reckless actions of the main character, I didn't feel like I was watching a copycat in the theater. In spite of the at times rather trivial visual effects – especially in the opening with the raining babies (it worked better for Quicksilver in Days of Future Past and Apocalypse) and in that vicious knot – I enjoyed Barry's new adventure, thanks in no small part to the participation of Michael Keaton, who is still the most likeable Batman for me, and Maribel Verdú's small but essential role. I liked the return (albeit in CGI) of the old but also never-realized Batman, I enjoyed the allusions to other films and I appreciate that they prepared some nice script surprises alongside the mandatory action. If I were being strict, I'd give the film three stars, but since it just sat right with me in the theater by entertaining, surprising, and moving me, I give it a (weaker) four. (06/16/2023)

A film that ultimately didn't take as big a bite as I feared, it isn't only waiting for the Batmen and all the possible cameos to show up. It’s a truly good and, more importantly, fun Flash story. Nothing profound, nothing I'd remember for a long time, but I guess that wasn't the point. It's "just a pity" that this film is actually of no use and that the studio itself had already killed it before releasing it by a series of decisions. (06/23/2023)

#13 DCEU. After a decade since Man of Steel, I finally got to see a live-action Flash(point). The animated The Flashpoint Paradox was not bad at all, and in the sequential art world it was a significant event in 2011 designed to restart DC, which was followed by the famous era of The New 52. And of course, we also saw a television crossover on the same topic in the world of the Arrowverse. But such a complex theme came simply too late. Superficial movie viewers who refuse to read the comic book originals, and who normally fill the box office, are lost. Those who reject cartoons and series do not understand half of that interconnected world. And that's why it's not doing well in movie theaters. Speaking for myself, I must say that I am thrilled with the return of Batman 89 (and Batman 97), I have absolutely no problem with Ezra Miller, I am completely satisfied with all the plots around Michael Shannon, I enjoyed another scene with Gal Gadot... There are many things that I liked, including the million nods to the film past of DC. I will skip the collector Barbie with Sasha Calle's face this time, because there is only one Supergirl. For me, this was very good, though it could have been brilliant if it was the planned peak of the entire DC movie decade from the beginning, but it is definitely not a defeat. (08/18/2023)

An express train you have to run towards. It's easy for me because I enjoy getting past Ezra Miller's personal life and I can just enjoy how authentic and at the same time neurotic it seems again. He saved Justice League from being unwatchable and he also succeeded here easily. However, since it didn't catch on with the viewers, this is not only the end of him as a hero with a lightning bolt on his chest, but probably also as an actor in major roles and films, and I find that really hard to reconcile myself to. Flash's cursed solo movie is problematic even without a controversial opinion about the main protagonist. It combines witty humor, pathos-filled family drama, and multiverse. A film that wanted to introduce parallel worlds a few years ago now comes as a miss; considering the repeatedly postponed production and changes in the creative chairs, it didn't manage to pave the way to playing with them. I am all the more pleased that even the little that they did manage to accomplish actually works. Looking back into the past rarely fails and the nostalgic sighs for those who are no longer with us fit incredibly well in relation to the main story arc. However, you have to admit that it's not worth pondering too much about the major guest appearances (unfortunately revealed long in advance), namely the participation of the old Batman and the new addition from Krypton. The presence of the grey-haired protector of Gotham will undoubtedly bring tears to somebody's eyes, but as soon as I try to connect the meaningfulness of the aforementioned duo's participation and its (non)impact on the final outcome of the story and the time paradox, I feel perplexed because their participation as a whole seems rushed. Similarly, the possibilities of expanding, rebuilding, or simply throwing the DC publisher's universe adaptations back to the beginning were unprecedented – and nothing happened at all. This temptation, therefore, falls on barren ground and turns Flash into an adventure, fun, enjoyment, and an emotional ending, but never into the giant event that it promised to be for all these years. 70% (06/27/2023)