The Flash is DC’s latest comic book movie and features Ezra Miller in the leading role. It follows Barry Allen as he grapples with his ability to use his superspeed and alter the past. After choosing to save his mother from being murdered nearly two decades ago, he realizes the immense ramifications of manipulating events in the past and must race against time to prevent the world’s destruction. 

After watching The Flash’s trailer several months ago, I was quite disappointed: it seemed like yet another messy and convoluted DC movie, and the announcement regarding James Gunn’s rebooting of the DCEU didn’t help build any anticipation within me. However, once I saw the positive early reviews, I decided to give the movie a chance. So, what’s the verdict?

Unlike many of the phase four MCU movies, The Flash has an incredibly distinct cinematographic style; the camerawork is some of the best in the superhero genre, and the stylistic choices for lighting and setting are quite visually stimulating—that is, until the third act. The final battle takes place on a desert landscape, a poor choice for the climactic finale. The harsh shade of tan-yellow and bright sunlight makes the movie much less enjoyable to look at, and it made me miss the interesting use of lighting and location that was prevalent in the first and second acts. 

Beyond the technical construction, this movie can feel a bit convoluted, especially during the more fan-oriented scenes. It definitely seems as if this movie had a nearly infinite number of objectives, but there wasn’t a narrative thread to connect them all; thus, many plot points and story progressions can feel unexpected and tonally out of place. 

The Flash also benefits from its great performances. Although Miller has received unfavorable press due to some of his questionable decisions, he plays the leading role very well. He doesn’t exactly capture the essence of Flash from the DC comics or animated movies, but he is able to put a unique spin on the character—one that feels fresh and fun. Michael Keaton, playing the alternate Batman, is also a great addition, as he perfectly captures the essence of the 1980s superhero genre. Although Sasha Calle’s performance as Supergirl is limited, I thought she worked great alongside the other actors. The returning actors—Ben Affleck as Batman, Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman, and Michael Shannon as General Zod—were also incredibly fun to watch. 

As a final note, the opening scene of events in this movie is genuinely my favorite in the entire DCEU saga. It finally felt like I was watching a perfect live-action rendition of the Justice League, and I would even recommend watching the movie for the opening alone. 

I felt that The Flash was one of the better DCEU movies, and it served as a great introduction to this iconic character. Though, at times, it gets caught up in an excess of references. While fan service itself is not inherently detrimental, when it is not used to advance the plot it can feel tacked-on and a bit jarring. Such is the case with this movie. Nevertheless, it is able to succeed in the end as an entertaining and unique addition to an industry that feels saturated with mediocre, cookie-cutter products.