The Flash

Starting with this review, and continuing until further notice, I will be writing a series of brief reviews, in which I identify two (2) elements of the movie that I liked, and one (1) element that I didn't like.  I believe that you, the reader, will be able to determine my overall opinion of the movie based on the elements that I describe.  At first I thought about steelmanning movies that I greatly dislike, but I think that would be disingenuous, so instead, I will be straight forward in my reviews, and let the substance of my analysis stand on its own.

I realize that 2023 was quite some time ago, so it may be helpful to remember that "multi-verse" movies were in vogue, and the makers of The Flash were contractually obligated to continue that trend.  One day, in the future, someone will make a superhero movie that un-retcons all the garbage that took place from 2010 to now, but until then we just have to suffer through unimaginitive slog of comic book movies that think they're more clever than they really are.  BTW - that rant doesn't count towards the review, it's just me setting the backdrop.

I really liked the way that Ezra Miller played the parallel universe Barry Allen characters, in the vein of Nicolas Cage's depiction of the Kaufman brothers in Adaptation, Miller went for subtle differences in the performances, which I liked, because in a certain way it is the same person.

Michael Keaton is great as Bruce Wayne, and as Batman - I mention both characters, because the distinction is important in this movie.  In previous movies, Bruce Wayne is Batman, but in The Flash, Bruce Wayne is no longer Batman.  Sure, it's the same schtick that Bogart used (in almost all of his films), but the more convincing the reluctant hero can be (of being reluctant), the greater the payoff when he finally dons the cowl.

Even after seeing the movie, I have no idea how being really fast rises to superhero status, or how this would be of much use.  As I try to recall details, I seem to remember The Flash in a jet, in some nether-realm (with Nicolas Cage as Superman), in some typical suburban neighborhood, and running up the side of a collapsing building.  My point is, the premise of the movie, just like its plot, and characters, lack coherence, and because of that, aside from the appearance of Keaton as Bruce Wayne and Batman, the movie is quite forgettable.