THE FLASH

The much-delayed DCEU multiverse adventure has finally arrived. The landscape of the superhero genre has changed exponentially between production and release. Not only is the DCEU now effectively over with James Gunn in creative control of the DC superhero pantheon at Warner Bros., but the multiverse film as a cinematic sub-genre has been extensively explored with varying degrees of success. Coupled with the numerous problems surrounding its star and you get a film with the odds stacked overwhelmingly against it. It’s amazing, really, that The Flash is as good as it is.

The film’s primary issue is also the most obvious – the CGI. Whilst not all terrible, it is frequently, frighteningly ghastly in ways utterly inexcusable for a major studio film. It’s a real shame because the sets, costumes and production design are quite strong. The central performance by Miller in a dual role is highly commendable; the humour works and is balanced well with the more serious elements. Most importantly, The Flash is about relatable consequences, and it remains anchored to the idea that no matter how powerful you might be, you can’t save everyone, irrespective of how desperately you want to or how hard you try. Hardly original –after all, this is one of SpiderMan’s recurring internal conflicts – but it works well with Barry Allen and justifies Batman’s prominence in the story.

Incidentally, and I’m sure it comes as no surprise, Keaton is the film’s best attribute. The costumes, fight choreography and dialogue make you firmly believe this is a continuation of Tim Burton’s interpretation of the character. Keaton’s performance, as in Batman and Batman Returns, is so effortlessly enigmatic you can’t help but be immediately enthralled.

I don’t share many criticisms I’ve read of the third act becoming an overwhelming mess of action. In fact, it deliberately robs the audience of the typical giant set piece so common in the genre, instead bringing its central characters harshly back to earth. The only casualty of this is Sasha Calle’s Supergirl, who does an excellent job with very little screen time.

Fun, fast-paced and at times surprisingly touching, The Flash is a long way from a masterpiece, but there’s plenty of heart with strong performances – and a brilliant swan song for one of the most beloved Batman actors of all time. 3/5

In Cinemas This Month

Indiana Jones and the Dial Of Destiny

Harrison Ford returns as the legendary hero archaeologist in the highly anticipated fifth instalment of the iconic franchise.

Oppenheimer

A star-studded cast features in Christopher Nolan’s epic thriller following the story of J. Robert Oppenheimer (Cillian Murphy) – the man referred to as “the father of the atomic bomb”.

Insidious: The Red Door

The horror franchise’s original cast returns for the final chapter of the Lambert family’s terrifying saga.

Barbie

Greta Gerwig’s film featuring the iconic doll sees Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling on the big screen as Barbie and Ken, who make a detour for the human world in this live-action take on the doll's story.

Elemental

The latest Pixar animation follows an unlikely pair, Ember and Wade, in a city where fire, water, land and air elements live alongside each other.