The DC superhero film The Flash faced many delays and controversies. Its production was difficult, with director changes, Ezra Miller’s scheduling conflicts due to work on the Fantastic Beasts series, filming stops because of COVID-19, and, most notably, the lead actor’s repeated legal issues.
Even so, the film was finished with a $200 million budget and stands as the unofficial end of the DC Extended Universe. At the same time, it acts as an important link to the new DC Universe.
Director Andy Muschietti, known for showing young characters growing up in the two-part IT series, takes inspiration from the classic DC Comics story Flashpoint. He gives the story a bold and original take for the big screen.
The biggest highlight is Michael Keaton putting on the Batman suit for the first time in 30 years, since 1992’s Batman Returns. His return is more than just a treat for fans—it’s an important part of the story.
A Multi-Layered Drama Born from Time Alteration
The story in The Flash is easy to follow. Barry Allen, a police forensic scientist played by Ezra Miller, uses his powers to go back in time and try to save his father, who was wrongly jailed for his mother’s murder. But changing the past has unexpected results, and Barry ends up stuck in a different timeline.
The movie’s story has three main layers. First, there’s the big superhero action, especially in the opening scenes. The baby rescue scene, where Flash teams up with Ben Affleck’s Batman, is a standout moment that really shows off Flash’s powers.
The second layer is a sci-fi comedy that feels a lot like Back to the Future. The back-and-forth between the two Barrys, both played by Ezra Miller, is great. The outgoing Barry from the alternate world adds a fun, light feel to the movie.
The third layer is the big finale, with General Zod invading Earth. Michael Keaton’s Batman and Sasha Calle’s Supergirl team up for the final showdown.
A Fusion of Nostalgia and Innovation
Director Muschietti mixes a ’90s vibe with modern visual effects. The way Flash’s super-speed is shown is especially unique. The film’s take on time warping feels new and different from most superhero movies.
Differences in Representation Compared to Other Speed Heroes
- Quicksilver (X-MEN): Slows down the world around him during super-speed movement, depicted comically with music.
- Quicksilver (Avengers): Expresses speed through afterimages and wind effects, but with relatively restrained direction
- A-Train (The Boys): Emphasises gory realism, highlighting the destructive force of high-speed collisions.
- The Flash (This Film): Visualises the distortion of space-time itself, expressing the mystique of the Speed Force as an otherworldly energy
So, this version of Flash isn’t just someone who “moves fast.” He actually changes time and space, which sets him apart from other speed-based heroes.
Still, the CG isn’t always consistent. Some parts of the baby rescue scene and times when Flash’s face changes look unfinished. This was probably due to time constraints during production, but with a $200 million budget, I really wish they had spent more time on it.
A Journey of Growth and Redemption
Ezra Miller’s acting is probably the best part of the film. He does a great job playing two different characters and making their personalities clear, even though he’s playing both. His emotional performance at the end, especially when he accepts that he can’t save his mother, was truly moving.
Michael Keaton’s return is more than just nostalgia. His 71-year-old Bruce Wayne feels like a tired but experienced hero, but he still has a strong presence when it matters. Hearing him say the famous line “I’m Batman” again was really powerful.
Sasha Calle is also great as Supergirl. She really shows what it’s like to play someone who isn’t used to being around people after years in captivity, which makes her strong action scenes stand out even more.
A Story Woven with Nostalgia and Growth
The Flash is both a fun movie and one with real depth. It does a great job showing the wish to “change the past” and the need to “accept reality,” all within a sci-fi action story.
What stands out most is how the film shows Barry growing up. He starts with a simple idea of justice, goes through confusion and regret, and ends up making mature choices. The coming-of-age story feels even deeper during the big multiverse collapse scene.
The film’s big multiverse scene is full of nods to DC’s movie history. There’s a dream team-up with Christopher Reeve’s Superman and Helen Slater’s Supergirl, and even Nicolas Cage’s Superman from the cancelled Superman Reborn project makes an appearance.
These scenes aren’t just for fans—they connect to the idea of “mourning unrealised possibilities.” Barry’s pain over losing time with his mother resonates with viewers’ feelings about movies that never happened, making the film hit on many emotional levels.
At the same time, the film wraps up the DC Universe and pays homage to fans from every era. Ben Affleck’s Batman and George Clooney’s surprise appearance as Bruce Wayne at the end help connect longtime fans with new ones. The movie blends nostalgia, hope, loss, and excitement for what’s next all in one story.
Summary: An Epic Announcing the End and Beginning of an Era
To be honest, The Flash had its problems—some rough CG, a few characters who weren’t fully developed, and a setting that was sometimes too complicated.
Still, even as a big action movie, it always kept the focus on the human story. Barry’s final choice not to save his mother will stick with viewers. The film shows that sometimes real growth comes only from accepting the pain of losing someone you love.
This movie marks the end of one era in the DC Universe and the start of something new. Around its release, James Gunn and Peter Safran became co-CEOs of DC Studios and announced plans for a brand new DC Universe. With David Corenswet’s Superman, the new universe will have a clearer direction.
You can’t go back in time, but you can shape the future. That’s the hopeful lesson in Barry Allen’s story, and it’s also the direction the DC Universe is heading now.
When Michael Keaton’s Batman said, “I’m Batman,” again, many viewers felt the impact of thirty years and their lasting admiration for the hero. That’s what makes this film truly special.
