Estimated read time: 4-5 minutes
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My favorite superhero as a kid was Batman, and it wasn't even close.
"Batman: The Animated Series" was my favorite TV show, with "Quantum Leap" a close second; and 1989's "Batman" left a real mark on me. I wanted to watch it over and over again. My walls were lined with Batman posters, and my toy bins were full of Batman gear.
While I loved the Caped Crusader, I didn't know much about The Flash, but I was always interested in him. Out of my bazillion Batman action figures, I had one Flash figurine, and I'm pretty sure it came from a yard sale and was thrown in the toy pile at home. But something about that red suit and the idea of running that fast was wildly intriguing. It's now 2023, and that secondary hero has his first stand-alone feature film, and the same Batman from 1989 is along for the ride.
"The Flash" and the return of Micheal Keaton as Bruce Wayne have been teasing us for a few years, but the time has come to see if the movie delivers.
I'm here to tell you that while I wasn't blown away by "The Flash," I did enjoy myself and think the film has something to offer.
Here are some reasons why I did and did not like "The Flash."
The good
Michael Keaton
The fact Michael Keaton reprises his role as Batman should not be a spoiler. Almost all marketing materials for the movie have featured him, from trailers to posters. I knew Keaton would add some nostalgic charm to the film, but it ended up being more than that.
Keaton reminds us why he was such an excellent choice for the role of the Dark Knight the first time around. His sense of humor adds to the charm of Bruce Wayne, and his gravitas gives life to the brooding Batman. Thankfully Keaton's role is more than a small cameo, but an integral part of the story, and he gets his due screen time.
The humor
Much of the DC Extended Universe, or DCEU, has fallen victim to taking itself too seriously. Barry Allen is more like Marvel's version of Peter Parker, and the filmmakers embraced this aspect. Allen is an awkward hero who is often too young and inexperienced for his own good. He talks fast and gets himself into precarious situations due to his mouth. His story has heavy elements, like the murder of his mother — for which his father was wrongly accused and sent to prison. Still, these critical moments don't detract from a more light-hearted affair.
Plenty of jokes made me laugh out loud, and one gag in particular, that I won't ruin, had me laughing so hard that I embarrassed myself in front of the entire theater. The movie isn't a laugh-a-minute experience, but the tone keeps things light and fun for the most part. The tone is more "Shazam!" than "Man of Steel."
The Easter eggs
I don't want to give away any spoilers or surprises, but Keaton is just one Easter egg to look forward to in "The Flash." Thankfully, the movie does not rely on these moments, but they are welcome surprises. Some moments may be deep cuts that go over some heads, but those who are in on the joke will appreciate surprises.
The bad
Trying too hard
If I split "The Flash" into thirds, I'd say two-thirds are good, and one-third is a miss. The movie starts out a bit slow, and it seems to be trying hard to be funny and quirky. Jokes felt forced, and many characters were obnoxious and unlikable. Some of that has to do with character development, but it also made for some cringy moments.
Things started to take off once we got through that first third, and I enjoyed the movie quite a bit.
What parents should know
The tone of "The Flash" is a little heavier than most Marvel movies but less than some of DC's other fair. As I mentioned, this aligns more with "Shazam!" than the other DCEU films. Some scenes can be a little disturbing for some audiences, and language is sprinkled throughout, with one particular F-word. The violence is similar to other superhero movies and maybe a bit more heightened than others. PG-13 is a fair rating.
Conclusion
I was not sure what to expect with "The Flash," so I went in with no expectations, and I found myself having a good time, for the most part. It felt like going for a run; when you start, it's not enjoyable and you can't believe how far you have to go to the finish. Then, you hit your stride and find you're really enjoying yourself and can push another mile.
"The Flash" is rated PG-13 for sequences of violence and action, some strong language and partial nudity.
