Certificate – 12A
Directed By – Andy Muschietti
Starring – Ezra Miller, Michael Keaton, Sasha Calle, Ben Affleck, Michael Shannon, Maribel Verdú, Ron Livingston, Kiersey Clemons, Saoirse-Monica Jackson, Antje Traue, Rudy Mancuso.
Running Time – 144 Minutes (2 Hours 24 Minutes)
Having now re-watched The Flash after seeing it at a press screening, I still find it an excellent, fun superhero movie with heart and emotional moments.
All the great things come in the form of the Batmen and Miller’s Barry every time he shares the screen with Verdú and Livingston playing his parents because it plays on the emotional thread for many boys and men who would do anything to protect their mums. I would do the same thing in a similar situation, whatever the consequences.
As a final appearance as Bruce Wayne, Affleck is terrific as he has always been when he puts on the cowl and it was no different here. It had to be the chase scene through Gotham, that new DC Chief James Gunn knew director Muschietti was the ideal filmmaker to helm the upcoming The Brave and The Bold.
I also liked that during the chase scene, it reveals that Carmine Falcone’s son did the heist. While it wasn’t easy to hear during the first viewing, it’s a nice little easter egg embedded in the scene, with the robbery committed by Alberto Falcone, an essential character in The Long Halloween graphic novel.
As for the return of Keaton’s Batman, it was another great way to use the character and it was awesome to see he still has it. Moreover, he gives the best description of the multiverse theory in either DC or Marvel that has used this plot point.
Also, this old man bat kicks some arse and I was grinning like a Cheshire cat during his fight scene in Russia.
Miller, away from his personal life of being a colossal knob, is a good actor and handles comedy really well, especially the physical stuff. I have enjoyed his version of Flash and as a final outing in the role, he does pretty much everything he could as the character.
However, now in a new universe of DCU, it’s time to see someone new to take the reigns.
My negatives come in the form of the comedic gag right at the end, which is so unnecessary, as were the two iconic Keaton lines.
The other is the story. It’s good as a version of Flashpoint, and the conclusion is a tearjerker, but it’s different from the Flashpoint storyline that is massively popular. If you want to watch that, I highly recommend the animated film of the same name.
With all these said, the MVP of the whole film is Calle’s Supergirl, who I wish we got to see a lot more, particularly in the battle against Zod, because that anger was delivered brilliantly. I hope Gunn finds a way to bring her back into the DCU.
Does This Blu-ray Have Any Bonus Features?
Yes. It’s easily one of the best in a long time, as Warner Bros and Muschietti have rammed it full.
The Deleted Scenes, the featurettes (my favourites being the two Supergirl ones, Dark Flash, one focusing on Keaton’s Batman and the Bat Chase) and I always like a Making Of video.
Verdict
A fun, entertaining superhero movie that will bring you to tears with an emotional punch. A great bow out for Affleck and Keaton’s Batmen, with Miller doing a decent job in his final outing as the Scarlett Speedster. I just wish we got more Supergirl.
The Bear Cave 