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After years of controversy and debates, The Flash movie is finally coming this Friday. Before it was made widely available to critics, celebrities and other lucky first viewers began to hype the film. Jaden Smith and Tom Cruise gave the DC Comics film a thumbs up. Some even claimed that it is one of the best superhero movies ever made, as seen below. This influenced a sea of fans who became eager to see the adventure of the fastest man alive. However, critics have more recently shot down some of this hype with middling reviews.
this is truly one of the best superhero movies ever. believe the hype. oh my god. #TheFlash
— Matt Ramos (@therealsupes) April 26, 2023
The Flash 2023 Plot Summary
The Flash movie takes fans on a time travel with the superhero who revisits his past. Barry Allen attempts to go back in time and save his mother from being killed. But this does not happen without consequence. Barry accidentally distorts the future which leaves him trapped in an existence with General Zod dominating the world.
But all hope is not lost as other superheroes are enlisted by Barry to fight back. First, there is Michael Keaton’s Batman, who is pulled out of retirement. Barry also liberates a captured Kryptonian from a Siberian jail – Supergirl, played by Sasha Calle.
What Critics Are Saying About The Flash
While some critics have lauded the movie, many others disagreed with the hyped-up initial reactions of early viewers. The Flash currently stands at a 72% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and 61% on Metacritic.
Some reasons for low and middling reviews include the fact that Andy Muschietti’s directing made Barry Allen an anxious and very clumsy young man. This character’s traits are later shared by the second Barry when they meet following the time travel.
Also, in a world of Gen Zs who are well acquainted with advanced technology, The Flash movie didn’t use top-of-the-line CGI. Whenever Barry gears up to super speed, it is expected that his environment is in slow motion. However, in the film, CGI doubles are hard to dismiss, and that makes the deception of real-life people on the screen all the more glaring.
One of the epic battle scenes is nearly appalling to watch as it does little to convince fans that it is not animated. At the same time, the Barrys, Batman, and Supergirl attempting to defeat General Zod has been seen as an unnecessary conflict of interest citing a lack of seriousness. This starts when the Barrys begin arguing about whether it would be best to travel to a different multiverse.
Critics Believe The Flash Movie Lacks Depth
Having a host of mostly unexpected superheroes helps, but it is not enough. There was little depth to the story and critics believe the plot was merely a recycling of ideas. Additionally, the multiverse concept is overused. The storyline follows Barry entering a different time and expectedly getting backup from other Barrys. These scenes are not mind-blowing; instead, they show that there is nothing really original about it.
Rather than bask in other twists and turns in new directions, The Flash movie settles deeply into the time travel context. But even with such a cliche narrative, the producers could have captured viewers by exploring the characters, and that does not happen with Barry.
Critics and fans maintain that The Flash banked on the re-introduction of OG stars from previous DC films. Though having Michael Shannon as General Zod and Keaton as Batman adds a charming effect, it wears thin following the unforgivable use of poor CGI, a predictable plot line, and a distractingly controversial lead actor.