The Flash: Going Way Way Back

Worlds collide in “The Flash” when Barry uses his superpowers to travel back in time in order to change the events of the past. But when his attempt to save his family inadvertently alters the future, Barry becomes trapped in a reality in which General Zod has returned, threatening annihilation, and there are no Super Heroes to turn to. That is, unless Barry can coax a very different Batman out of retirement and rescue an imprisoned Kryptonian… albeit not the one he’s looking for. Ultimately, to save the world that he is in and return to the future that he knows, Barry’s only hope is to race for his life. But will making the ultimate sacrifice be enough to reset the universe?

Review:

The best thing about The Flash is how it both constructs and reconstructs the DC Superhero origin story which intimately ties their fate and powers with either the death of both or one parent. The whole plot of The Flash, which involves constant time jumping back to those tragic moments, proves that this is the one thing that can never ever change in the DC Universe. Disney, and by association Marvel, has their absent mother or father- DC needs dead parents for any story to exist.

Technically, this is a trippier more somber version of Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure with cameos from every cinematic real or imagined Batman (Adam West, Michael Keaton, George Clooney, Ben Affleck) and Superman (Steve Reeves, Christopher Reeves, Nic Cage but no Brandon Routh or Henry Cavil). Aquaman, Wonder Woman and Super Girl, also show up, making it an informal Justice League reboot. Adding to the fun is Ezra Miller playing alternate past and future versions of himself: somber and dumb, mature and immature. Getting two Flashes is better than one in the general meta-ness of things. It ensures in the recreation that every iteration will sieve through.

The Flash is also a slightly poetic film in spots, especially in how it fools around with the lighting bolt imagery that is the essence of the Flash’s costume. Movies that flashed lightning in them, from Frankenstein to Back to the Future, get cheerful and cheeky homages.