The Flash Steelbook [4K Ultra HD] [2023] [Blu-ray] [Region Free]

This is not a 5 star movie.It's a 3 in my opinion with a 4 for entertainment, so it balances out at 3.5 let's say.But in Amazon terms, a 3.5, if that were the average, it would practically be unwatchable, or so would you view it before giving it a chance. So since I think this film is actually fun and worth watching I'm giving it a 5 on Amazon.As I said in the title, I was under the impression this movie was going to be somewhat awful, given the general perception of it based on others experiences before I experienced it for myself. But it's not awful. It's actually quite good. It's fun. The CGI isn't the shocker, movie crushing thing some have made it out to be.I think the star here is the great fan service. Keaton's batman especially. It illustrates that he could make a full standalone Batman film right now and with the right people making it, it would be brilliant. I'd argue that I'd have preferred this as a batman film to be honest, but thats personal preference. And it was nice to see Batfleck for what I assume is the last time in a film as well, even if he was only there for a small bit at the beginning. What a shame he never got his own standalone film. He deserved it.I think one criticism that does stand though is that they painted a picture as the story developed such that there were severe consequences for his actions (the Flash). They implied the tension etc. In the end, his power to mess up was able to clean up. And it wasn't really fulfilling in how they went about that. There was no 'victory' so to speak in this film.To give a mild spoiler, so don't read on if that bothers you, the basic frame of this whole film is a young superhero makes a big mess while trying to correct something in the past of emotional significance, and that mess spirals out of control and leaves Earth defensless against Zod. Zod who was supposed to be defeated by Superman. But where in Man of Steel Zod was a terrific villain with a lot of intensity, and the stakes felt high, the stakes absolutely didn't feel like that in this film and I think it's a huge missed opportunity to paint a picture of 'what could have been' had Superman not stopped him. A bit more doom and gloom. End of the world vibes. Really dig into the emotional impact that could have, and how the Flash reacts to that, especially given it was a consequence of his own actions. Etc etc.Unfortunately though, it all feels very paper thin in terms of how they did it. Zod was a cardboard villain this time around. And it instead heavily relies on you liking scenes where the heroes in the film do cool stuff. Cool Batman scenes. The Flash doing cool/sometimes funny stuff.It's entertaining though, as I said, and I'd watch it again. So if you take it for what it is, then it's good. It could have been a lot better. The potential was there. But that shouldn't distract from what is still an enjoyable, even if somewhat pointless, thanks to it's plot, superhero movie that's in no way the worst that's come out of the DC and Marvel universes.

The FlashCinema Release date: 14/06/2023Run time: 2 hours 25 minutesGenre: Comic book / ActionRating: 12ASummaryBarry Allen (The Flash) uses his super speed to change the past, but his attempt to save his family creates a world without superheroes, forcing him to race for his life in order to save the future.The (longer than usual) Pre-Amble NonsenseDirector Andy Muschietti (Mama, and both It and It: Chapter Two) brings back Ezra Miller (Fantastic Beasts) in the role of DC Comics fastest man alive - The Flash, following the characters brief appearances in Batman v Superman (2016), and Suicide Squad (2016), and the more substantial Flash role in Justice League (2017), and the infinitely superior Zack Snyder's Justice League (2021).Over the last couple of years Miller has been caught up in controversy following arrests and erratic behaviour which potentially threatened the release of The Flash, with rumours swirling online it would go straight to streaming. They have since stayed out of trouble stating they are seeking treatment for “complex mental health issues” following “a time of intense crisis”. It is expected Miller will not be doing much publicity for the movie, and I would not be surprised if a new Barry Allen / Flash is announced in the very near future.There have been a number of attempts to get a Flash movie made over the years. From the late 1980’s onwards multiple directors and writers have been attached to the project. I’d go into it, but this is already a long pre-amble.As part of the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) a Flash movie starring Miller was announced almost 10 years ago! At one point it was going to be a buddy-movie with Miller’s Flash and Ray Fisher’s Cyborg, until Warner Bros decided to switch direction with their DC movies.This film is influenced by the famous comic book storyline Flashpoint. The comic version had Flash travel back in time to save his mother, but it resulted in major changes to his present, including a war between Wonder Woman's Amazons and Aquaman's Atlanteans that decimated half of Europe, and with Thomas Wayne (Bruce’s father) becoming the Batman after Bruce is killed rather than his parents in that dark Gotham alleyway.There has already been an animated version (Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox) and a loose live action TV version (with the CW “Arrowverse” shows Arrow, Flash and Legends of Tomorrow), in which Ezra Miller appeared in a brief but fun cameo.Muschietti has said that his film would adapt some elements of the Flashpoint comic but would be telling a different story. His new take on Flashpoint is set to feature different versions of Batman, with Michael Keaton (1989’s Batman) and Ben Affleck (2016’s BvS) both returning to the role of Bruce Wayne/Batman, with Keaton’s role said to be quite substantial.New DC supremo James Gunn confirmed that The Flash would reset the continuity of the new DC Comics film Universe (DCU) and, alongside Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (scheduled for this December), would lead into the DCU's first film Superman: Legacy expected in July 2025.There’s been a lot of hype about this Flash movie, with many within DC claiming it’s one of the best superhero movies ever and Tom Cruise seemingly giving it a ringing endorsement. Warner Bros. even took the unusual step of giving this a preview screening at CinemaCon (the largest gathering of movie theatre owners from around the world) a full two months before its release date, showing how confident they are. That confidence was rewarded with many glowing endorsements from early reviewers.Those reviews have begun to cool down in their hype now that the review embargo has lifted, with many saying it’s a bit messy but fun, so it’ll be interesting to see how close this ends up being to the “Greatest Comic Book Movie Ever” hype from earlier.The Non-Spoiler ReviewWhile I don’t think this will be in the “Greatest Comic Book movie Ever” discussions, it’s a really fun time at the movies. It’s a really good and very funny comic book movie. One of the biggest complaints about the DCEU films is that they have lacked humour, especially when compared to the lighter Marvel movies. That cannot be levelled at this film. I laughed a lot during this.Is it the best DCEU movie though? Very possibly, but that’s maybe damning with faint praise, depending on your opinion of previous DCEU movies (which includes Batman V Superman, Suicide Squad, Birds of Prey, and Justice League).Ezra Miller is really good as both Barry Allen’s (the super-powered one who has accidentally arrived back in time while trying to save his mother and a younger pre-super-powers Barry Allen). As the central character(s) Miller holds the movie well, giving it (a lot of) humour but emotional depth as well. I found some scenes to be very emotional and it tugged on the old heart strings a bit towards the end. If this is Millers last time as Flash, they’ve gone out on a high.Keaton, of course, is great as an older Batman/Bruce Wayne, though I do think the trailers have shown too much of the Batman stuff. I didn’t know much about Sasha Calle (US TV’s The Young and the Restless), but she’s terrific in her very small role as Supergirl/Kara Zor-El, to the extent I’d really like to see her again in another movie. Michael Shannon is back as General Zod but it’s a small role and he’s nothing more than a Boss Level big bad for the heroes to fight. Affleck is also back as Bruce Wayne/Batman and again his role is small, but it’s a fun action sequence.At 2 hours and 25 minutes this film zips along at a really good pace. Muschietti does a tremendous job with his film, and it’s no surprise he is being talked about as a potential director of the in-development The Brave and the Bold for the new DCU franchise.My only real criticism of the film is that some of the CG is not great. Some of it is good, and for the scenes where there are two Barry’s I thought it worked brilliantly, but some of the action set pieces have some ropey stuff.There’s been some criticism of fan-service levelled at the movie, and to an extent I can see why, but I really enjoyed them all. Though I admit I am a sucker for DC movies and all things comic book-y.There is a post-credit scene, but you could easily give it a miss and you wouldn’t really be missing out on much. It’s just a daft (but fun) short piece that doesn’t add anything to the film, or the larger DC universe.The Verdict8/10 – Entertaining and funny comic book flick with genuine heart. Recommended, especially if you enjoy your comic book movies.