REVIEW: THE FLASH

4/5

Flashpoint.

144 Mins. Starring: Ezra Miller, Sasha Calle, Michael Shannon, Ron Livingston, Maribel Verdú, Kiersey Clemons, Antje Traue, Ben Affleck & Michael Keaton. Director: Andy Muschietti. In: Theatres. 

Let's get nuts! Ever since we swung 'Into The Spider-Verse', and pointed at an iconic meme that made for more spiders than you accidentally eat at night (I'm sorry), we've entered a 'Multiverse Of Madness'. And it really has been everything, everywhere, all at once between Marvel and DC like James Gunn. The only thing we need right now is the ultimate comic crossover between the Stallone and Schwarzenegger like rivals. This weekend, at the same time we go 'Across The Spider-Verse' for the stunning sequel to the Miles Morales awesome animated Sony 'Spider-Man' movie, we finally have 'The Flash' film from DC. After years of delays and pushbacks over the star playing its central character. But based on the 'Flashpoint' comics, it's the flash-dance with a certain caped crusader that will get cynics in cinemas. 

Need some help? Nothing can excuse what Ezra Miller has been accused of over the last feel years. It's more than a few misdemeanours and minor offences. It's very troubling for the once burgeoning star. They are talented for sure and take this picture to fast and furious, speed racing heights. Especially as they are also doing double-duty in this 'Back To The Future' like time warp. Again, just like we've said about 'Creed III' and Jonathan Majors, a whole film and host of talent shouldn't suffer because of the actions of one. But accountability needs to be taken too, with all that great power (even if that's the moral message of the "other" superhero movie this week). Keeping up with this film is your choice. Take a stand if you want to for the right way, not to just virtue signal for likes. But don't shame others who choose to watch the film. They are not the ones under accusation here. Besides, if we boycotted everything, there'd be nothing left to see. Cinemas would resemble corona times. Now, yes, especially in a superhero film like this, it's important how we pick and choose what our kids see and the role models they become. But remember, it's the hero on screen the kids dress-up as. Not the star of the show they don't know. Miller is right on time in this movie. We just hope they get the help they need off-screen. 

Justice for all comes in the form of a movie that is truly in a league of its own. A coral of classic cameos for your vivid viewfinder that we can't wait for you to see for yourselves and talk about in hushed tones when you've cleared the cinema. Unlike Homer Simpson after watching 'The Empire Strikes Back'. Like Seymour, we do know the principals thanks to promotional posters, but if you're like my sister's fiancée (also called Tim, my man) and you don't have social media (how are you reading this?), look away now (but, the picture?). Because it really is a joy to experience things for the first time, like when Tim saw 'No Way Home' with absolutely no clue to what was going to happen like my girlfriend (I'm Hulk with envy). Back in the day, they even revealed the 'Judgement Day' Terminator twist in the trailer, but this was before the time we can all see cinematic commercials on our timelines. If you're watching this film for the first time, you're teased right until the tarpaulin is tugged from your eyes. 

Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice. Wrong movie, but seeing the great Michael Keaton return as Batman is a brooding thing of beauty. Especially when he spins the chamber around the iconic Batplane from Tim Burton's 1989 Gotham gothic classic. More than making up for the fact that his iconic Batmobile stays in the cave like Alfred's memory. He is Batman and the suit still fits. Long after the unexpected virtue of 'Birdman' and another feathered souped up star in The Vulture's 'Homecoming' with your friendly, neighbourhood Tom Holland. It's not just Keaton though in this multiplicity, as Ben Affleck is back as the bat too and our best Bruce Wayne, worn and weary with wise words for our hero who just wants to save his parents from those who dance in the pale moonlight. An outstanding, operatic, opening amazing action scene stirs those who want the Synderverse restored in Gunn's era. Just be glad we got the 'Justice League' cut that really was above the rest. 

Superman lives with Supergirl though and a bullet and hater proof performance from 'The Young and The Restless' star Sasha Calle, as we're not in Kansas any more, Toto. Give this hero her own show on the CW, WB. And because Barry is causing more trouble than a Bill Hader HBO show, all sorts of butterflies are being stepped on to mass effect. Michael Shannon's Zod from 'Man Of Steel' makes a welcome return with the scene stealing Antje Traue by his side, straight out of the Phantom Zone. Even Barry's dad looks Fresh Prince difference. 'Watchmen's' Manhattan, Billy Crudup put in some small, but significant performances previously behind the prison plexiglass as Henry Allen. But now after scheduling conflicts with the rise of 'The Morning Show', 'Band Of Brothers' and 'Boardwalk Empire' star Ron Livingston makes the role his own. 

Yet for all the big stars and the love of Kiersey Clemons garnering your journalist interest, it's the moving mothering Spanish silent 'Snow White' star Maribel Verdú who strikes the strongest and deepest chord, dancing in the kitchen. This is no flash in the pan. After Aquaman sank the family in 'Fast X', 'The Flash' is running away with the summer blockbuster season. The only film that could make fun and sense of all the clusterf### of casting DC has become. And it all works. Even a maverick like 'Top Gun' Tom Cruise (if only he was Iron Man in 'Doctor Strange's' multiverse love) called 'IT' director Andy Muschietti to congratulate him on his powerhouse popcorn movie...and that's the competition next month. They thought making 'The Flash' clear the finish line was a mission impossible. How's this for a reckoning? Dead on. TIM DAVID HARVEY. 

Further Filming: 'Batman (1989)', 'Zack Snyder's Justice League', 'Spider-Man: No Way Home'.