The Flash 4K Ultra HD Review

THE MOVIE — 3½/5

Plot Synopsis: Worlds collide when the Flash (EZRA MILLER) uses his superpowers to travel back in time to change the events of the past. However, when his attempt to save his family inadvertently alters the future, he becomes trapped in a reality in which General Zod (MICHAEL SHANNON) has returned, threatening annihilation. With no other superheroes to turn to, the Flash looks to coax a very different Batman (MICHAEL KEATON) out of retirement and rescue an imprisoned Kryptonian (SASHA CALLE) — albeit not the one he’s looking for.

Review: The Flash is a movie that fits right into the state of the DCEU, in that it has its moments for sure, but feels just a bit off and a mile from greatness. For me, while I have enjoyed many of the films in the now expiring universe (to be replaced with James Gunn’s DCU), with finding Man of Steel, Batman v Superman: Ultimate Edition, Wonder Woman and Zack Snyder’s Justice League to be great films (the theatrical versions of the last two not so much), while others ranging from entertaining but forgettable (Aquaman, Shazam, Shazam: Fury of the Gods, The Sucide Squad), flawed and average (Black Adam, Suicide Squad, Wonder Woman 1984), to downright bad (Birds of Prey: And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn).

It would seem The Flash falls into the entertaining but forgettable category. And to be fair, might’ve fallen to average territory if not for the good old memberberries with the inclusion of Michael Keaton’s Batman, his 1989 movie still entrenched in my mind seeing it in theaters while vacation with my parents on the Oregon coast at 8 years old, seeing him here again, and in fine form even after three decades. Keaton, for what he’s given is tremendous and gave me so much joy even though it’ll be his one and only appearance with any shot of a Batman Beyond movie going away.

As for Ezra Miller, he is the poster boy of the old separating the artist from the art and I can’t blame anyone who can’t since he is by all measure a creep and downright monster of a human being. I did manage to separate him and doing so, did make the movie at least entertaining. There is quite a bit of humor in the material and Miller does well in that arena with the help of director Andy Muschietti who made in-rows with the studio and the success of the two IT movies (neither of which I terribly liked).

The Flash also introduces Sascha Calle as Kara Zor-El as Supergirl and, like Keaton’s Batman, this will be her one and only appearance in the DCEU in where she initially was going to be given her own feature film, gone by the wayside. In terms of Calle, I thought she was alright as the Girl of Steel and she has a few nice scenes but doesn’t get a whole lot of development to really care about her (unlike Keaton).

The film also re-introduces Michael Shannon returning as General Zod with the same motivations to teraform Earth into a new Krypton but this time, in this alternate universe, in which darkly Kal-El was killed by Zod (I guess as a child, damn), the codex was within Kara Zor-El instead. Shannon was fine as Zod once again but unexceptional, though still nice seeing him anyway.

The rest of the cast are pretty much cameo like appearances with Ben Affleck as Bruce Wayne/Batman and Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman, both their last bows in their iconic roles and there are other small parts with the likes of Nicolas Cage as a long-haired Superman (fighting a giant spider), poorly CGI’d versions of Christopher Reeve and Helen Slater and then last George Clooney as I can only think they approached Christian Bale who declined, but still fun seeing an actor who has been a great sport and taking the mockery in being in one of the worst superhero movies ever made.

In the end, The Flash won’t amount to much with the dying DCEU but taken as a stand-alone film, seeing various characters one last time and having a solid emotional core to the story makes this at least worthy of a rental, so long as you can get past the personal troubles of its lead.

SPECIAL FEATURES – 4/5

This release comes with a semi-glossy slip cover and a redemption code for the Digital HD copy. There is only the 4K UHD disc, no Blu-ray was included.

Making The Flash: World’s Collide (36:55) — This is a featurette with interviews with cast and crew (including Andy Muschietti, Ezra Miller, Jeremy Irons) and includes behind-the-scenes footage ranging from set and costume designs.

Flashpoint: Introducing the DC Multiverse (6:21) — Short featurette explaining the multiverse and its origins in DC.

Let’s Get Nuts: Batman Returns, Again (8:51) is on the, well, return of Michael Keaton in his iconic role.

The Bat Chase (6:50) deconstructs the early action sequence in the movie with Ben Affleck’s Batman chasing down robbers.

Saving Supergirl (6:49) looks at the set design of where she was being held.

Battling Zod (5:36) is on the fight scenes with Michael Shannon’s General Zod and his army.

Fighting Dark Flash (7:14) breaks down the finale and the costume design for the character.

The Flash: The Saga of the Scarlet Speedster (38:26) is a featurette on the history behind the character. This is also available on “The Flash” TV series.

Supergirl: The Last Daughter of Krypton (16:00) showcases the character from the TV show to this incarnation in The Flash. Includes interviews with the various actresses who donned the suit.

Deleted Scenes (14:13) — There were 10 scenes either cut or cut down, probably to keep the film tighter as none really help in terms of character development.

Last we get a Trailer and episodes for The Flash: Escape the Midnight Circus podcast.

VIDEO – 4¾/5, AUDIO – 5/5

Warner Bros. releases The Flash onto 4K Ultra HD where it’s presented with a 1.90 widescreen aspect ratio and a 2160p high-definition transfer. For the most part, this is a great looking picture with a wide array of colors that pop off the screen from the lighter elements to the darker scenes both in design and tone. Detail also was sharp and well defined and there weren’t any apparent signs of artifacting or aliasing.

The movie comes equipped with a strong and well rounded Dolby Atmos track, coming to life during the various action-packed scenes while still providing crisp and clear dialogue during the quieter ones. The LFE kicks on with good depth though it’s also not terribly aggressive at the same time.

OVERALL — 4/5

Overall, The Flash is an entertaining if not also flawed movie that is probably is one of the better offerings from DC in a while, though maybe that’s faint praise. I did like the humor and of course seeing Michael Keaton back again was the highlight.