Warner Bros. Pictures, DC Studios, Double Dream and The Disco Factory’s The Flash (dubbed from the Hollywood film of the same name; UA) is a superhero film.
Barry Allen/The Flash (Ezra Miller) visits his childhood home after helping Bruce Wayne/Batman (Michael Keaton) and Diana Prince/Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot) in a mission. There, he gets flashbacks of his parents, Nora (Maribel Verdú) and Henry (Ron Livingston) while Nora was still alive. After her death, Henry was accused of murdering her and is spending time in prison. Overcome by his emotions, Barry accidentally travels back in time so that he can prevent his mother’s death.
Berry ends up in an alternate 2013 when he tries to come back to the present day. His mother is still alive. He finds his past self and realises, he is in the day he gets his powers. Barry helps give 2013-Barry his powers but loses his own. Suddenly, the two Barrys notice a broadcast by General Zod (Michael Shannon) who is all set to invade Earth.
It now falls upon the Barrys to save Earth but for that, they need to assemble the Justice League. What happens thereafter and how the Barrys, aided by other superheroes, save Earth form the crux of the matter.
John Francis Daley, Jonathan Goldstein and Joby Harold have written an interesting story which keeps moving at a fast pace. Christina Hodson’s screenplay is quite entertaining. Having said that, it must be added that the entertainment quotient is lower for the Hindi film-going audience than the English film-going audience. Also, the Hindi film-going viewers may not understand the concept of different universes and different time lines as well as the English movie-goers. In that sense, the drama gets confusing, at places.
Ezra Miller shines as Barry Allen/The Flash and 2013-Barry. Sasha Calle is lovely in the role of Kara Zor-El/Supergirl, the powerful Kryptonian. Michael Shannon makes an excellent impact as General Zod. Michael Keaton is endearing as Bruce Wayne/Batman. Ron Livingston makes a mark as Henry Allen. Maribel Verdú leaves a fine impression as Nora Allen. Kersey Clemons is adequate as journalist Iris West. Antje Traue is alright as Faora-Ul , General Zod’s second-in-command. Ben Affleck (as Bruce Wayne/Batman), Jeremy Irons (as Alfred Pennyworth), Temuera Morrison (as Thomas Curry), Gal Gadot (as Diana Prince/Wonder Woman), Jason Momoa (as Arthur Curry/Aquaman), Saoirse-Monica Jackson and Rudy Mancuso (as Barry’s co-workers Patty Spivot and Albert Desmond respectively), Nicolas Cage (in a cameo appearance as an alternate version of Kal-El/Clark Kent/Superman), George Clooney (as Bruce Wayne/Batman) and Ian Loh (as young Barry) lend admirable support and most of them also add tremendous star value.
Andy Muschietti’s direction is splendid. Benjamin Wallfisch’s background music is of a high standard. Henry Braham’s cinematography is excellent. Editing (Jason Ballantine and Paul Machliss) is sharp.
On the whole, The Flash is quite confusing for the Hindi film audience and will, therefore, not score too well. But the original English version will fare better.
Released on 15-6-’23 at Metro Inox (2 shows; in daily 1 show from 16-6-’23) and other cinemas of Bombay by Warner Bros. Pictures (India) Pvt. Ltd. Publicity & opening: dull. …….Also released all over. Opening was weak everywhere.