The long-awaited entry to the DC Extended Universe (DCEU), The Flash, finally hit the screens and, while it wasn’t quite the bolt of lightning that some had hoped for, it was not without its sparks of brilliance. Bursting with dizzying speed, kinetic energy, and a slew of Easter eggs for comic fans, The Flash left a mark, but not a completely spotless one. It was indeed an interesting race to the finish line for this era of the DCEU, before the baton is passed on to James Gunn.

From the onset, The Flash exhibits an impressive understanding of the core character – Barry Allen, played by Ezra Miller. The characterization of Flash resonates with the fans’ familiarity of the speedster, encapsulating his humor, intelligence, and that earnest sense of hope. The film’s storytelling is a blend of fast-paced action, drama, and time-travel elements that create a worthwhile narrative. However, it doesn’t escape a few tropes that make it appear formulaic at times, diluting the potential for an all-round enjoyable superhero flick.

An aspect that takes away from the fluidity of the film is the CGI work. The Flash’s power set, revolving around super-speed and time manipulation, requires top-tier special effects, and unfortunately, the film stumbles here. Although many sequences are handled deftly and offer a stunning spectacle of speed and color, there are moments where the CGI feels oddly out of place and noticeably artificial. The uncanny valley effect is evident, especially in high-speed scenes, which can potentially pull the audience out of the immersive experience. Not trying to bash on the CGI of this movie in particular, it just seems that more blockbusters are following this trend of unpolished CGI.

Despite these bumps, The Flash shines in its small yet impactful moments, brimming with Easter eggs. Die-hard DC fans will find an abundance of nods to the broader universe, encompassing multiple timelines and different dimensions. These are meticulously sprinkled throughout the movie and are bound to incite joy and satisfaction for eagle-eyed fans. From references to Flashpoint to nods towards the Justice League, this film gives viewers plenty to dissect and discuss.

The Flash holds significant importance as it marks one of the last entries in the DCEU (Aquaman 2 will be the last) before the reins are handed over to James Gunn. Gunn’s incoming influence and creative style are anticipated to breathe new life into the franchise. While The Flash does not perfectly pass the baton, it serves as an interesting close to this chapter of the DCEU, allowing the upcoming changes to be approached with a sense of intrigue and hope.

In conclusion, The Flash might not be the perfect superhero movie or the best DCEU offering, but it still manages to capture the essence of its titular character and offers plenty of enjoyable moments for the fans. It’s a mixed bag of high-speed excitement and questionable CGI. But with its abundance of Easter eggs and crucial positioning within the DCEU timeline, The Flash is still a race worth running for the DC fans and followers of the superhero genre. Let’s hope that James Gunn’s takeover will steer the DC cinematic universe to even more thrilling and cinematically satisfying destinations. Overall, I had a fun time watching this DC film. One of the better ones we have received in recent years. This movie is Miko approved, 7.5/10.