It’s been a long road to the big screen for the Flash standalone film. But while he still has another month to wait to see it, CinemaCon attendees were treated to one of the first screenings of the film on Tuesday night. And, well, there were some extremely positive responses
One such positive response came from none other than GameSpot Senior Editor Chris Hayner, who stated that “Keaton delivers everything you want” and that the film actually “meets and exceeds expectations.”
I don’t know what to say other than #The flash delivered more than I could have hoped for. The acting is beyond great. Keaton offers everything he wants. Is Supergirl my new favorite superhero? I’m really surprised that this movie delivers and exceeds the hype. I never expected that. pic.twitter.com/PcmpJ2juZ6
—Chris E. Hayner (@ChrisHayner) April 26, 2023
Fandom’s managing editor Eric Goldman was equally happy to walk out of the screening, specifically praising its originality. Goldman said The Flash actually had great moments that he “hadn’t seen in a million other superhero movies” before.
Yeah, #The flash it’s legit great! It delivers some remarkably exciting, funny, and creative moments that I felt I hadn’t seen in a million other superhero movies. It made me smile from the Warner Bros. logo at the top and I even searched for stuff inspired by movies I didn’t like. pic.twitter.com/B5vFyFBBcl
—Eric Goldman (@TheEricGoldman) April 26, 2023
Meanwhile, Erik Davis of Fandango and Rotten Tomatoes called The Flash “a landmark” that brought him “to tears by the end.” And Umberto Gonzalez of Heroic Hollywood declared it the “GREATEST DC MOVIE of the last 30 years” that wasn’t made by Christopher Nolan and said it “breaks incredible new ground.”
DC #The flash it’s TREMENDOUS! Forget DC, it’s hands down one of the best superhero movies ever made. An all time timer. Inventive storytelling, FANTASTIC action sequences, great cast. SO MANY nerdy details. I’m crying at the end. Everything you want from a superhero movie and more pic.twitter.com/xYSn0zuXMm
—Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) April 26, 2023
CREATE THE HYPE! Aside from Christopher Nolan’s movies, #TheFlashMovie is the BEST DC movie of the last 30 years that belongs in the same conversation as SUPERMAN 78 and BATMAN 89. The movie breaks incredible new ground in superhero cinema and honors the DC tradition of years gone by. #The flash pic.twitter.com/zGkhpfjlsl
— Umberto González (@elmayimbe) April 26, 2023
And there were many more reactions to that effect from other members of the film press.
#The flash it’s pretty good, and now it makes sense to me why DC didn’t shelve this one. Michael Keaton is… the chef’s kiss. I didn’t realize how much I needed Keaton’s Batman in my life again. Some really emotional moments here. Sasha Calle is amazing, I want to see more of her! pic.twitter.com/2DYhSKMfyI
— Jenna Busch (@JennaBusch) April 26, 2023
#The flash it’s fantastic. I know Ezra Miller has made a lot of mistakes, but they are so good in this movie. I loved Keaton, the action, the humor and the emotion. Andy Muschietti has created something special. Thumbs up.
WB did not show the post-credits scenes. pic.twitter.com/J8KsdrKVwz—Steven Weintraub (@colliderfrosty) April 26, 2023
#The flash it’s pretty cool, especially given how oversaturated we are with multiverse stories.
It’s a really smart and charming take on Flashpoint that effectively wields nostalgia rather than weaponizing it. Some genuinely delicious pieces too! pic.twitter.com/0GXZhW6vQi—Dan Casey (@DanCasey) April 26, 2023
But the response was not always totally enthusiastic. Veteran film reporter Jeff Sneider enjoyed the early parts, but thought he fell apart as it progressed.
THE FLASH: The first hour is pretty fantastic. Gives the perfect tone. Ezra is great. Heroic. Fun. Emotional. The last hour is MOSTLY terrible. Just a total mess that will leave you asking, “what the hell is going on?” Fanservice and the DC villain problem strikes again. Mixed bag in general.
—Jeff Sneider (@TheInSneider) April 26, 2023
The Flash sees Barry Allen (Ezra Miller) try to travel back in time to prevent the death of his mother when he was a child. He apparently makes it, but there were some pretty dire consequences: the Justice League he knew no longer exists, but the threats they fought against still exist.
The Flash arrives at a pivotal time for the DC Comics movie franchise in our world, where he has wandered aimlessly since the release of Joss Whedon’s Justice League in 2017. Late last year, James Gunn and Peter Safran took over DC Studios just as Black Adam was bombing theaters, and then last month the sequel to Shazam! bombarded even harder.
The Flash has always represented an opportunity to reboot the DC movieverse with its multiverse plot – create a way to introduce a new Batman or Superman to the DC movie franchise, for example. Though we’ll have to wait until the movie hits theaters on June 2 to find out exactly in what form Barry Allen will leave the DC universe.
CinemaCon brought us plenty of other updates on the upcoming slate of DC movies, complete with new looks. in blue beetle and in the Aquaman sequel–and a new final trailer for The Flashstart up.
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