Close Menu
  • Login
  • Support Us
  • Newsletter
  • News
  • Features
  • Interviews
  • Reviews
    • Video Games
      • Previews
      • PC
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X/S
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Xbox One
      • PS4
      • Tabletop
    • Film
    • TV
    • Anime
    • Comics
      • BOOM! Studios
      • Dark Horse Comics
      • DC Comics
      • IDW Publishing
      • Image Comics
      • Indie Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • Oni-Lion Forge
      • Valiant Comics
      • Vault Comics
  • Podcast
  • More
    • Event Coverage
    • BWT Recommends
    • RSS Feeds
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Support Us
But Why Tho?
RSS Facebook X (Twitter) YouTube
Trending:
  • Features
    Marvel's Spider-Man Secret Lair promotional image

    Get a Look At the Secret Lair x Marvel’s Spider-Man Superdrop

    09/08/2025
    Starseeker: Astroneer Expeditions gameplay still

    Starseeker: Astroneer Expeditions Is All About Adventure (with Friends)

    09/08/2025
    Chord in Persona 5 The Phantom X

    Now Is The Perfect Time To Jump Back In ‘Persona 5: The Phantom X’

    09/05/2025
    Cosmic Spider-Man card details

    [EXCLUSIVE PREVIEW] The Spider-Man Set Gets A 5-Color Legendary Spider

    09/02/2025
    Lee Corso from College Football GameDay in EA Sports games

    EA Sports Always Understood Lee Corso’s Legacy

    09/01/2025
  • Indie Games
  • K-Dramas
  • Netflix
  • Apple TV+
But Why Tho?
Home » Film » REVIEW: ‘The Flash’ is a Visually Spectacular Superhero Epic

REVIEW: ‘The Flash’ is a Visually Spectacular Superhero Epic

Swara SalihBy Swara Salih06/06/20234 Mins ReadUpdated:08/07/2023
The FLash (2023)
Share
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Reddit WhatsApp Email

The FLash (2023)

Barry Allen (Ezra Miller) has been the speedster superhero “The Flash” for several years now, working with the likes of Batman (Ben Affleck), Aquaman (Jason Momoa), and Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot) to protect the world. But with Barry still dealing with his trauma from seeing his mother murdered and his father unjustly incarcerated for it, and overall deep dissatisfaction with his life, will he make a terrible decision that has universe-changing ramifications for himself and everyone he loves? The Flash stars Ezra Miller, Michael Keaton, Sasha Calle, Michael Shannon, Kiersey Clemons, Maribel Verdú, Ron Livingston, and Ben Affleck. Andy Muschietti is the director, and Christina Hodson and Joby Harold are the writers. DC Studios, Double Dream, and The Disco Factory are the producers, and Warner Bros. Pictures is the distributor.

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

There has been fervent and wide speculation on what this movie will mean for transitioning the DC Expanded Universe (DCEU) into James Gunn’s new DC Universe (DCU). Many believe that with Barry’s infamous changing of the timeline, this change will occur. And while we do see a unique take on Flashpoint in this movie, Muschietti, Hodson, and Harold smartly keep the story character-focused. Barry undergoes a personal journey of self-realization in more ways than one. While acknowledging the actor’s various crimes and abuses, their performance as Allen in this film deserves commendation.

Miller plays effortlessly through the motions of Barry’s stresses and emotional wrangling on his journey, making for one of the best lead superhero performances in years. And indeed, the film works best when it marinates in character beats, such as in building the (all too brief) relationship between Barry and Iris West (Kiersey Clemons), rather than the scenes of heavy exposition we get towards the start. Ranging from painfully awkward to endearingly heartfelt with their co-stars, Miller makes a compelling lead performance that keeps Barry at the center. This is especially impressive with everything else going on, and when the film occasionally buckles under its heavy plot.

Although this is titled “The Flash,” the marketing features Michael Keaton’s Batman/Bruce Wayne and Sasha Calle’s Supergirl/Kara Zor-El prominently as well, and neither disappoints. We get so much of Old Man Batman in this film that fans of the original Burton films will be grinning ear to ear when they see Keaton deliver his iconic lines and feats with Danny Elfman’s classic score backing him up. This is a Bruce who isn’t sure whether he has made the difference he needs to, but rises to the call to action once again. While we don’t get as much of Calle’s Kara, she delivers a performance of quiet strength and emotional upheaval, both delivering in the more dramatic and lighter moments that fans of Supergirl love. It makes her all the more suited to be the Supergirl who will star in the announced Woman of Tomorrow film.

The Flash - But Why Tho

While some may be looking forward to the return of Michael Shannon as Zod, this antagonist is more of an afterthought. But in some ways, this works to the film’s benefit, as the real villain is far more compelling. Hodson and Harold’s script is a well-paced crescendo that shines when character choices drive the plot, rather than dealing with heavy exposition that the film occasionally stumbles into. But on the whole, it’s a thrilling story to engross yourself in.

Besides their performances, virtually all of the characters look spectacular in this visually engrossing film. Muschietti has an amazing eye for visuals, making brilliant use of color and lighting. There are so many psychedelic shots of universe-bending antics and enthralling visuals of Barry’s speed at work. The Flash offers a unique take on time travel and multiverses, backed up by the mind-bending visuals that Muschietti and his team have come up with. The cinematography is also spectacular, with various beautiful shots and keen use of angles and movement, particularly in the thrilling fight scenes for Batman.

The Flash is a visually spectacular superhero and sci-fi drama that works best when it keeps its characters at the forefront. While it may not change the superhero film game quite as much as people expect, it does boast some of the most daring visuals the genre has ever done. With stellar direction from Muschietti, a mostly solid script from Hodson and Harold, great performances across the board, and spectacular cinematography and CGI, it makes for a great time at the theaters. With this excellent first outing, I hope we get to see more from Andy Muschietti in the superhero space

The Flash (2023) is in theaters June 16, 2023, you can buy your tickets with our Fandango affiliate link.

The Flash
  • 8.5/10
    Rating - 8.5/10
8.5/10

TL;DR

The Flash is a visually spectacular superhero and sci-fi drama that works best when it keeps its characters at the forefront. While it may not change the superhero film game quite as much as people expect, it does boast some of the most daring visuals the genre has ever done.

  • Get Your Tickets Now

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Email
Previous ArticleEvery Demon Slayer Hashira Ranked
Next Article REVIEW: ‘Decarnation’ Offers a Stellar Story Marred by Gameplay (Switch)
Swara Salih

Swara is a data scientist and a co-host of The Middle Geeks. He loves talking about politics, animals, nature, and all things Star Trek, DC, Avatar: The Last Airbender/The Legend of Korra, and Steven Universe.

Related Posts

The Long Walk (2025) film review promotional image
9.5

REVIEW: ‘The Long Walk’ Is The Most Heartfelt And Heartbreaking Stephen King Adaptation

09/11/2025
Natasha O’Keeffe in Whitetail
6.5

TIFF 2025: ‘Whitetail’ Is An Intimate View Of A Woman Stuck In Time

09/10/2025
Love Brooklyn
6.0

REVIEW: ‘Love, Brooklyn’ Rests on Pretty

09/10/2025
Park Jeong-min in The Ugly
7.0

TIFF 2025: ‘The Ugly’ Is A Harsh Exercise In Self-Reflection

09/09/2025
No Other Choice
9.0

TIFF 2025: ‘No Other Choice’ Delivers a Bleak Vision of Capitalism

09/09/2025
Molly Lewis in Whistle
8.0

TIFF 2025: ‘Whistle’ Is A Breath Of Fresh Air

09/07/2025

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here
TRENDING POSTS
The Long Walk (2025) film review promotional image
9.5
Film

REVIEW: ‘The Long Walk’ Is The Most Heartfelt And Heartbreaking Stephen King Adaptation

By Kate Sánchez09/11/2025Updated:09/11/2025

The Long Walk is a brutal watch. Equally heartfelt and heartbreaking, it’s one of the best adaptations of Stephen King’s work.

Black Women Anime — But Why Tho (9) BWT Recommends

10 Black Women in Anime That Made Me Feel Seen

By LaNeysha Campbell11/11/2023Updated:12/03/2024

Black women are some of anime’s most iconic characters, and that has a big impact on Black anime fans. Here are some of our favorites.

EA Sports FC Icons Match promotional image from Nexon News

2025 Icons Match Returns With Football Legends Bridging The Pitch And Video Games

By Kate Sánchez09/03/2025Updated:09/03/2025

NEXON has announced the return of the ‘2025 Icons Match,’ a live event that brings a full roster of legendary players to the pitch.

Gojo Jujutsu Kaisen - But Why Tho (2) Features

Everything To Know About Satoru Gojo

By Kate Sánchez09/07/2023Updated:02/16/2025

Satoru Gojo is the heart of Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 — now, heading into Cour 2, here is everything you need to know about the character.

But Why Tho?
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest RSS YouTube Twitch
  • CONTACT US
  • ABOUT US
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
  • Review Score Guide
Sometimes we include links to online retail stores. If you click on one and make a purchase we may receive a small contribution.
Written Content is Copyright © 2025 But Why Tho? A Geek Community

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

But Why Tho Logo

Support Us!

We're able to keep making content thanks to readers like YOU!
Support independent media today with
Click Here