After Warner Bros. Discovery held a screening at CinemaCon, The Flash movie reactions are here, offering insight into what can be expected from the next DC movie. It’s been almost 10 years since Ezra Miller was cast as the first big-screen iteration of Barry Allen and, after appearing in a handful of other DC movies, their solo superhero film is finally hitting theaters this summer. The highly anticipated flick not only features Miller’s The Flash, but brings together a cadre of other superheroes both new and old, including Michael Keaton’s Batman, Ben Affleck’s Batman and Sasha Calle’s Supergirl.
Earlier today, WBD released a new The Flash movie trailer, which featured previously unseen footage of Miller’s Barry Allen and Keaton’s Batman, along with other characters, like returning Man of Steel villain Zod (Michael Shannon). Then tonight, ahead of The Flash movie’s release date on June 16, WBD screened the film at CinemaCon where Screen Rant and other members of the press were in attendance. Now, here’s what those who’ve seen The Flash are saying about the DC movie and what their reactions reveal about what to expect.
1 The Flash Is “The Funniest DC Movie”
Screen Rant’s Rob Keyes credited The Flash movie’s humor, while also commenting on how it fits into the soon-to-be reset DC film franchise. DC Studios co-CEOs James Gunn and Peter Safran previously teased that The Flash would “reset” the DC universe and help pave the way for their quasi-reboot of the DCEU. Based on Keyes’ reaction, that seems to be the case. How exactly this reset is achieved remains to be seen, but likely has to do with the multiversal aspect of the film.
2 The Flash Is “Among The Best Superhero Films Ever Made”
Erik Davis from Fandango raved about The Flash movie, hyping up the storytelling, action and cast. The Flash has plenty of competition for the title of best superhero movie ever, but it appears director Andy Muschietti (IT) and screenplay writer Christina Hodson (Harley Quinn: Birds of Prey) have managed to deliver a film that appeals to comic book fans of all ages. Whether that means this DC film will see as much excitement among general moviegoers remains to be seen, but if Davis is correct, The Flash could be a major crowd-pleaser.
3 The Flash Movie Lives Up To The Hype
JoBlo.com editor-in-chief Chris Bumbray was one of a few critics to tout The Flash as one of the best superhero movies of all time, additionally noting it lives up to the hype. Leading up to its release, many within WBD – including Gunn and CEO David Zaslav – have hyped up The Flash. Even Tom Cruise, who requested a private screening after hearing early buzz for The Flash, reportedly said it’s “everything you want in a movie.” With so much hype around it, it’s truly a feat for The Flash to live up to it.
4 The Flash Movie Is Comparable To 1978’s Superman And 1989’s Batman
The Wrap’s Umberto Gonzalez had high praise for The Flash, likening it to classic superhero movies like Christopher Reeve’s Superman and Keaton’s Batman. Both those films are pillars of comic book movie history, which places The Flash in esteemed company. Unlike those movies, though, The Flash isn’t Miller’s first time playing Barry Allen, after appearing in Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice, Suicide Squad and Justice League – as well as Zack Snyder’s Justice League. All that’s to say, Miller has had time to embody The Flash before this movie. Still, The Flash may cement itself as a modern classic of the superhero genre.
5 “Andy Muschietti Has Crafted Something Special” In The Flash Movie
Collider editor-in-chief Steve Weintraub praised star Miller as well as Keaton, along with the work of Muschietti. Weintraub additionally alluded to Miller’s legal troubles over the last few years, which have caused some to decide not to see The Flash. Miller has since apologized for their behavior and WBD has stood behind the actor, but it’s unclear whether they will be a part of the movie’s upcoming promotional tour ahead of its release.
6 The Flash Is “Back to the Future Meets Spider-Man: No Way Home”
Germain Lussier, of Gizmodo and io9, likened The Flash to a combination of Back to the Future and Spider-Man: No Way Home, with the former dealing in time travel and latter in the multiverse. This makes sense given The Flash follows Barry Allen as he travels back in time to save his mother, only to end up messing with the universes. Both Back to the Future and Spider-Man: No Way Home are beloved movies, so The Flash being compared to them is undoubtedly a good sign it’ll successfully handle its time travel and multiverse elements.
7 There Are “Easter Eggs Galore” In The Flash Movie
/Film editor Ben Pearson praised both Miller and Keaton and hyped up the Easter eggs included in The Flash movie. Although Easter eggs don’t make or break a superhero movie, they certainly add an extra layer of enjoyment for those familiar with the comics or other media on which a film is based. Aside from the comics, The Flash has already shown it will include plenty of references to Man of Steel with the return of Zod. So both comics and DC movie fans will no doubt catch references they understand in The Flash.
8 The Flash Movie’s Story “Challenges Barry To Confront Who He Is”
Collider’s Perri Nemiroff offered insight into The Flash movie’s story, teasing the character journey Barry Allen goes on and how it’s influenced by the superheroes he meets along the way. Miller’s Barry Allen has previously interacted with the entire Justice League, but in The Flash he’ll have a different group of companions, which includes an alternate version of himself that grew up with both his parents. With two versions of Barry, The Flash is poised to really dig into the character – which is exactly what it does according to Nemiroff’s reaction.
9 Michael Keaton “Delivers” In The Flash Movie
GameSpot senior editor Chris E. Hayner offered more praise for The Flash, particularly calling out Calle’s Supergirl as a potential new fan-favorite and hyping Keaton’s return. The actor dons the cape and cowl of Batman for the first time in over 30 years – since 1992’s Batman Returns – in The Flash. His return has been highly anticipated ever since it was announced in 2020, and it’s heartening that Hayner’s reaction indicates Keaton will make it a satisfying reprisal.
10 The Flash Movie Doesn’t Feel Like “A Million Other Superhero Movies”
Fandom managing editor Eric Goldman was won over by The Flash movie, which set itself apart from other comic book fare. Superhero movie fatigue has been a discussion point for much of the last decade, but has grown over the last few years with Marvel Studios churning out Marvel Cinematic Universe movies and shows at an increased rate. The similarities of superhero movies has been discussed as a contributor to such fatigue, so The Flash offering something new will make it stand out.
11 The Flash Is “An Impressive DC Movie”
Insider’s Jason Guerrasio had a more measured reaction to The Flash, tempering expectations by noting it’s not the best superhero movie of all time. As with any movie, there will be differences of opinion, so while some may call The Flash the best superhero movie, others will undoubtedly disagree. Tastes differ person to person, and it appears The Flash may not wow every member of the audience, though that doesn’t mean it won’t still be successful. As Guerrasio notes, there is plenty to like about The Flash.
12 Batman & Supergirl Are “Incredible,” But The Flash Has Some “Really Cringe Moments”
The Nerds of Color offered some critiques of The Flash movie, noting it has some “really cringe moments” and the humor fails to deliver, but praised Batman and Supergirl as well as the action and emotion. Though this reaction doesn’t specify which Batman they’re referring to, Keaton and Calle have earned nothing but praise among The Flash early reactions, indicating they’re some of the more enjoyable aspects of the movie. However, it appears the humor of The Flash may not be for everyone.
13 “Mixed Bag Overall”: The Flash Suffers From Fan Service & DC’s Villain Problem
On the other end of the spectrum of The Flash reactions is Jeff Sneider, who praised the first hour of the movie, but found the last hour to be an “utter mess.” Every movie will have its detractors, and Sneider may not be alone in finding fault in The Flash once the movie has screened to more people. It wouldn’t be the first superhero movie to struggle to stick the landing after a promising start. However, though The Flash may have some weaknesses, it appears to be a general crowd-pleaser. Ultimately, the largely positive early reactions to The Flash set the bar even higher – and it remains to be seen if the upcoming DC movie can live up to even more hype.
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