The nic cage as superman cameo was just a stroke of awesome to see what that could of been I love how they incorporated Tim Burton's concept art of the giant spider as well as the George Clooney cameo was freakin brilliant and hilarious what a great last cool thing to do as this DCU is probably over now after Aquaman 2 🤷
Dude what makes you mad is if the damn industry wouldn’t get in the way I feel zack could have made a great dc franchise because his director cuts are awesome but a lot of it gets overshadowed by the bad theatrical release movies
Kevin Smith wrote the script & Richard Donner, the og Superman producer, was heavily involved he’s actually responsible for the giant spider, the film just died on the vine.
Just being able to see Michael Keaton one more time was worth the price of admission for me. Batman Returns is the movie that made me a Batman fan when I was a kid, it is one of my favorite movies of all time. Every time he was on screen I had a huge smile on my face.
Michael Gough was the actor who played Alfred in the 4 original 80-90s Batman films. He didn't died before Batman & Robin came out. In fact, he passed away in 2010, after he completed work on his final film, Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland.
Plain and simple, this movie was the most fun I've had at the movies in a very long time. Whatever shortcomings with the cgi, these visuals seemed to rhyme with the tone and style for the rest of the movie that they didn't seem out of place or even a shortcoming at all. Am ecstatic that this director was chosen for the next Batman because this is the type of excitement and fun we all need right now.
Yeah it was a fun popcorn flick.. it was better than I thought because I don't like how annoying Barry is portrayed in this universe. Not a fan of it at all. It may have had some janky cgi. The third act action scene was really cool I thought. I was actually surprised that they didn't stop Zod, SG and Batman both died along with Barry 2 and that each. Barry Prime obviously didn't learn not to mess with time so they actually failed at everything. It was weird to me and surprising but I actually like that they didn't win
And then there’s also George Reeves as Superman from the 1950s TV show (and I love how his “sphere” was completely black and white, no color), and how he had his own Flash, Jay Garrick (played by Teddy Sears from the Flash TV show). Again, I know it’s CGI, but I still lost my mind in the theater
What you shared at the end is spot on. And not just with movies. It happens in sports, with music, etc. It’s beyond obnoxious and sadly ruins the “regular” persons experience for whatever it might be. You absolutely nailed it. Nice work bro.
Seriously. While drinking my morning coffee and watching this great spoiler-review, I wrote down time-stamp upon time-stamp to highlight in this comment-section, basically saying that I 100% agree! I think it was after your 10’th point, where I just threw my note away, because there’s just way too MUCH you nail perfectly 😂 Wholeheartedly, I agree with you on every_single_fucking_thing you talk about in this review! Not that we need to agree at all, but it just so happens that we DO. Literally everything you talk about is exactly my own sentiments, you just express it so well. Whether it be about the absolute OVER-hyping of early reactions, Ezra as Flash (or dark Flash), the embarrassing effects, the execution of certain story-beats, muddled tone-shifts, the absolute RUINING of a tear-dropping moment between mother and son, right after followed up by hotdog-eating goofey Barry, to the silly end-credit with Aquaman, etc. The list just goes on.. You nail everything right on the head, Cody. Everybody should see this review, cause it speaks honest truths. Not hate, just truths 🤷♂️ Lastly. About that ending, with Clooney back as Batman (which WAS funny indeed) but what the hell does it really mean, right?…. Honestly, just like you say, my only thought is they decided to say “WHO CARES!? This DCEU is DEAD anyway, so just throw it in there”, lol.. They’re probably thinking that Barry is at least back in a happy place, but just like Keaton’s Batman explained earlier in the movie (with his bowl of spaghetti) things can still get sorta tangled no matter what. Somewhere in the midst of it all, Affleck’s Batman is still there, but somehow, now Clooney’s bats is in universe with Barry… Get it?… Nah, mean either 😂 Fuck it, the universe is dead! Movin’ on! 🤣
What doesn't make sense is that, despite it being recast, Clooney's Batman is Keaton's Batman. Keaton, Kilmer, and Clooney were all playing the same Batman/Bruce Wayne, just like George Lazenby, Roger Moore, and Timothy Dalton were all supposed to be the same James Bond Sean Connery played. So this really was just a cheap laugh, not a thought out plan.
The opening sequence was balls to the wall entertainment, with some cool moments with the Justice League members. The humor is sharp and the action is dynamic and full of personality. And then the story gets going and we get some great emotional scenes regarding Barry's father and mother. One of my personal favorite moments from the film is Affleck's Bruce Wayne having a talk with Barry about the dangers of time travel and how our scars mold us into who we are. After this point, I was completely invested. The whacky and over the top moments really did work for me, up until Keaton is introduced. This is when I could feel how jarring the changes in tone were. Burton's vision of Batman didn't really line up with the world that had been set up for this movie. Sure, Keaton is a great comedic actor, but there was something about his introduction that just didn't work for me. The reveal of the batsuits, and ultimately Batman himself, eased me back into comfortable territory, though, as far as consistency with what Burton had established. Overall, it was great seeing Michael Keaton back in the batsuit--he just embodies the character so effortlessly. Supergirl is awesome and is easily one of my favorite aspects of the movie. By the final act, I was entertained, but not as invested in the characters as I was hoping. There were points where I felt certain transitions leading up to the finale were rushed, and as soon as the multiverse sequence with all of the cameos started to happen, the movie felt as if it was collapsing under its own weight--too much going on; needed to be tighter. A much funnier film than I had expected--a great movie to see with an audience, and obviously, seeing Keaton back as Batman was epic, but the shifts in tone were distracting and the story got bogged down near the end for me. 7/10 What are your thoughts?
Cody you have to listen to Kevin smith speak about writing the script for the Nick cage Superman movie. Him fighting the spider gives a lot more context. Such a dope moment. Also, for anyone who loves 89 Batman, seeing “the bag that laughs” or the room with the statues in Wayne manor…such great nods to the 89 film.
For the record, not only am I a massive fan of Batman '89/'Returns, they are actually my favorite live-action outings for the Caped Crusader. Just as well, Keaton always has been and always will be my favorite Batman/Bruce Wayne. That said: I definitely enjoyed this movie. As with anyone else, yeah I acknowledge there were some small scruples there, but I enjoyed it. I didn't really have any issue with the special effects. The only time they were noticeably sub-par were the sequences where Barry is in a time sphere about to travel back. Even then, for what those sequences had to accomplish, I believe there's only so much the effects department could have done. They can't all be Return of the King or Avatar. They just can't. My biggest praise for this film was how well they treated the returning '89/'Returns' Batman/Wayne and his environments. He was treated with goosebumps-inducing reverence and the utmost respect, and my God it was glorious. Whoever came together to make this film had an unbelievable amount of love for those two early Batman films. An insane amount. They managed to practically recreate the '89 Wayne Manor/Batcave inch for dark and brooding inch, and they even had what was for me a tear-jerkingly awesome enhanced version of the original Danny Elfman score accompany it. Like, from the moment Barry(s) arrive(s) at the property, it's Tim Burton's Batman 3, and it's spectacular. I tip all the hats to the production crew and Keaton here, because, despite the absolute chaos that surrounded the production of this film, they made double-damn-sure that, come whatever may, Keaton's return was going to turn your brain into shit and it was massively successful in that arena. And they didn't tear him down or make him a walking joke/punchline for the sake of modern Hollywood BS/politics. They let Keaton come in and go to that place and be that guy one more time, and that's what it's all about. That's all we fans want in a film like this. Respect. My only small qualm with these sequences was that we didn't get to see "the car" in action one last time. I know there's footage in one of the trailers of Batsy firing that bad boy up, but again that footage ended up being cut. Now the intriguing part is how they're going to handle the home media release. If they expect to get anywhere near to making back the budget on this film, they're going to have go all out for it. I know there are HOURS of finished footage with cut-out characters/story elements and so forth that didn't make it into this film, and I for one would love to see that ensemble sequence at the beginning and the rest of the film from Barry(s) arriving at the '89 Wayne Manor 'til the end extended and enhanced as much as logically possible with as much footage as they can use for those areas of the film. Or at least a huge amount of it needs to end up in the special features as Deleted Scenes/Outtakes.
I absolutely loved this movie. I knew some of the cameos but not all. And I was blown away. CGI could of been better for sure but didn’t even effect me the movie was just a thrill ride and funny too. Loved it. Clapped 3 times in it and would standing ovation it. I don’t know why I loved it so much. Maybe seeing all the Superman’s. Maybe seeing Barry who was so annoying grow up when he realized how annoying the spoiled Barry was. There were great dialogue moments too. Loved keatons exit line. When Barry said I can’t bring you back. Keaton was great. Ezra was great. Afleck was great. Supergirl great. Only cgi not great and could of had more of zod
That’s pretty funny about the spider and Nic Cage. There’s a bit in An Evening with Kevin Smith where he talks about Superman Lives and how the writer or producer *insisted* on that damn mechanical spider. Obviously, the film got scrapped, and that guy went on to make Wild Wild West, where his spider finally made it. It was the moment that guy realized his dream and we were reminded: cocaine is a hell of a drug.
5 Things: 1. Yes, the CGI isn’t great. It doesn’t look good. But if the main complaint I have about the movie is that it has weak CGI, that’s a good thing because all the story beats work for me. 2. The humor worked well for me. Though this version of Barry is the one we got from Josstice League. But done in a better way. It didn’t feel like the ZS version of the character (even though they are technically the same just subtle differences). The baby shower was hilarious and Barry running without his powers made me chuckle. Even 18 year old Barry made me laugh and he’s prominent. 3. The cameos were a lot of fun, seeing Nick Cage was a treat and I loved how this movie wasn’t a nostalgia event and it easily could have. I couldn’t stand the George Clooney. Made me laugh though 😂 4. Ezra Miller’s performance was fantastic (yes he needs accountability for his actions off screen, but that doesn’t take away from the performance). He really is great. 5. I appreciate your thoughts on how you would have done the climax. I would have liked that too. And I get your frustration with the ending. Overall I think the movie works. But yes it’s confusing lol.
You made a lot of great points. I thought it was so cool when the showed Nicolas Cage’s Superman (although I wish it was actually him and not CGI). I do agree with Cody about the ending, I think it was absolutely supposed to be Keaton as Bruce Wayne at the end, but when James Gunn came on board and decided to reboot the whole thing they decided to reshoot the scene with Clooney. My idea for the post credit scene would’ve been Barry and Clooney’s Batman recruiting Chris O Donnell’s Robin and Alicia Silverstone’s Batgirl. Which still would’ve been meaningless, but at least it’s not boring like what we actually got.
I believe Barry 2 was a representation of Savitar not reverse flash. I feel like reverse flash was originally in this movie but got taken out over the long process of this movie changing a ton
Even to your point about the hype from people before the official release of this film, there were these two people by the names of Tom Cruise and Stephen King that both saw this movie early and apparently loved it. Even with Cruise, he apparently loved it so much that he was on a 15 minute phone call with Andy Muschietti talking about how much he loved the movie. Let’s say that all of that’s 100% true. When people hear that legendary horror author, Stephen King loved a comic book film in DC’s The Flash, that’ll probably go in with sky high expectations. Eventually, people’ll catch onto what’s going on, and they don’t trust these early reactions, which hurts the box office.
@@markdenton3141 It’s true. If you look up “Tom Cruise The Flash”, you’ll find a bunch of articles saying how much Tom Cruise apparently loved The Flash. Same thing with Stephen King.
My gf loved it. It's one of her favorite comic book films. I enjoyed it. Probably at the same level you did. But Gun & Sazlav coming out and saying it's one of the best really made it feel like a let down. Normally I get when a studio head or someone with a deep connection with the project inflates the movie since they have a stake in it. But I didn't expect them to do so.
Completely agree with your criticism regarding the early screening reviews. Being misled on the quality of a movie so a studio suck-up can have their name included on posters and blu-rays is supremely messed up and there has been a gluttony of reviewers guilty of doing it for awhile now. So much so I don't trust their opinion on anything they review. Kinda wished you had called them out by name, but I get why you wouldn't. Great review as always!!
I liked the movie. I’m a Snyder fan and like the darker tone’s in his movies but I thought The Flash was fun. I laughed a bunch and loved the Keaton stuff. I’ve never liked Ezra’s Flash but this worked for me.
Part of me thinks it would’ve been cool to see the Watchmen show up in either a cameo or like a Michael Keaton type extended role to showcase a truly different DC universe, but then the other part of me never wants those characters be in anything but their own story. 🤷♂️
I completely agree with you on the George Clooney cameo For 3 seconds, it’s fucking hilarious After that, you think ‘wait a minute, where do we go from here’? 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Nice mention of Frequency. Great flick! I enjoyed many aspects of The Flash, despite finding young Barry very annoying, and the nonstop modern songs very annoying. The humor and pacing didn't work for me half of the time. I liked the baby scene though lol. CGI didn't bother me. Could have been better at times, sure, but was fine. Opening car chase/bat cycle scene was solid, and the Keaton stuff was the best aspect for me. Keaton returning was worth the price of admission from my view, and I'd buy the DVD just for him. Loved the military base battle underground! I also enjoyed the cameos at the end, especially Reeve, Cage and Slater.
I assumed the main villain was supposed to be Savitar not Reverse Flash. The look was very reminiscent of the way they did him in the TV show too (along with the twist of him being an alternate Barry). I liked how they did that and thought the fact they didn't throw Barry 2 under the bus narratively was good. He was still a hero. As for paradoxes? It is a time travel film there's always paradoxes... I thought Clooney was a cool nod and ultimately this universe is dead so the final end credit scene didnt bother me as the film is never going anywhere any way.
Kinda off topic here Cody, how are you dude? How’s it going 😂. What do you think about Batman Beyond Season 2 Episode 2, Earth Mover. I thoroughly enjoyed the episode, well directed. Immensely eerie and scary too!
The Speedforce is what gives the Flash his speed. When everything is slowed down and he's moving around doing stuff in slow motion, it's called Flash time.
They credited evil Barry 2 as dark flash. Apparently andy has said reverse flash is the one who killed Nora. Also there’s a rumored 4 hour cut of the film so some of that stuff might be in it. But at this point there’s no point in even wanting that 4 hour cut
I don’t think Barry was supposed to be betrayed as an idiot. I was getting the vibe that his speed force almost gives him ADHD, his mind is in several places at once. He’s constantly late and he procrastinates and the other version of him has traits in his personality that are seen in people with ADHD. Like getting distracted easily and what not. Idk just a thought I had during the movie.
You're wrong with the ending save of his dad. He didn't change the past at all with the tomatoes. His dad still gets arrested and spends years in jail, nothing from before when he traveled back was changed, but his present did with having his Dad exonerated. His dad was innocent and he proved it by changing nothing but a bad video capture and leaning into Bruce's new tech. It's 100% different from saving his mother's actual life.
Everyone apparently misses the obvious. It doesn’t matter whether he looks up or not. He would still get home at the same time his wife gets stabbed and he would still go in and get blood on his hands and fingerprints on the knife. The script treats the audience like idiots and no one even points this out.
That's the only good redeeming thing about the movie just wish they could've kept him at the ending given Clooney showed up I was like oh hell no but yeah it's a joke comedy.
Another great review Cody. I was torn a bit with whether to see this or not, but I did end up going to see the film. I figured that I could still go to the film to support the other performers in the film regardless of Ezras actions. On a side note, I also would have liked the Thomas Wayne version of Batman. Oddly, I thought it could have been an interesting twist if the trailers were showing us Keaton Batman and then revealed in the actual movie that he was a version of Thomas Wayne rather than the 89 Bruce Wayne. This would have allowed the nostalgia of having Keaton in the cowl while also subverting expectations by making him Thomas rather than Bruce as the audience would have gone in expecting.
Great, review, one point to look at during a rewatch, the younger Barry had his mom, and didn't get into science and forensics because she didn't die and had his father as well. The prime Barry had to grow up faster without both his Barry. They had to sneak in the lab, do to Barry not working in the lab.
You’re right about everyone hyping it up before hand. I really enjoyed the movie. Could have used better CGI but the studio was not going to put more money into this. Even the acting was and the pacing was good. I could’ve used more supergirl. But seeing Keaton in the bat suit again, my God that was great. The movie was better than Quantumania, had the movie been released earlier I think it would’ve had more traction. Also trailers spoiling everything is annoying.
I really enjoyed this movie and honeslty, the CGI didn't bother me at any point. I'm honestly glad the movie didn't end in the 3rd act as what you mentioned because that's waht I expected so it would have been pretty predictable, at least to me. Not every comic book movie needs an end boss fight in my opinion. Dark Flash mentions that older Barry is his hero, so it makes sense for younger Barry to sacrifice himself at that point. I agree about moving the tomatoes at the end. I got the impression Barry learned he couldn't change things, yet he tries again. The credits scene also gave me the impression that they're back in the original Affleck timeline. Overall I thought it was a great movie. It's a shame people aren't giving it a chance.
I find it interesting that Diana said to Barry nice suit which implies that Barry hasn't had his Flash Suit for that long and this is the first time his Justice League friends are seeing his suit or it's the first time that Diana is seeing Barry's suit
I dont have issues with the ending, he learned he had to let his mom die because its a fixed point but his dads inprisonment wasn't so he felt he could change it
This movie was disappointing to me 🤦 Im not surprised but I am shocked how much bad CGI was used throughout the movie. The ending was the coup de grace with the overall story that Barry Allen learned nothin. He let his mom die but still decided to move the can of tomatoes higher so his dad can look up the camera hence ending w/ a different Bruce Wayne. So Barry learned nothin 🤦
Great, succinct review! Thank you! I know you're not a big animation fan generally, but the animated Flashpoint movie, is really quite superb. Just throw it on for the whole family on a movie night, you might be surprised 😁
@@CodyLeachYT I mean I understand savatar motivations I did read the comics but if I was making the movie the main villain would have been reverse flash my cast choice would that actor who played as dexter from the dexter series
things looked off when time slowed! it was intentional! thats why the baby scene looked off cuz the time slowed down!!!! i totally got that right away!!! they even talk slowed sown a little!!!!
When you think about it, the way the end with the parallel worlds and the final cameo played out feel like a good way to end the DCU. It's completely confusing yes, but it doesn't matter. Even the end credit scene not actually connecting to another film makes it feel like this is something that won't be continued (I did think a drunk Aquaman was hilarious). I'm kind of glad they're ending this DCU timeline honestly. It's not horrendous, but overall was badly mishandled behind the scenes and it's time for a reset. I'd give The Flash 3 out of 5. Genuinely silly, but fun. My only real complaint is that if you're walking into this having not seen Justice League, you may be confused about how The Flash can travel back in time (though I'm just assuming his abilities are discussed in that film, I haven't seen it). I knew just enough of the lore to not be surprised by that. It feels like it should have been better explained at some point. (Sidenote: Could not agree with the last 15 minutes of this video more.)
Your review is the best. When will. Studios get pass Killing off The Heros in their Movies Once word gets out That the Hero dies people loose Interest. Nobody wants to see that. People want a happy conclusion to a good story.
I really, really wish they couldve kept Michael Keaton as Batman a secret. My mind would have been blown away like many others. Anyway, I think he was handled very well in this movie which was great. Not nearly as many cameos as I expected though. Overall the movie was better than most MCU films in the last 4 years but not one of the greatest ever.
Hey Cody do you believe our past has to happen the way it did in order for us to become who were meant to be or who we could be or do you think its all bs and if we make a mistake we have no one to blame but ourselves and those mistakes could've been prevented
I was never bored watching it and thought the action was good. My main problem with this movie is the same problem I have with all these multiverse films. They all feel so inconsequential. This one feels even more so given the downbeat ending. The Barry and Batfleck scene at the beginning basically telegraphs the whole movie. Batman's actions and ultimate sacrifice should have had more impact than on just the life of the Flash. Ultimately Keaton's Batman is dismissed as a relic that doesn't belong in the modern era which is quite depressing when you think of it. The tonal shifts are distracting as you said. It would have been even more so had they turned Barry 2 into a villain after seeing what is essentially a buddy comedy for 2 hours. Perhaps this was the only way they could have gone.
2 questions I came out with this movie was 1. Who killed his mother? I'm guessing it was reverse flash but the characters never actually questioned that at all. 2. Who was taking care of Barry after his mom died and his dad goes to jail?
I fkn loved this movie. I don’t get all the hate. The cgi was fine it made perfect sense to me the way it was done, the story was good. Best superhero film I’ve seen in years. It was fun, I smiled through the entire film.
I just did a video yesterday on the original ending and from what I can tell that ending seemed way better then the actual ending that we did get for this movie at least in my opinion.
Ezra did fine in that emotional moment with his on screen mom, but the TV show did it way better imo with Grant Gustin in the season 1 finale. All feeling aside with Ezra miller
I loved the movie but has the same issues with the ending that you did. I did not like the way they set it up where they were doomed to fail, no matter what. That means there is no hope, the bad guys are gonna win, evil prevails, which totally goes against Man Of Steel, Superman, etc. We have Michael Keaton back, we have this Supergirl, and we have to fight Zod, but no matter what, Zod wins this time? Didn't like that. I know it is a Flash movie, not a Superman movie, but I would like to have seen them succeed, stop Zod and have Keaton and Calle survive and continue on in that timeline. Maybe have Barry prime die. Idk. I did enjoy it but would have liked some changes. I hope this isn't the last time we see Michael Keaton as Batman but I'm not gonna hold my breath.
The post credits scene should’ve with a silhouette of Ezera Miller, George Clooney, Chris O’Donnell, and Alicia Silverstone running into the camera just like they did in Batman and Robin with Elliot Goldenthal’s theme blaring in the background. It would’ve been great. It’s a shame Joel Schumacher didn’t live to see George’s cameo. But it’s cool that Warner Bros is honoring his legacy.
Been waiting for this one since I saw the movie Cody! I saw the movie and really dug it! Keaton was amazing! Zod and Supergirl and a lot of fun surprises in the film! It was great. Batflack was fire! Ron Livingston was less better than Billy Crudup, but still good. But there are three very noticeable flaws to this movie in my eyes: 3. The director did spoil some of the biggest surprises in the movie! What was he thinking?! 2. Andy is a good director that clearly is very bad at picking his CGI and special effects team. The CGI in “It”(both parts) was and here it was even worse here… I always wanted Batman Vs Clayface or Manbat but since Andy is the worst director when it comes to CGI, I’ll pass. 1. For me the movie was great DESPITE of Ezra Miller and not BECAUSE of him. I thought he was annoying as both characters. The fact that they didn’t fired him or even condemned his actions is really not helping. But it’s not just because of his actions, mainly because I don’t like his acting… he was way too goofy and jokey for my taste. Not to talk about the other Barry which was way more awful! I can’t buy him being the hero… sorry! I would give this movie an 7.5/10 but it would have at least a 8.5/10 if not for horrible CGI and Ezra
Great review, but Future Barry wasn't supposed to be Reverse Flash at all. There are multiple speedsters within the comics and just throughout media. THAT Flash is very similar to Savitar within the CW Show, but I'm not aware of any figures similar to that in the comics. I agree though, would've been intresting to learn who had murdered Barry's father. Even have some sort of Reverse Flash presence. 🤷♂
They had the perfect origin story to build a universe, but because it didn’t make 1B at the box office, they panicked and kept course correcting. MOS made 668M in 2013, which is about 800M+ today. WB would kill for a DCEU movie to make 800M today. They screwed up.
The problem with the plot point of placing the can of tomatoes in the cart, so his father is home, is it could have gone very wrong, he could have lost both parents to the killer or things could have flipped, and the dad was killed and the mother was blamed. He also doesn't learn from his mistakes at the end either, and changes things to help his father, which results in Batman turning into George Clooney. The CGI shocked me at the start so much, I nearly walked out of the cinema. I'm glad I stuck with it, there's a lot to enjoy but it's not the greatest DC movie of all time as people are boasting it is, it's not even in the top 10. DC fans deserved better than this. Its good, its just not great. At least Michael Keaton and Sasha Calle were great in it, even though Sasha was underused. Shame we didn't get the original ending where Michael Keaton is still Batman, hence he was coming back again in the unreleased Batgirl film, and Batman Beyond that will never come out either. It has problems, but it's a fun popcorn flick. 3 1/2 out of 5, for me.
That moment when young Barry finds out why older Barry went into the past didn’t show him progressing and grow a bit didn’t work for you? AND ultimately does what he does for older Barry? Idk hear what your saying but it basically worked for me.
Michael Gough a.k.a. Keaton's Alfred didn't die until sometime in the 2010's. He was in Sleepy Hollow, Alice in Wonderland, Corpse Bride and several other projects after Batman & Robin.
@Cody Leach Not being a Burton fan, I'm not surprised that one slipped by you. But, I'm generally with you on this film. It's not anywhere near the travesty people are making it out to be. Despite the first 15 minutes or so being a little rough and a couple of missed opportunities and botched executions, it's a solid movie and easily a top 3 DCEU film. Shame that James Gunn is going to throw it all away. Maybe if Ezra weren't such a lunatic, things could have been different.
the christopher reeves superman cameo was the best so awesome and 89 batman michael keaton was awesome and nicholas cage superman cameo wow it was a good movie for what it was since there not continuing it could have been a great trilogy for the flash was also awesome with supergirl battling general zod was epic and the wonderwoman cameo was awesome
I feel like Current Barry has an arc where he becomes more mature both thru the experience and through dealing with himself who has a mother but takes it for granted
Great review Cody. I was intending to see the film especially due to Michael Keaton. But with everything that went on with Ezra I couldn't bring myself to go and see it.
For me, the two biggest issues that plague this film from the outside are: 1). We live in a post-Last Jedi world, a warped, Bizarro era where studios are literately p!$$ing millions into the wind to wage a war on their paying customers. They are literally manufacturing their own issues, the reactions to their own issues, and what half-@$$ed solutions there have been to their own issues. A few years of this now have worn the movie-going audience and their patience and willingness to spend money quite thin. And while there weren't any forced identity politics or anything like that in this film, it was still victimized by it from the outside with Ezra Miller getting a free pass on all of their many ponderous crimes because of his affiliation with certain communities. I can see people not wanting to spend their money supporting a person like the one Ezra's been of late or the company that willingly continues to support them. 2). James Gunn/WB killing the Snyderverse and doing Henry Cavill, Gal Gadot, and Ben Affleck the way they did two films before this one's release. This is a big one. Bigger than some give it credit for. Nobody's going to waste money on this if it isn't going anywhere thereafter. I spent the money because of my love for Batman '89/'Returns', and even though Keaton was amazing in this film, it's still a dead end street, and James Gunn/WB still cut ALL of its legs off before it even had a chance to stand upright.
You didn't mention superhero movie fatigue as a potential reason for The Flash's underperformance, which IMO is probably the biggest single reason other than everything going on directly with Ezra Miller.
I actually thought the plot with supergirl was pretty good. The fact that superman already beat the Kryptonians in another timeline already happened. To see zod actually win was different but kinda neat. This wouldn't have worked with superman so it needed to be this way. I loved seeing Christopher reeves superman with the 80s supergirl was awesome. Honestly they should have just stuck with Keaton at the end.
I think this movie would have hit harder if Michael Keaton batman was a total surprise till u watch the movie but they spoiled it in the trailer . No way home hit harder because there was rumors circling about Tobey but they never let it slip in the marketing . So actually watching him appear in the movie was awesome
I liked the movie but having the first flash movie be flashpoint was a bad idea. I would've prefered to see the flash fight someone like mirror master or someone like that with cool visual powers that's from his own rogues gallery without being reverse flash so it's not another "the same but evil" villain, a leave flashpoint for a sequel, and just like captain america civil war was avengers 2.5 make flashpoint kind of a crossover movie as well. The only good thing about making flashpoint the first movie is that they were able to make a flash origin story while at the same time it's not. They kinda had their cake and ate it too.
This is such a great and thorough review Cody. I think the main reason I’m not going to see this film in theaters is because of all the things you talked about at the end of the video. For one, I’m not a fan of Ezra and I just feel like there is no reason to see it because DC is reseting soon anyways.
20:04 I couldn't take the DCEU Zod seriously as a villain. He was supposedly genetically engineered to be a warrior but in Man of Steel's opening he's beaten by Jor-El, a scientist with no fighting experience.
I was okay with the confusing implications of some things, like the Clooney cameo for the very reason that the universe is over so it didn't matter at all, it was just a fun gag...and Clooney wasn't even the funny part, it was the well placed F-bomb "Who the fuck is this guy??"... Miller might be a weirdo but he had a couple good deliveries.
Yeah this movie felt so disappointing because damn it I love the flash character and I really wanted this movie to be perfection but man oh man I was let down which is just sad and depressing at least in my opinion.
I love these hour long spoiler reviews from Cody. Gets into all the details and explains his thoughts very well.
I second this.
34:50 The name of the actress who played Supergirl was Helen Slater.
The nic cage as superman cameo was just a stroke of awesome to see what that could of been I love how they incorporated Tim Burton's concept art of the giant spider as well as the George Clooney cameo was freakin brilliant and hilarious what a great last cool thing to do as this DCU is probably over now after Aquaman 2 🤷
Dude what makes you mad is if the damn industry wouldn’t get in the way I feel zack could have made a great dc franchise because his director cuts are awesome but a lot of it gets overshadowed by the bad theatrical release movies
@@taylorpack7705 studio interference has been what's held the DCEU back for years. When they allow directors to do their thing, it works out for them
Kevin Smith wrote the script & Richard Donner, the og Superman producer, was heavily involved he’s actually responsible for the giant spider, the film just died on the vine.
Dcu is just starting
Dceu is dead
@@laughinghyena888#releasetheAyerCut
When Ezra started running without his powers made me laugh so freaking hard!!!!😂😂😂😂
That was hilarious.
same! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
When Ezra started running with his powers I started laughing
Yes. I loved that especially with the sqeaky shoes too
Just being able to see Michael Keaton one more time was worth the price of admission for me. Batman Returns is the movie that made me a Batman fan when I was a kid, it is one of my favorite movies of all time. Every time he was on screen I had a huge smile on my face.
Cody does a great job reviewing movies.
i know right??
Cody the goat !
I don’t always agree with him, in fact, I rarely do but I appreciate and respect his content and how much effort he puts in each of his videos
FACTS!!!
That's why we're here
Michael Gough was the actor who played Alfred in the 4 original 80-90s Batman films. He didn't died before Batman & Robin came out. In fact, he passed away in 2010, after he completed work on his final film, Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland.
Plain and simple, this movie was the most fun I've had at the movies in a very long time. Whatever shortcomings with the cgi, these visuals seemed to rhyme with the tone and style for the rest of the movie that they didn't seem out of place or even a shortcoming at all. Am ecstatic that this director was chosen for the next Batman because this is the type of excitement and fun we all need right now.
Who's gonna be in the next batman? Michael keaton?
Yeah it was a fun popcorn flick.. it was better than I thought because I don't like how annoying Barry is portrayed in this universe. Not a fan of it at all. It may have had some janky cgi. The third act action scene was really cool I thought. I was actually surprised that they didn't stop Zod, SG and Batman both died along with Barry 2 and that each. Barry Prime obviously didn't learn not to mess with time so they actually failed at everything. It was weird to me and surprising but I actually like that they didn't win
And then there’s also George Reeves as Superman from the 1950s TV show (and I love how his “sphere” was completely black and white, no color), and how he had his own Flash, Jay Garrick (played by Teddy Sears from the Flash TV show). Again, I know it’s CGI, but I still lost my mind in the theater
What you shared at the end is spot on. And not just with movies. It happens in sports, with music, etc. It’s beyond obnoxious and sadly ruins the “regular” persons experience for whatever it might be. You absolutely nailed it. Nice work bro.
When Barry mentioned that Kevin bacon was in top gun and they said the movie with the gay guys i died laughing 😂
Seriously. While drinking my morning coffee and watching this great spoiler-review, I wrote down time-stamp upon time-stamp to highlight in this comment-section, basically saying that I 100% agree! I think it was after your 10’th point, where I just threw my note away, because there’s just way too MUCH you nail perfectly 😂 Wholeheartedly, I agree with you on every_single_fucking_thing you talk about in this review! Not that we need to agree at all, but it just so happens that we DO. Literally everything you talk about is exactly my own sentiments, you just express it so well. Whether it be about the absolute OVER-hyping of early reactions, Ezra as Flash (or dark Flash), the embarrassing effects, the execution of certain story-beats, muddled tone-shifts, the absolute RUINING of a tear-dropping moment between mother and son, right after followed up by hotdog-eating goofey Barry, to the silly end-credit with Aquaman, etc. The list just goes on..
You nail everything right on the head, Cody. Everybody should see this review, cause it speaks honest truths. Not hate, just truths 🤷♂️
Lastly. About that ending, with Clooney back as Batman (which WAS funny indeed) but what the hell does it really mean, right?…. Honestly, just like you say, my only thought is they decided to say “WHO CARES!? This DCEU is DEAD anyway, so just throw it in there”, lol.. They’re probably thinking that Barry is at least back in a happy place, but just like Keaton’s Batman explained earlier in the movie (with his bowl of spaghetti) things can still get sorta tangled no matter what. Somewhere in the midst of it all, Affleck’s Batman is still there, but somehow, now Clooney’s bats is in universe with Barry… Get it?… Nah, mean either 😂 Fuck it, the universe is dead! Movin’ on! 🤣
What doesn't make sense is that, despite it being recast, Clooney's Batman is Keaton's Batman. Keaton, Kilmer, and Clooney were all playing the same Batman/Bruce Wayne, just like George Lazenby, Roger Moore, and Timothy Dalton were all supposed to be the same James Bond Sean Connery played. So this really was just a cheap laugh, not a thought out plan.
The opening sequence was balls to the wall entertainment, with some cool moments with the Justice League members. The humor is sharp and the action is dynamic and full of personality.
And then the story gets going and we get some great emotional scenes regarding Barry's father and mother. One of my personal favorite moments from the film is Affleck's Bruce Wayne having a talk with Barry about the dangers of time travel and how our scars mold us into who we are. After this point, I was completely invested.
The whacky and over the top moments really did work for me, up until Keaton is introduced. This is when I could feel how jarring the changes in tone were. Burton's vision of Batman didn't really line up with the world that had been set up for this movie. Sure, Keaton is a great comedic actor, but there was something about his introduction that just didn't work for me. The reveal of the batsuits, and ultimately Batman himself, eased me back into comfortable territory, though, as far as consistency with what Burton had established. Overall, it was great seeing Michael Keaton back in the batsuit--he just embodies the character so effortlessly.
Supergirl is awesome and is easily one of my favorite aspects of the movie.
By the final act, I was entertained, but not as invested in the characters as I was hoping. There were points where I felt certain transitions leading up to the finale were rushed, and as soon as the multiverse sequence with all of the cameos started to happen, the movie felt as if it was collapsing under its own weight--too much going on; needed to be tighter.
A much funnier film than I had expected--a great movie to see with an audience, and obviously, seeing Keaton back as Batman was epic, but the shifts in tone were distracting and the story got bogged down near the end for me.
7/10
What are your thoughts?
My only complaint is I wanted Christopher reeve to show up and tell Michael Shannon “General! Would you care to step outside?!”
Cody you have to listen to Kevin smith speak about writing the script for the Nick cage Superman movie. Him fighting the spider gives a lot more context. Such a dope moment.
Also, for anyone who loves 89 Batman, seeing “the bag that laughs” or the room with the statues in Wayne manor…such great nods to the 89 film.
For the record, not only am I a massive fan of Batman '89/'Returns, they are actually my favorite live-action outings for the Caped Crusader. Just as well, Keaton always has been and always will be my favorite Batman/Bruce Wayne. That said:
I definitely enjoyed this movie. As with anyone else, yeah I acknowledge there were some small scruples there, but I enjoyed it. I didn't really have any issue with the special effects. The only time they were noticeably sub-par were the sequences where Barry is in a time sphere about to travel back. Even then, for what those sequences had to accomplish, I believe there's only so much the effects department could have done. They can't all be Return of the King or Avatar. They just can't.
My biggest praise for this film was how well they treated the returning '89/'Returns' Batman/Wayne and his environments. He was treated with goosebumps-inducing reverence and the utmost respect, and my God it was glorious. Whoever came together to make this film had an unbelievable amount of love for those two early Batman films. An insane amount. They managed to practically recreate the '89 Wayne Manor/Batcave inch for dark and brooding inch, and they even had what was for me a tear-jerkingly awesome enhanced version of the original Danny Elfman score accompany it. Like, from the moment Barry(s) arrive(s) at the property, it's Tim Burton's Batman 3, and it's spectacular. I tip all the hats to the production crew and Keaton here, because, despite the absolute chaos that surrounded the production of this film, they made double-damn-sure that, come whatever may, Keaton's return was going to turn your brain into shit and it was massively successful in that arena. And they didn't tear him down or make him a walking joke/punchline for the sake of modern Hollywood BS/politics. They let Keaton come in and go to that place and be that guy one more time, and that's what it's all about. That's all we fans want in a film like this. Respect. My only small qualm with these sequences was that we didn't get to see "the car" in action one last time. I know there's footage in one of the trailers of Batsy firing that bad boy up, but again that footage ended up being cut.
Now the intriguing part is how they're going to handle the home media release. If they expect to get anywhere near to making back the budget on this film, they're going to have go all out for it. I know there are HOURS of finished footage with cut-out characters/story elements and so forth that didn't make it into this film, and I for one would love to see that ensemble sequence at the beginning and the rest of the film from Barry(s) arriving at the '89 Wayne Manor 'til the end extended and enhanced as much as logically possible with as much footage as they can use for those areas of the film. Or at least a huge amount of it needs to end up in the special features as Deleted Scenes/Outtakes.
The mom scene at the end really chocked me up. I haven’t had the best relationship with my mom in recent years I wanna watch this movie with her now.
Good review. It's a shame it didn't make the box office success that it deserved.
I absolutely loved this movie. I knew some of the cameos but not all. And I was blown away. CGI could of been better for sure but didn’t even effect me the movie was just a thrill ride and funny too. Loved it. Clapped 3 times in it and would standing ovation it. I don’t know why I loved it so much. Maybe seeing all the Superman’s. Maybe seeing Barry who was so annoying grow up when he realized how annoying the spoiled Barry was. There were great dialogue moments too. Loved keatons exit line. When Barry said I can’t bring you back. Keaton was great. Ezra was great. Afleck was great. Supergirl great. Only cgi not great and could of had more of zod
I’m glad I wasn’t the only one who begged the question about who killed Barry’s mom😂Thought I had missed something
Evil Barry is more of an adaptation of black flash, not reverse flash
Love this channel and great review Cody! On unrelated note: are you guys planning to do the Debrief on the latest 31 On 31??
That’s pretty funny about the spider and Nic Cage. There’s a bit in An Evening with Kevin Smith where he talks about Superman Lives and how the writer or producer *insisted* on that damn mechanical spider. Obviously, the film got scrapped, and that guy went on to make Wild Wild West, where his spider finally made it. It was the moment that guy realized his dream and we were reminded: cocaine is a hell of a drug.
It was the producer Jon Peters. If you watch the movie Licorice Pizza, Bradley Cooper plays him.
@Cooper Wolfe Yes! Thank you
5 Things:
1. Yes, the CGI isn’t great. It doesn’t look good. But if the main complaint I have about the movie is that it has weak CGI, that’s a good thing because all the story beats work for me.
2. The humor worked well for me. Though this version of Barry is the one we got from Josstice League. But done in a better way. It didn’t feel like the ZS version of the character (even though they are technically the same just subtle differences). The baby shower was hilarious and Barry running without his powers made me chuckle. Even 18 year old Barry made me laugh and he’s prominent.
3. The cameos were a lot of fun, seeing Nick Cage was a treat and I loved how this movie wasn’t a nostalgia event and it easily could have. I couldn’t stand the George Clooney. Made me laugh though 😂
4. Ezra Miller’s performance was fantastic (yes he needs accountability for his actions off screen, but that doesn’t take away from the performance). He really is great.
5. I appreciate your thoughts on how you would have done the climax. I would have liked that too. And I get your frustration with the ending. Overall I think the movie works. But yes it’s confusing lol.
You made a lot of great points. I thought it was so cool when the showed Nicolas Cage’s Superman (although I wish it was actually him and not CGI). I do agree with Cody about the ending, I think it was absolutely supposed to be Keaton as Bruce Wayne at the end, but when James Gunn came on board and decided to reboot the whole thing they decided to reshoot the scene with Clooney. My idea for the post credit scene would’ve been Barry and Clooney’s Batman recruiting Chris O Donnell’s Robin and Alicia Silverstone’s Batgirl. Which still would’ve been meaningless, but at least it’s not boring like what we actually got.
I believe Barry 2 was a representation of Savitar not reverse flash. I feel like reverse flash was originally in this movie but got taken out over the long process of this movie changing a ton
Even to your point about the hype from people before the official release of this film, there were these two people by the names of Tom Cruise and Stephen King that both saw this movie early and apparently loved it. Even with Cruise, he apparently loved it so much that he was on a 15 minute phone call with Andy Muschietti talking about how much he loved the movie. Let’s say that all of that’s 100% true. When people hear that legendary horror author, Stephen King loved a comic book film in DC’s The Flash, that’ll probably go in with sky high expectations. Eventually, people’ll catch onto what’s going on, and they don’t trust these early reactions, which hurts the box office.
Huh?
@@markdenton3141 It’s true. If you look up “Tom Cruise The Flash”, you’ll find a bunch of articles saying how much Tom Cruise apparently loved The Flash. Same thing with Stephen King.
Keaton jumping off the Batwing thats in front of the full moon and you hear the Danny Elfman theme, I lost it!
10:16 The "Barry's mother was killed by Reverse Flash" thing was a retcon the comics did a few years before the CW show.
My gf loved it. It's one of her favorite comic book films.
I enjoyed it. Probably at the same level you did. But Gun & Sazlav coming out and saying it's one of the best really made it feel like a let down. Normally I get when a studio head or someone with a deep connection with the project inflates the movie since they have a stake in it. But I didn't expect them to do so.
Another member berry moment from keaton was asking how much they weighed and the way he said hold on
Happy Father’s Day to all, and nice video Cody
Completely agree with your criticism regarding the early screening reviews. Being misled on the quality of a movie so a studio suck-up can have their name included on posters and blu-rays is supremely messed up and there has been a gluttony of reviewers guilty of doing it for awhile now. So much so I don't trust their opinion on anything they review. Kinda wished you had called them out by name, but I get why you wouldn't. Great review as always!!
Agreed.
I liked the movie. I’m a Snyder fan and like the darker tone’s in his movies but I thought The Flash was fun. I laughed a bunch and loved the Keaton stuff. I’ve never liked Ezra’s Flash but this worked for me.
Part of me thinks it would’ve been cool to see the Watchmen show up in either a cameo or like a Michael Keaton type extended role to showcase a truly different DC universe, but then the other part of me never wants those characters be in anything but their own story. 🤷♂️
I completely agree with you on the George Clooney cameo
For 3 seconds, it’s fucking hilarious
After that, you think ‘wait a minute, where do we go from here’?
🤣🤣🤣🤣
Nice mention of Frequency. Great flick!
I enjoyed many aspects of The Flash, despite finding young Barry very annoying, and the nonstop modern songs very annoying. The humor and pacing didn't work for me half of the time. I liked the baby scene though lol.
CGI didn't bother me. Could have been better at times, sure, but was fine. Opening car chase/bat cycle scene was solid, and the Keaton stuff was the best aspect for me. Keaton returning was worth the price of admission from my view, and I'd buy the DVD just for him. Loved the military base battle underground! I also enjoyed the cameos at the end, especially Reeve, Cage and Slater.
I loved that Keaton Batman kept jokers laughing sack.
I assumed the main villain was supposed to be Savitar not Reverse Flash. The look was very reminiscent of the way they did him in the TV show too (along with the twist of him being an alternate Barry).
I liked how they did that and thought the fact they didn't throw Barry 2 under the bus narratively was good. He was still a hero. As for paradoxes? It is a time travel film there's always paradoxes...
I thought Clooney was a cool nod and ultimately this universe is dead so the final end credit scene didnt bother me as the film is never going anywhere any way.
Kinda off topic here Cody, how are you dude? How’s it going 😂. What do you think about Batman Beyond Season 2 Episode 2, Earth Mover. I thoroughly enjoyed the episode, well directed. Immensely eerie and scary too!
The Speedforce is what gives the Flash his speed. When everything is slowed down and he's moving around doing stuff in slow motion, it's called Flash time.
They credited evil Barry 2 as dark flash. Apparently andy has said reverse flash is the one who killed Nora. Also there’s a rumored 4 hour cut of the film so some of that stuff might be in it. But at this point there’s no point in even wanting that 4 hour cut
45:30
Something drastic DID happen. Ben Affleck turned into George Clooney 🤣🤣🤣
I don’t think Barry was supposed to be betrayed as an idiot. I was getting the vibe that his speed force almost gives him ADHD, his mind is in several places at once. He’s constantly late and he procrastinates and the other version of him has traits in his personality that are seen in people with ADHD. Like getting distracted easily and what not. Idk just a thought I had during the movie.
You're wrong with the ending save of his dad. He didn't change the past at all with the tomatoes. His dad still gets arrested and spends years in jail, nothing from before when he traveled back was changed, but his present did with having his Dad exonerated. His dad was innocent and he proved it by changing nothing but a bad video capture and leaning into Bruce's new tech. It's 100% different from saving his mother's actual life.
He moved the cans to the top shelf. Watch it again.
He moved the cans. Barry was telling the reporters that the Tomato cans moved from bottom to top shelf.
Everyone apparently misses the obvious. It doesn’t matter whether he looks up or not. He would still get home at the same time his wife gets stabbed and he would still go in and get blood on his hands and fingerprints on the knife. The script treats the audience like idiots and no one even points this out.
Man micheal Keaton coming back was awesome
That's the only good redeeming thing about the movie just wish they could've kept him at the ending given Clooney showed up I was like oh hell no but yeah it's a joke comedy.
Another great review Cody. I was torn a bit with whether to see this or not, but I did end up going to see the film. I figured that I could still go to the film to support the other performers in the film regardless of Ezras actions. On a side note, I also would have liked the Thomas Wayne version of Batman. Oddly, I thought it could have been an interesting twist if the trailers were showing us Keaton Batman and then revealed in the actual movie that he was a version of Thomas Wayne rather than the 89 Bruce Wayne. This would have allowed the nostalgia of having Keaton in the cowl while also subverting expectations by making him Thomas rather than Bruce as the audience would have gone in expecting.
Great, review, one point to look at during a rewatch, the younger Barry had his mom, and didn't get into science and forensics because she didn't die and had his father as well. The prime Barry had to grow up faster without both his Barry. They had to sneak in the lab, do to Barry not working in the lab.
You’re right about everyone hyping it up before hand. I really enjoyed the movie. Could have used better CGI but the studio was not going to put more money into this. Even the acting was and the pacing was good. I could’ve used more supergirl. But seeing Keaton in the bat suit again, my God that was great. The movie was better than Quantumania, had the movie been released earlier I think it would’ve had more traction. Also trailers spoiling everything is annoying.
I really enjoyed this movie and honeslty, the CGI didn't bother me at any point.
I'm honestly glad the movie didn't end in the 3rd act as what you mentioned because that's waht I expected so it would have been pretty predictable, at least to me. Not every comic book movie needs an end boss fight in my opinion. Dark Flash mentions that older Barry is his hero, so it makes sense for younger Barry to sacrifice himself at that point.
I agree about moving the tomatoes at the end. I got the impression Barry learned he couldn't change things, yet he tries again.
The credits scene also gave me the impression that they're back in the original Affleck timeline.
Overall I thought it was a great movie. It's a shame people aren't giving it a chance.
Cody is good. Enjoyed the context.
I can't believe he didn't mention the double flash Supergirl three-way.
I find it interesting that Diana said to Barry nice suit which implies that Barry hasn't had his Flash Suit for that long and this is the first time his Justice League friends are seeing his suit or it's the first time that Diana is seeing Barry's suit
I think it's because they gave him a suit upgrade. The other one was bulkier and weird.
@@jujutaylor2186 yeah true
Early home streaming and pirated movies are what's driving down theater viewings.
I think I heard that the director said the original cut is around 4hrs, so maybe some well needed information will be on the DVD release
Who does the director think he is, Zack Snyder?
I dont have issues with the ending, he learned he had to let his mom die because its a fixed point but his dads inprisonment wasn't so he felt he could change it
I watched a doc a few years ago about Nick Cage as Superman, they used the robot spider idea in Wild Wild West when the Cage supe fell through
This movie was disappointing to me 🤦 Im not surprised but I am shocked how much bad CGI was used throughout the movie. The ending was the coup de grace with the overall story that Barry Allen learned nothin. He let his mom die but still decided to move the can of tomatoes higher so his dad can look up the camera hence ending w/ a different Bruce Wayne. So Barry learned nothin 🤦
Great, succinct review! Thank you! I know you're not a big animation fan generally, but the animated Flashpoint movie, is really quite superb. Just throw it on for the whole family on a movie night, you might be surprised 😁
Actually the evil speedster was dark flash basically live screen version of savatar
Hmmm...well...that's even worse. Lol
@@CodyLeachYT I mean I understand savatar motivations I did read the comics but if I was making the movie the main villain would have been reverse flash my cast choice would that actor who played as dexter from the dexter series
things looked off when time slowed! it was intentional! thats why the baby scene looked off cuz the time slowed down!!!! i totally got that right away!!! they even talk slowed sown a little!!!!
When you think about it, the way the end with the parallel worlds and the final cameo played out feel like a good way to end the DCU. It's completely confusing yes, but it doesn't matter. Even the end credit scene not actually connecting to another film makes it feel like this is something that won't be continued (I did think a drunk Aquaman was hilarious). I'm kind of glad they're ending this DCU timeline honestly. It's not horrendous, but overall was badly mishandled behind the scenes and it's time for a reset. I'd give The Flash 3 out of 5. Genuinely silly, but fun. My only real complaint is that if you're walking into this having not seen Justice League, you may be confused about how The Flash can travel back in time (though I'm just assuming his abilities are discussed in that film, I haven't seen it). I knew just enough of the lore to not be surprised by that. It feels like it should have been better explained at some point. (Sidenote: Could not agree with the last 15 minutes of this video more.)
Your review is the best.
When will. Studios get pass
Killing off The Heros in their
Movies Once word gets out
That the Hero dies people loose Interest. Nobody wants to see that. People want a happy conclusion to a good story.
For me, I wish it had been Keaton at the end that way they could use him in a Batman Beyond Movie in the future.
It was originally. They did reshoots and changed it
I really, really wish they couldve kept Michael Keaton as Batman a secret. My mind would have been blown away like many others. Anyway, I think he was handled very well in this movie which was great. Not nearly as many cameos as I expected though. Overall the movie was better than most MCU films in the last 4 years but not one of the greatest ever.
I agree with you I just wanted to see it because it's about time travel and Michael Keaton Batman.
Hey Cody do you believe our past has to happen the way it did in order for us to become who were meant to be or who we could be or do you think its all bs and if we make a mistake we have no one to blame but ourselves and those mistakes could've been prevented
I was never bored watching it and thought the action was good. My main problem with this movie is the same problem I have with all these multiverse films. They all feel so inconsequential. This one feels even more so given the downbeat ending. The Barry and Batfleck scene at the beginning basically telegraphs the whole movie. Batman's actions and ultimate sacrifice should have had more impact than on just the life of the Flash. Ultimately Keaton's Batman is dismissed as a relic that doesn't belong in the modern era which is quite depressing when you think of it.
The tonal shifts are distracting as you said. It would have been even more so had they turned Barry 2 into a villain after seeing what is essentially a buddy comedy for 2 hours. Perhaps this was the only way they could have gone.
2 questions I came out with this movie was 1. Who killed his mother? I'm guessing it was reverse flash but the characters never actually questioned that at all.
2. Who was taking care of Barry after his mom died and his dad goes to jail?
I really think the colusseum was a creative choice a bit like polar express, i liked it
I fkn loved this movie. I don’t get all the hate. The cgi was fine it made perfect sense to me the way it was done, the story was good. Best superhero film I’ve seen in years. It was fun, I smiled through the entire film.
I just did a video yesterday on the original ending and from what I can tell that ending seemed way better then the actual ending that we did get for this movie at least in my opinion.
Ezra did fine in that emotional moment with his on screen mom, but the TV show did it way better imo with Grant Gustin in the season 1 finale. All feeling aside with Ezra miller
Yes! So so agree!!!!
I loved the movie but has the same issues with the ending that you did. I did not like the way they set it up where they were doomed to fail, no matter what. That means there is no hope, the bad guys are gonna win, evil prevails, which totally goes against Man Of Steel, Superman, etc. We have Michael Keaton back, we have this Supergirl, and we have to fight Zod, but no matter what, Zod wins this time? Didn't like that.
I know it is a Flash movie, not a Superman movie, but I would like to have seen them succeed, stop Zod and have Keaton and Calle survive and continue on in that timeline. Maybe have Barry prime die. Idk. I did enjoy it but would have liked some changes. I hope this isn't the last time we see Michael Keaton as Batman but I'm not gonna hold my breath.
The post credits scene should’ve with a silhouette of Ezera Miller, George Clooney, Chris O’Donnell, and Alicia Silverstone running into the camera just like they did in Batman and Robin with Elliot Goldenthal’s theme blaring in the background. It would’ve been great. It’s a shame Joel Schumacher didn’t live to see George’s cameo. But it’s cool that Warner Bros is honoring his legacy.
Been waiting for this one since I saw the movie Cody!
I saw the movie and really dug it! Keaton was amazing! Zod and Supergirl and a lot of fun surprises in the film! It was great. Batflack was fire! Ron Livingston was less better than Billy Crudup, but still good. But there are three very noticeable flaws to this movie in my eyes:
3. The director did spoil some of the biggest surprises in the movie! What was he thinking?! 2. Andy is a good director that clearly is very bad at picking his CGI and special effects team. The CGI in “It”(both parts) was and here it was even worse here… I always wanted Batman Vs Clayface or Manbat but since Andy is the worst director when it comes to CGI, I’ll pass. 1. For me the movie was great DESPITE of Ezra Miller and not BECAUSE of him. I thought he was annoying as both characters. The fact that they didn’t fired him or even condemned his actions is really not helping. But it’s not just because of his actions, mainly because I don’t like his acting… he was way too goofy and jokey for my taste. Not to talk about the other Barry which was way more awful! I can’t buy him being the hero… sorry!
I would give this movie an 7.5/10 but it would have at least a 8.5/10 if not for horrible CGI and Ezra
Great review, but Future Barry wasn't supposed to be Reverse Flash at all. There are multiple speedsters within the comics and just throughout media. THAT Flash is very similar to Savitar within the CW Show, but I'm not aware of any figures similar to that in the comics.
I agree though, would've been intresting to learn who had murdered Barry's father. Even have some sort of Reverse Flash presence. 🤷♂
Man of steel was close to a masterpiece. It really sucks we didnt have a sequel
They had the perfect origin story to build a universe, but because it didn’t make 1B at the box office, they panicked and kept course correcting. MOS made 668M in 2013, which is about 800M+ today. WB would kill for a DCEU movie to make 800M today. They screwed up.
The problem with the plot point of placing the can of tomatoes in the cart, so his father is home, is it could have gone very wrong, he could have lost both parents to the killer or things could have flipped, and the dad was killed and the mother was blamed. He also doesn't learn from his mistakes at the end either, and changes things to help his father, which results in Batman turning into George Clooney. The CGI shocked me at the start so much, I nearly walked out of the cinema. I'm glad I stuck with it, there's a lot to enjoy but it's not the greatest DC movie of all time as people are boasting it is, it's not even in the top 10. DC fans deserved better than this. Its good, its just not great. At least Michael Keaton and Sasha Calle were great in it, even though Sasha was underused. Shame we didn't get the original ending where Michael Keaton is still Batman, hence he was coming back again in the unreleased Batgirl film, and Batman Beyond that will never come out either. It has problems, but it's a fun popcorn flick. 3 1/2 out of 5, for me.
Nicolas cage superman was unexpected, but my theater went crazy!
That moment when young Barry finds out why older Barry went into the past didn’t show him progressing and grow a bit didn’t work for you? AND ultimately does what he does for older Barry?
Idk hear what your saying but it basically worked for me.
There's an animated dc movie with the same premise so it DOES MAKE SENSE cuz it's also a different time line
Flashpoint
Michael Gough a.k.a. Keaton's Alfred didn't die until sometime in the 2010's. He was in Sleepy Hollow, Alice in Wonderland, Corpse Bride and several other projects after Batman & Robin.
Gotcha. I knew he had passed away which was the only point I was making.
@Cody Leach Not being a Burton fan, I'm not surprised that one slipped by you. But, I'm generally with you on this film. It's not anywhere near the travesty people are making it out to be. Despite the first 15 minutes or so being a little rough and a couple of missed opportunities and botched executions, it's a solid movie and easily a top 3 DCEU film.
Shame that James Gunn is going to throw it all away. Maybe if Ezra weren't such a lunatic, things could have been different.
the christopher reeves superman cameo was the best so awesome and 89 batman michael keaton was awesome and nicholas cage superman cameo wow it was a good movie for what it was since there not continuing it could have been a great trilogy for the flash was also awesome with supergirl battling general zod was epic and the wonderwoman cameo was awesome
I feel like Current Barry has an arc where he becomes more mature both thru the experience and through dealing with himself who has a mother but takes it for granted
Great review Cody. I was intending to see the film especially due to Michael Keaton. But with everything that went on with Ezra I couldn't bring myself to go and see it.
Oh I never got that he changed things again in the post credit scene. I figured he was just venting what happened to drunk aquaman
For me, the two biggest issues that plague this film from the outside are:
1). We live in a post-Last Jedi world, a warped, Bizarro era where studios are literately p!$$ing millions into the wind to wage a war on their paying customers. They are literally manufacturing their own issues, the reactions to their own issues, and what half-@$$ed solutions there have been to their own issues. A few years of this now have worn the movie-going audience and their patience and willingness to spend money quite thin. And while there weren't any forced identity politics or anything like that in this film, it was still victimized by it from the outside with Ezra Miller getting a free pass on all of their many ponderous crimes because of his affiliation with certain communities. I can see people not wanting to spend their money supporting a person like the one Ezra's been of late or the company that willingly continues to support them.
2). James Gunn/WB killing the Snyderverse and doing Henry Cavill, Gal Gadot, and Ben Affleck the way they did two films before this one's release. This is a big one. Bigger than some give it credit for. Nobody's going to waste money on this if it isn't going anywhere thereafter. I spent the money because of my love for Batman '89/'Returns', and even though Keaton was amazing in this film, it's still a dead end street, and James Gunn/WB still cut ALL of its legs off before it even had a chance to stand upright.
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Cody does a real great 👍 Job reviewing movies
I think in Flash with the babies they were trying to top Quicksilver in the X-Men movies
You didn't mention superhero movie fatigue as a potential reason for The Flash's underperformance, which IMO is probably the biggest single reason other than everything going on directly with Ezra Miller.
I actually thought the plot with supergirl was pretty good. The fact that superman already beat the Kryptonians in another timeline already happened. To see zod actually win was different but kinda neat. This wouldn't have worked with superman so it needed to be this way. I loved seeing Christopher reeves superman with the 80s supergirl was awesome. Honestly they should have just stuck with Keaton at the end.
I DO have the nostalgia for Batman '89 and I still agree with you that Thomas Wayne Batman would have made some great story telling.
I think this movie would have hit harder if Michael Keaton batman was a total surprise till u watch the movie but they spoiled it in the trailer . No way home hit harder because there was rumors circling about Tobey but they never let it slip in the marketing . So actually watching him appear in the movie was awesome
I liked the movie but having the first flash movie be flashpoint was a bad idea. I would've prefered to see the flash fight someone like mirror master or someone like that with cool visual powers that's from his own rogues gallery without being reverse flash so it's not another "the same but evil" villain, a leave flashpoint for a sequel, and just like captain america civil war was avengers 2.5 make flashpoint kind of a crossover movie as well.
The only good thing about making flashpoint the first movie is that they were able to make a flash origin story while at the same time it's not. They kinda had their cake and ate it too.
This is such a great and thorough review Cody. I think the main reason I’m not going to see this film in theaters is because of all the things you talked about at the end of the video. For one, I’m not a fan of Ezra and I just feel like there is no reason to see it because DC is reseting soon anyways.
20:04 I couldn't take the DCEU Zod seriously as a villain. He was supposedly genetically engineered to be a warrior but in Man of Steel's opening he's beaten by Jor-El, a scientist with no fighting experience.
I was okay with the confusing implications of some things, like the Clooney cameo for the very reason that the universe is over so it didn't matter at all, it was just a fun gag...and Clooney wasn't even the funny part, it was the well placed F-bomb "Who the fuck is this guy??"... Miller might be a weirdo but he had a couple good deliveries.
Yeah this movie felt so disappointing because damn it I love the flash character and I really wanted this movie to be perfection but man oh man I was let down which is just sad and depressing at least in my opinion.
Where my loyal Cody leach fans at ? #CodyClub
Im on board. But clearly the fans should be called "leaches"
R.I.P Big John if it wasn't for him I would have never known about Nic Cage