The Flash is self-defeating. An emotional core pops up, but from a backseat to suffocating fan service. Character development is rushed and blunt. Themes of determinism and moral responsibility are contradicted. All the substance feels more like an obligation than the script's motivation. This is especially unfortunate because the personal conflict has potential. Instead, this film gets bogged down in yet another multiverse plot that becomes an excuse for endless nostalgia bait. There's acting range, workable humor, intimate obstacles, and payoff. Still, The Flash's superfluous intentions make it a disjointed product. Ultimately, it's cliche, convoluted, predictable, and tiring.
Technically, The Flash is erratic. Its overstuffed story confuses the tone. The imagery uses movement and some framing, yet devolves into bland clutter. Its editing has serviceable touches, but its overlong runtime fumbles momentum. The sound provides risers, action, muting, and echoes. Its music is mostly generic outside of the classic Elfman score. The production design throws together recognizable callbacks but sometimes looks cheap and downright ugly. Its casting cameo parade has diminishing returns and Miller is a distraction. Lastly, the effects are unnecessarily reliant on glossy CGI. Like many blockbusters, The Flash values quantity of merchandising over quality of drama.
Writing: 4/10
Direction: 4/10
Cinematography: 5/10
Acting: 7/10
Editing: 5/10
Sound: 7/10
Score/Soundtrack: 6/10
Production Design: 6/10
Casting: 8/10
Effects: 5/10
Overall Score: 5.7/10
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