There have been so many paradoxes with The Flash, this film is somewhat more of a mess than what Barry Allen (Ezra Miller) made when he decided to travel back in time to save his mother: creating a timeline where there are no metahumans, no Superman, no Aquaman, no Wonder Woman, no Cyborg, no Justice League.
Nowhere near as good as the animated Flashpoint Paradox and the third season – and the entirely – of CW’s Flash with Grant Gustin as Central City’s Scarlet Speedster, the only reason to see this big-screen, live-action Flash is the return of Michael Keaton’s Batman after three decades, as this Caped Crusader suit up once more to help the Flash save the alternate world from domination by General Zod (Michael Shannon).
Helping them are Barry’s younger self and Kara Zor-El/Supergirl (Sasha Calle), who is also another bright spot in this film. After all, Supergirl represents hope like her Man of Steel cousin – something this film still needs.
The Flash can leave you in a dazed, hazed and confused like Barry, but does well throughout the middle, and it is all because of Keaton. This film should have been, could have been, would have been both a reboot and a fantastic flashpoint for the entire DCEU. The Flash had the potential to be the starting line for a live-action Batman Beyond film as well as Supergirl going on a solo flight with her own franchise, and so on.
In the end, you might say that The Flash became the villain for the DCEU.
The Flash is now streaming on Max. Rated PG-13. 2 hours, 24 minutes.