The Flash first reactions call Ezra Miller film 'tremendous,' 'as good as rumored'
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Those attending CinemaCon in Las Vegas this year were among the first to see The Flash, DC's upcoming multiverse-shattering superhero flick featuring the return of Ezra Miller as the Scarlet Speedster, Barry Allen.
Following the screening Tuesday night, attendees took to social media to share their responses in what felt like a litmus test that paid off.
EW's Lauren Huff said The Flash "sticks the landing" and "is a riot from start to finish" after teasing an opening sequence "that truly needs to be seen to be believed." She tweeted, "No wonder WB is confident on this one - it's a hit."
To share what makes the #TheFlash special would be to spoil it. Go in as blind as possible. It sticks the landing, begins with a sequence that truly needs to be seen to be believed, and is a riot from start to finish. No wonder WB is confident on this one - it's a hit.
— Lauren Huff (@_LaurenHuff) April 26, 2023
Fandango's Erik Davis called the film "tremendous." He tweeted, "Forget DC, it is without a doubt among the best superhero films ever made." The good vibes kept coming as press from a variety of outlets described the movie as "fantastic," "one of the very best DC movies," and "as good as rumored."
Collider's Perri Nemiroff wrote The Flash is "a successful mix of heartfelt coming-of-age components, stellar action (really loved the style of Flash's powers & the creativity in those scenes), and a whole bunch of BIG laughs."
Warner Bros. Pictures Ezra Miller stars in 'The Flash' as Barry Allen
The Flash, directed by It filmmaker Andy Muschietti, takes inspiration from the 2011 Flashpoint comic book arc. Barry uses the speed force in order to travel back in time and prevent his mom from dying. In doing so, he creates a reality in which General Zod (Michael Shannon returning from Man of Steel) invades Earth and there are no superheroes to stand against him.
Michael Keaton, the Batman of Tim Burton's cinematic era, plays the Dark Knight in this new reality. Barry must coax him out of retirement, and save a captive Kryptonian (Sasha Calle's Supergirl) to make things right.
DC Studios co-head James Gunn had enthusiastically declared The Flash to be "a fantastic movie" that "resets the entire DC universe." The fact that Warner Bros. decided to screen the movie at CinemaCon certainly speaks to the studio's confidence in the work. (Remember when Paramount screened Top Gun: Gun Maverick at last year's event?) Despite all the excitement, there's still the Miller factor looming over the title.
After various legal skirmishes — including multiple arrests, allegations of harassing minors, and a burglary lawsuit — Miller (who uses they/them pronouns) said in a rare statement last August that they had begun treatment for "complex mental issues." Will these events impact an audience's decision to watch The Flash?
When it comes to Miller's future as the Flash on screen, Peter Safran, the other co-head of DC Studios, has said, "When the time is right, when they feel like they're ready to have the discussion, we'll all figure out what the best path forward is. But right now, they are completely focused on their recovery. And in our conversations with them over the last couple of months, it feels like they're making enormous progress."
The Flash opens in theaters June 16. See the first reactions below.
Caught an unfinished cut of #TheFlash and dug it quite a bit! Especially how the narrative challenges Barry to confront who he is, who he could have become, and how one’s influenced by the people in (or not in) their life.
It’s a successful mix of heartfelt coming-of-age… pic.twitter.com/CB7mTDEZXC— Perri Nemiroff (@PNemiroff) April 26, 2023
DC’s #TheFlash is TREMENDOUS! Forget DC, it is without a doubt among the best superhero films ever made. An all-timer. Inventive storytelling, FANTASTIC action sequences, great cast. SO MANY nerdy details. I’m in tears at the end. Everything you want from a superhero film & more pic.twitter.com/xYSn0zuXMm
— Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) April 26, 2023
THE FLASH: far more madcap than I expected. Really nailed what reading a 5-issue crossover comic book is like. Tons of Ezra Miller being zany and time paradox stuff. Nerds will lose their minds at the ending. And beginning and middle. Comics!
— Jordan Hoffman (@jhoffman) April 26, 2023
Yup. #TheFlash is as good as rumored. It’s Back to the Future meets Spider-Man: No Way Home with all the humor & heart of the former and action and surprises of the latter. If anything, it might be a tad too ambitious but it’s also just incredibly satisfying, heartwarming & fun. pic.twitter.com/Yysb9mjiAm
— Germain Lussier (@GermainLussier) April 26, 2023
Nostalgic. HILARIOUS. With tons of heart and two outstanding performances by Ezra Miller. I honestly can’t believe #TheFlash actually exists. It’s magical. It presses every button. I’ll see it 1,000 times. pic.twitter.com/hhT6dXz6PO
— Sean O'Connell (@Sean_OConnell) April 26, 2023
I didn't know what to make of the hype before The Flash, but WOW. The movie is an absolute blast from end to end. It's hilarious, thrilling, emotional, and surprising. What an incredible way to launch the next chapter of DC movies. Get excited! pic.twitter.com/4kvf1hWeih
— Eric Eisenberg (@eeisenberg) April 26, 2023
#TheFlash is pretty great, and it makes sense to me now why DC didn't shelve this one. Michael Keaton is ... chef's kiss. I didn't realize how much I needed Keaton's Batman in my life again. Some really emotional moments here. Sasha Calle is awesome - I want to see more of her! pic.twitter.com/2DYhSKMfyI
— Jenna Busch (@JennaBusch) April 26, 2023
#TheFlash is fantastic. I know Ezra Miller has made a lot of mistakes but they are soooooo good in this movie. Loved Keaton, the action, humor and emotion. Andy Muschietti has crafted something special. Thumbs way up.
WB didn’t show the after the credits scenes. pic.twitter.com/J8KsdrKVwz— Steven Weintraub (@colliderfrosty) April 26, 2023
THE FLASH is awesome! One of the very best DC movies, a perfect blend of action, heart & humor! So many WOW & chill-inducing moments that longtime DC fans will love! EZRA MILLER is superb (twice, actually!) & MICHAEL KEATON’s still got it! #TheFLASH #BATMAN #CinemaCon pic.twitter.com/mYJrz7YUZG
— Scott Mantz 🖖 (@MovieMantz) April 26, 2023
The Flash is very good. If that’s the last we see of Keaton and Affleck’s Batman’s they went out on a high. Miller is great. Zero end credit scenes. The film ended after director title card. #CinemaCon
— Gregory Ellwood - CinemaCon - The Playlist 🎬 (@TheGregoryE) April 26, 2023
Just watched #TheFlash at CinemaCon. It has some stuff in it you will not believe and it showcases much more of Barry Allen’s powers. It is indeed one of DC’s best and fits nicely as a bridge story between the old and new DCEU franchises. It’s also the funniest DC movie. pic.twitter.com/uDepMKVVG1
— Rob Keyes (@rob_keyes) April 26, 2023
Yeah, #TheFlash is legit great! It delivers some notably thrilling, fun and creative moments I felt I hadn’t seen in a million other superhero movies. It had me smiling from the Warner Bros. logo at the top and I even dug stuff inspired by movies I wasn’t into. pic.twitter.com/B5vFyFBBcl
— Eric Goldman (@TheEricGoldman) April 26, 2023
#TheFlash is very good, especially given how oversaturated we are with multiverse stories.
It’s a really savvy, charming take on Flashpoint that effectively wields nostalgia rather than weaponizing it. Some genuinely delightful set pieces too! pic.twitter.com/0GXZhW6vQi— Dan Casey (@DanCasey) April 26, 2023
#TheFlash is def not the best superhero movie ever made, so let’s get that out of the way, but it’s an impressive DC movie with lots of emotion and loads of surprises #CinemaCon pic.twitter.com/gVM7orXPdj
— Jason Guerrasio (@JasonGuerrasio) April 26, 2023
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