I Went And Saw The Flash As A Casual DC Viewer, And I Have Some Thoughts About General Zod, Michael Keaton And More
While I consider myself a fan of the Marvel world, when it comes to DC movies, I’m more of a casual viewer. This means that every time a new movie comes out about Batman or Wonder Woman I have to figure out if I need to go back and do some homework. Looking at the 2023 movie schedule and the list of upcoming DC movies, I was really pondering The Flash, and if I’d be able to keep up with it — having not seen a movie with Ezra Miller’s speedster in it since the theatrical Justice League came out. So, for science, and your viewing pleasure, I went and saw The Flash as a casual DC viewer. Needless to say, I left the movie with some thoughts. First, it’s worth noting there are some major moments that weren’t as meaningful to me as they will be to those who have seen the DC movies in order over the years. With that being said, let’s break down why a casual viewer will enjoy this movie about the Scarlet Speedster, but also why it might not pack the same punch as it will for longtime fans of the comic book universe.
Why Seeing The Flash Made Me Nervous
Now that we seem to live in a world where there are so many multiverse movies in any given year, there’s always a question – at least in my mind – about whether I can really understand a movie or not. This is especially true for projects that are part of an established franchise. The Flash makes me nervous; I really don’t know if I will get it.
While I’ve seen most of the movies DC has released at least once, I haven’t re-watched any of them. I know quite a bit about The Flash from working in the entertainment industry, but the thought of watching a movie that deals with the intricacies of a universe I barely understand seems daunting. However, I am pleased to announce that even if you enter The Flash blindly, you will not be completely lost.
The film clearly sets out Barry Allen’s dilemma of wanting to save his mother, and it’s clear from the start that this is the driving force behind the rift in the multiverse. From there, we’re transported to a whole new universe where young Barry lives, and he’s just as perplexed as we normal viewers at understanding the broader DC Universe. So beginners are welcome, but I still have some thoughts on some of the confusing things.
Why Having Young Barry Be Confused Will Work For Casual Fans
Because Young Barry was so confused, he forced Older Barry (who was a former Justice League participant) to explain everything that happened, which is very helpful for viewers like me. These two Barrys work as a great way to explain a complex presentation, and that’s one of the main reasons why this movie is so easy to understand for people who haven’t spent a lot of time learning about the DC universe.
However, while this movie is staged in a way your average movie buff might associate it with, it’s also a project clearly made with lifelong DC fans in mind. . I think our own Nick Venable summed it up beautifully in his review of The Flash when he wrote: Flash thrives on sticking to the surrounding DC traditions, rather than the overly complicated stuff. Don’t get me wrong, this is a complicated movie and you should at least have a basic knowledge of the characters. However, I think you’ll enjoy it if you’re not a huge fan of the series and are just looking for a fun summer blockbuster.
Still, Elements Like General Zod Were Tough To Keep Up With
There are elements of this movie that go through my head or leave me a little confused. That doesn’t really detract from the movie though, I’ve always understood the bigger story and what’s going on, it’s just meant about the film’s deeper meaning and how it fits into the Universe. DC, I’m a bit lost.
The first thing that confused me a bit was the use of General Zod. As someone who’s seen every superhero movie out at least once, it’s hard for me to remember every villain, especially the ones I don’t like. So considering Man of Steel came out ten years ago and Batman v. Superman came out 7 years ago and I’m not the biggest fan either, I can’t remember the role of General Zod.
Also, as someone who really doesn’t know the lore of Superman other than Zod being the big bad guy, I’ve lost its relevance to the DCEU. So when he showed up in The Flash, I was lost. In the end, the movie explained why he was important and enough for me to understand why he was such a deadly villain, but if you’re not a die-hard fan, moments like these may not be as effective as they are for other fans.
I Also Struggled A Bit With (But Loved) Michael Keaton’s Batman
I’m really no expert when it comes to DC, and I haven’t seen Batman or Batman Returns, so any references they made back to Michael Keaton’s Batman in The Flash flew right over my head for the most part. Although, he was my favorite part of the movie. So, if you are like me and aren’t caught up on the Dark Knight’s storied history but you like this actor, you’ll enjoy the role he plays in the movie.
And What’s Going On With The Snyderverse?
Overall, my biggest point of confusion came when I tried to figure out if The Flash honored the Snyderverse, and the DC movies that have come before it. While I still don’t really know the answer to that question personally, I do know that having more knowledge of the Snyderverse would have been useful.
While talking about the movie with a colleague, I learned that there was a mention of Zack Snyder’s Justice League. Also, obviously while watching the movie, there are some jokes and flashbacks that I don’t quite grasp, but opening night audiences found them hilarious — and that includes things like the end-of-line attribution of the film. The Flash.
In the end, it’s safe to say that if you’re just a casual DC movie buff, you’ll see The Flash without doing your homework first. To be honest, the film did a great job of giving us a plot that’s understandable to non-experts, but it also pays homage to longtime fans who’ve been waiting for a while. Been waiting for this movie for years, this is impressive. If you want to check out The Flash, no matter your level of DC expertise, you can see it right now in theaters.