Reviews are in for The Flash, with reactions ranging from “among the best superhero films ever made” to responses that promise an ambitious, nostalgic, heartfelt, and energetic DC film with a few flaws that hold it back from amounting to some of those more enthusiastic reactions.It was previously reported that the first screening of The Flash would be at CinemaCon. Warner Bros. Discovery prefaced the viewing by describing it as an unfinished cut, likely referring to the VFX. Despite the studio only having 6 or so weeks before its release to perfect it, The Flash has seen early reactions that echo previous sentiments from WBD that call it “one of DCs best.”With an embargo that no longer restricts media outlets, a range of reactions swarmed in describing The Flash as “super inventive both visually and in concept” and that “it fits nicely as a bridge story between the old and new DCEU franchises” amid the DCU reboot. Other critics have poked fun at their colleagues by stating that it is “not one of the greatest superhero movies ever” and detailing that the film's first half is better than the second. However, Ed Boon, the co-creator of Mortal Kombat and Injustice, describes The Flash as better than Wonder Woman and Aquaman, considered among the better DCEU films. Reviews state that Michael Keaton's Batman and Sasha Calle's Supergirl steal the show, while Ezra Miller is described as phenomenal, followed by "no, really" to avoid the reaction being taken as hyperbole. The film is also said to feature some of the best Ben Affleck Batman moments.
Overall, reactions are overwhelmingly positive, pointing at a few flaws that keep it from being the greatest superhero film. Then again, it doesn’t necessarily have to be, even if that is the narrative that Warner Bros. Discovery has spun around The Flash marketing campaign. Despite all the positive reception, fans wonder how this movie ends the Snyderverse when that aspect of its ending was called into question. A film critic stated that “it ends the Snyderverse in grand fashion” from a “philosophical” standpoint. It could be that instead of erasing the Snyderverse timeline, as some fans have feared, The Flash opens up the multiverse to other possibilities, encompassing the DCU reboot, and leaves the door open for Zack Snyder to one day finish his DC saga.
Early reactions should arguably be taken with a grain of salt, as press and media outlets are known to use hyperbolic statements that reflect their personal experience. Many of these critics calling The Flash the greatest superhero movie ever are the same ones that called Joss Whedon's 2017 studio cut of Justice Leaguebetter than Batman v Superman, Wonder Woman, and The Dark Knight and praised Thor: Love and Thunder as a classic, which is debatable. Even so, it looks like The Flash is, at the very least, a quality DC film that deserves to be seen on the big screen, as there is no denying the overabundance of positivity behind the early reactions.
The Flash premieres in theaters on June 16, 2023.