DC fans are a heterogeneous bunch. Some look back at the past decade of cinematic attempts as embarrassments with occasional reprieves. Others want the studio's new leadership swiftly removed and replaced with the old guard. The Flash represents the last hope of a dying cinematic universe. Unfortunately, if the critics are to be believed, it's neither good enough to deliver a proper eulogy nor bad enough for a clean kill.
How do critics affect ticket sales these days? Rotten Tomatoes scores seem to do little to convince an audience to see or skip a film. They're more useful as ammo when arguing on Twitter. However, if there are unconvinced viewers who want to go to their local cinema without a specific movie in mind, comparing critical scores might be the deciding factor. Critics dictate the legacy of a film, and their impact can still be substantial.
The Flash is neither great nor terrible, according to critics
According to critics on Rotten Tomatoes, The Flash is a strong six out of ten. 70% of critics surveyed felt that the film was "Fresh," meaning they awarded it a five or more out of ten. For a tentpole blockbuster, a superhero film pulling out every stop, that's not great. The audience is more forgiving, as always. The Flash is sitting at a 95% positive audience score, bearing in mind that the film isn't out at the time of writing. It's more of a crowd-pleaser than a critical darling. Anyone who has seen a trailer could say that. Metacritic has come to the same conclusion, coming up with a six out of ten score. The Flash is the third-best-rated film by Rotten Tomatoes score. That is a hilariously low bar. This film had far too much on its shoulders to come down with a six out of ten average.
A middling movie can be worse than a bad one
Which films released under the DCEU umbrella have sparked the most conversation? Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justiceand The Suicide Squad. The Snyder Cut ranks among those films but for very different reasons. BvS holds a proud 29% on Rotten Tomatoes, while The Suicide Squad earned 90%. Dawn of Justice is a genre-defining disaster. It's the apotheosis of Zack Snyder's toxic influence on the industry. Every element sparked hatred from all but the most devoted Snyder fans. It's been seven years since the film hit theaters, and it's still a beautiful monument to all of DC's worst impulses. The Suicide Squad represents the influence of James Gunn, the new head of the studio. It's bold, unique, anarchic, and above all else, enjoyable. Both of these films are incredibly polarizing, but the strong reactions they inspire make them important as pieces of art.
Even the most ardent Snyder supporter sees the creative vision behind The Suicide Squad. They despise it, but they can articulate its unique aspects. The same is true for Zack Snyder's loudest detractor. His directorial vision is unmistakable, even to those it disgusts. The Flash seems to inspire far more tepid reactions than either of those earlier DC products. Words like "banal," "convoluted," and "cynical" are thrown around far more often than any praise or specific condemnation. Almost every review specifically mentions the film's overwhelming reliance on nostalgia. For better or worse, the critics seem to say The Flash has stuff fans will remember. Maybe it's fun. Maybe it's boring. Either way, the most consistent element of criticism is the flatly true statement that The Flash contains many callbacks and references to other IPs owned by Warner Bros. Hard to believe that audience members would have an easier time loving a film that seems to do nothing but remind them of their other favorite films.
Warner may be setting up its DCEU ending
The end is already here for the DCEU. Under James Gunn's leadership, this phase of the franchise will gracefully cease to exist and be wholly replaced by the DCU. The Flash feels like the dying sputters of the DCEU. Every idea that ever crossed a studio executive's head is played out on screen. Every reference they didn't get the chance to use is packed into the trailer or spoiled on Twitter. Its unimpressive critical response belies the truth of the fallen titan. It's like someone haunting their own funeral to see if anyone's sad about their death. Maybe they'd come back or at least stick around in some form if people really mourned hard. They didn't, so staying dead seems like the smartest option.
The Flash could've been celebrated as a masterful send-off to a complicated film franchise. It could've allowed a universe marked by cynicism and failure to go out on a high note. It could also have doubled down on all the franchise's worst traits, held a magnifying glass up to the faults, and inspired the fans to applaud its execution. The Flash did neither. Perhaps a six out of ten is a fitting end for a cinematic universe of threes and nines.