When it comes to superheroes published by DC Comics, the characters of Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman are clearly above the rest in terms of both popularity and familiarity. However, DC’s latest animated film shifts the spotlight towards a character who has not had as many adaptations to his name: Barry Allen, also known as the Flash. Indeed, the latest addition to the growing list of DC Universe Animated Films revolves around the Scarlet Speedster, and his battle with his arch-nemesis, the diabolical Professor Zoom.
‘Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox’ centers around Barry Allen, who one day, seemingly wakes up in an alternate universe. In this strange new world, he has no powers, his deceased mother is alive, and many of the people he once knew have drastically changed: Batman has turned into a cold-hearted sociopath, Superman has disappeared, and many of his old villains have become heroes. Furthermore, Wonder Woman and Aquaman are at war with one another and threaten the survival of mankind itself. In this twisted world on the brink of destruction, Barry must discover what caused this new version of reality to come into being, and figure out a way to turn things back to the way they were. The film is an adaptation of the comic arc ‘Flashpoint’, and was released direct-to-DVD on July 31, 2013.
The movie is an exciting, action-packed ride filled with plenty of epic confrontations and clever plot twists to keep the audience on the edge of their seat. It excels in many aspects, one of which is its deep plot and unique characterization. The story is interesting, capitalizing on an intriguing premise. It is also just the right balance between complex and shallow; the audience will not get lost in the film’s twists and turns, nor will they feel ‘brain-dead’, as might sometimes be the case. The movie’s plot is complemented by its interesting characterization of many iconic characters; several household names are given new origins or personalities, and are looked at from a completely different perspective. These things work hand-in-hand to make ‘Flashpoint’ an extremely interesting watch.
Another thing the movie excels in is its fast-paced action sequences. The movie is filled to the brim with intense confrontations between heroes, villains, monsters, and everything in between. The film’s climax, which is an epic all-out confrontation involving all sides in the story, is an excellent example of the movie’s hard-hitting fight scenes. These scenes tend to leave those watching on the edge of their seats, watching with anticipation to see which superpowered icon will prevail over the other.
Finally, the film excels on a technical basis as well. It is animated beautifully, to the point where character’s emotions are perfectly portrayed and captured. The previously mentioned fight sequences are also complemented by the amazing animation, allowing the fast paced action to come off as smooth and fluid. Finally, the voice acting used in the film was also of excellent quality. Lesser known voice actors like Justin Chambers and C. Thomas Howell combine with more well-known names, such as Ron Perlman and Kevin Conroy to create a diverse blend of voices that capture the wide array of personalities on screen perfectly.
However, the movie is not without faults. There are several small distractions to be found, such as the excessive use of violence and gore. Some scenes show unnecessary graphic close-ups of gunshots, sword wounds, and other similar injuries that can be jarring and unappealing. Some viewers, especially those that do not read the comics, may also find the large cast of characters confusing. This is a movie where it is better to come in with some background knowledge.
Still, despite the minor flaws, the movie is still an excellent watch, with plenty of action to go around, and more than its fair share of plot twists. Barry Allen’s journey is, even with a few hitches, still one that is both intriguing and entertaining. ‘Flashpoint’ is definitely worth catching, and is a must-watch for any comic book fan.
