Warner Bros The Flash has been floating through different stages of development since 2014. With Ezra Miller already cast as the The Scarlet Speedster, finding a director was the studio’s biggest obstacle getting this film made.

Director Andy Muschietti (It, It: Chapter Two, and Mama), best known for horror, was tapped to team with Ezra tell the iconic Flashpoint story.

Fans familiar with the Flashpoint comic or the critically acclaimed The Flashpoint Paradox are familiar with the story. In this multiverse adventure, Barry Allen ( Ezra Miller) is still haunted by his mother’s murder and the subsequent wrongful imprisonment of his father. He decides to travel back in time and save his mother. However, saving his mother has unintended consequences aka there are no more superheroes.

Flash ends up in an alternate 2013 where he finds his younger self. In an attempt to get 2013 Barry superpowers, Flash loses his powers. As if things couldn’t get worse, Flash sees Zod’s (Michael Shannon) announcement on TV – a recreation of the events in 2013’s Man of Steel. No superheroes means no Justice League. The only person who can help is their alternate universes’ Batman (Michael Keaton). Flash is convinced there is a Superman in this timeline and they’ll need his help to defeat Zod before millions are killed. Flash, 2013 Barry, and Batman are on a search for Superman so they can defeat Zod before he destroys Earth.

The film borrows heavily from the Flashpoint comic but lacks plot points that made that story interesting. In the comic (and animated film), Flash meets different versions of Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Batman, and even The Joker. In this film, Flash meets different people playing a similar version of a character – it doesn’t have the same impact. Fans of Keaton’s 89 Batman are in for a treat. There are a few callbacks and familiar set pieces that will bring all the nostalgia flooding back. It helps that Keaton can still play a badass Batman after all these years.

The highlights in the film are Ezra playing two different versions of the same character. The performances are so good and distinct; it’s easy to forget one actor is playing both roles. It’s a reminder why Ezra was cast in this role and why WB released this film under the weight of all of Ezra’s recent antics. Ezra has true star potential in this role, it’s a bummer we may never see Ezra in that suit again.

The film’s breakout performance comes via Sasha Calle as Supergirl aka Kara. She gives a fantastic performance in her feature film debut. Her performance gives us a glimpse at what a Kryptonian that didn’t grow up like Superman would be like. One of the big failures of this film is not giving Supergirl more screen time. Also, Calle looks incredible in the Supergirl costume – like she was born to play this role. I could see Calle dawning the suit and cape for years to come. The Supergirl action scenes are some of the film’s best moments. I hope James Gunn keeps this character around for future movies.

If you’re a fan of CW’s The Flash, you’ve already seen some powers and abilities The Flash shows off. Multiversal storytelling isn’t new. The Flash’s powers aren’t new. Yet, they found a way to make this film fun and interesting.  

The emotional connection in this film is Flash trying to save his mother. It’s easy to get lost in all the multiverse madness, but this film is about a boy’s love for his mother and what he’s willing to do to save her. The film is bookended by The Flash’s love for his mom with all the superhero stuff sandwiched in-between

The Flash is an entertaining time at the movies. It’s a big popcorn film that’s fun when it needs to be and still has space to tell a heartfelt story about a boy and his mom. If James Gunn and Warner Bros can build on this, they may have an opportunity to create the DC Cinematic Universe fans have been clamoring for.

Grade: B-