The Flash Director’s Shocking Claim: Why He’s Dead Wrong About the Movie’s Failure

In the comics, The Flash has consistently been a top-tier DC character; you’d think this would translate to the movie universe as well. However, director Andy Muschietti seems to disagree, and for various reasons. Most recently, he stated that the low audience numbers were due to The Flash’s popularity being insignificant, and it doesn’t resonate with the general public. If you ponder this and compare it to movies about characters like Batman and Superman, you might understand his perspective. Both are iconic DC figures who have been portrayed numerous times on the big screen, making it easier to attract a large audience. Yet, The Flash’s failure isn’t primarily because of this.

As a film enthusiast, I must confess that the latest installment left me, and many others, feeling less than satisfied. A subpar script and questionable CGI were some factors contributing to this disappointment. Moreover, the controversy surrounding Ezra Miller didn’t help the marketing efforts. However, it’s crucial to acknowledge that the Flash (Barry Allen) is far from incapable of delivering a blockbuster hit. Ever since his inception, he has stood tall as one of DC’s cornerstones, shaping the universe’s history significantly. Perhaps Muschietti underestimated this iconic character’s potential impact.

Why Andy Muschietti Is Wrong About His View on The Flash‘s Failure

In a nutshell, The Flash movie garnered a 63% rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, while fans gave it an 82%. Though this gap isn’t massive, it might seem lackluster when considering the film’s worldwide box office earnings of approximately $260 million for a superhero flick. As Director Muschietti stated, “The movie didn’t appeal to all four demographic quadrants.”

However, it’s crucial to note that although this film isn’t solely an origin story (as the character was previously introduced in the DCEU), it is still intriguing due to its foundation in the Flashpoint comic – a significant tale for fans of the Scarlet Speedster. Nevertheless, the concept alone wasn’t sufficient, and the script required more development to fully captivate audiences.

To add to this, Muschietti noted that Barry Allen’s character in the superhero realm isn’t particularly popularly adored. However, contrary to this, The CW’s TV show, “The Flash,” has been running strong for nearly a decade with nine seasons, impressive ratings, and recognition from awards catering to its audience. Moreover, as stated by USA Today in 2015, about 40% of the series’ viewers were female, which goes against the director’s claim that “The Flash” primarily has male fans.

The issue of superhero fatigue, which arose when DC and Marvel’s productions suffered, was cited by Muschietti as a factor contributing to the film’s poor performance at the box office. However, this argument has been disproven lately as the hype for upcoming films in this genre remains strong – evidently, the teaser trailer for Superman set new records.

Beyond this, The Flash is often recognized as symbolizing “speeding at the pace of light,” even among those who aren’t avid fans of superheroes. Barry Allen, a member of the Justice League, may not initially seem captivating enough for an individual film, but if you suggest that he lacks intrigue for such a treatment, it indicates a lack of comprehension about the superhero realm you’re attempting to portray.

There seems to be one point where both the director and fans concur: Miller’s casting as the character was not without controversy. In fact, he had been entangled in controversies long before the movie’s release, including multiple arrests, allegations of harassment and aggressive behavior, and public incidents that stirred up a storm of repercussions. This negative publicity not only harmed his personal reputation but also hindered the promotion of the film significantly. It’s evident that the marketing of a blockbuster like Deadpool & Wolverine plays a crucial role in attracting viewers.

What Really Went Wrong With The Flash

The Flash, being part of the DC Extended Universe (DCEU), was initially a franchise that seemed to be on a steady path towards annual collapse. The primary factor contributing to its deviation is arguably the accumulation of productions, which has undeniably affected quality. As time progressed, it became evident that the DC Universe prioritized quantity over quality.

Regarding The Flash, it’s essential to recall that the film was initially slated for a 2020 release but was postponed due to the pandemic and screenwriters’ strike, which could have led to a hasty completion. Consequently, the script, as many critics have pointed out, was approved with significant flaws.

In the eyes of most critics, the adapted story fell short in several aspects: it was confusing, lacked emotional depth, offered a superficial take on time travel, and even forced character interactions.

Connected to this issue is the inconsistent tone of the story, as some viewers found it challenging to maintain its comedic aspect consistently. Initially, The Flash was intended to have a humorous touch with comical scenes and character interactions. However, the storyline also required more serious and dramatic moments at certain points, which proved difficult to execute smoothly without appearing odd or contrived. This inconsistency affected other aspects such as editing, leading to another significant problem often criticized by viewers: the CGI.

Muschietti intentionally designed this section, with the unusual editing receiving particular focus by critics, to make viewers experience events from Barry’s viewpoint. For instance, the scene where the hero rescues babies as a building crumbles was meant to appear slightly distorted in terms of lighting and texture, but some fans didn’t buy it and saw it as an explanation rather than an artistic choice.

It’s been acknowledged that The Flash has faced various issues, which have inevitably resulted in unfavorable outcomes. This isn’t due to the character not resonating with audiences or failing to appeal to the masses. Instead, it’s largely because the narrative and script were found wanting, particularly within the superhero genre where the storyline is paramount. However, now that James Gunn is spearheading the new DCU, there’s a fantastic opportunity for The Flash to be reinvigorated and given a fresh start.

The Flash is available to stream on Netflix.

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2025-01-18 17:09