Despite the glowing advance reviews, "The Flash" is not the best superhero film of all time, the year, or even the month. But it is definitely a good movie overall. The humor is mostly spot on, the effects are impressive, and Ezra Miller is consistently convincing in the lead role. Michael Keaton still fits the Batman mantle pretty well, and Sasha Calle also delivers an excellent first impression as Supergirl. On top of that, of course, there are some neat cameos.
The pacing of the film isn't bad, either. It starts with a really entertaining sequence before the time travel plot picks up speed. The plot is comprehensible throughout and, above all, not as overly convoluted as in many other genre representatives. However, "The Flash" also has the usual problem of similar stories, that the fate of the characters never really gets to your heart, since it is not crucial for the "canon" anyway. But there is no such thing in the dying DCU anyway. In addition, there is not really a good villain, but then again, none was really needed here.
Overall, I would say that "The Flash" is neither a good conclusion to the old DCEU nor a good transition into the new DCU. You can still have a good time at the cinema, though, as the film works on its own and should appeal to fans of old DC works as well.
What can you say? It's the "Let's Go To The Mall" episode. It combines a legitimate relationship story with Ted and Robin (where Ted is a little insufferable and Robin is a little unreasonable), with the goofy weirdness of the Slap Bet, and culminates in one of the strangest, funniest, and most memorable bits in the series's history. Ted & Robin's story gets a little too exaggerated at times. Ted is kind of a jerk for telling the secret and should have been far more honest and direct with Robin. But then Robin does get on a big high horse about Ted asking if she's married (a less than crazy assurance to seek, even if she didn't want to explain the mall situation) and then lying to him about it. But even if the resolution's a little too tidy, there's a sweetness to it and it can enjoy the halo effect of the ensuing pop song.
The Slap Bet, on the other hand, is pure delight, from Barney's overconfidence, to Marshall's weepiness after getting slapped, to Lily's megalomania but concomitant sense of honor as the Slap Bet Commissioner. I had forgotten how much the episode leans into the idea that Robin's secret is a past career in adult films, but the entire slap bet subplot is one of those trademark, genuine-feeling games among friends that helped HIMYM stand out from the crowd among hangout sitcoms, and it would be the gift that kept on giving.
