Recommends

Forensic police investigator Barry Allen (Ezra Miller) will be familiar to those who saw Justice League, when the fast-talking, and even faster-moving hero joined up with Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman.

This time, the speedster has to forge other alliances when he decides to travel back in time to prevent his mother's murder. Rightly, Batman (Ben Affleck) warns him against potential disaster – and as timelines cross, chaos descends. "I completely broke the universe," gulps Barry, who inadvertently creates a world with no meta-humans.

It means there is no one to defend us against Superman's former nemesis, the resurrected General Zod (Michael Shannon). Forced to enlist his younger self to help, Barry also connects with Kryptonian castaway Supergirl, aka Kara Zor-El (Sasha Calle) and a Batman of old – with Michael Keaton reprising the role he played in Tim Burton's landmark movies. 

Directed by Andy Muschietti, who made the brilliant two-part Stephen King adaptation, It, The Flash is a superhero ensemble that embraces the best of the genre. Behind the camera is the hugely talented British cinematographer Henry Braham, who has recently shot Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2 and the just-released Vol. 3, as well as The Suicide Squad. Scripted by Christina Hodson, who penned the script for the Harley Quinn standalone movie Birds Of Prey (2020), the film smartly mixes fast-paced action and humour.

Miller's quick wit, already ably demonstrated in Justice League, fits perfectly here – especially in scenes featuring two Barry Allens. 

The Flash takes hold of the idea of alternate universes and runs with it (very quickly!). Better yet, it's a family drama packed with emotion, as Barry reaches out to protect the one woman who matters to him more than any other. The Flash is back: make sure that you catch him at Picturehouse cinemas (while you can).    James Mottram

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The Flash is in cinemas from 15 June, with previews on 14 June — Book Now