‘The Flash’ leaps through its hurdles

Director Andy Muschietti and his sister, producer Barbara Muschietti, have accomplished something super heroic: they successfully delivered one of the best DCEU (DC Extended Universe) films at a time when all these challenges, crises and obstacles just kept hurtling at the production.

Double trouble: Barry Allen (Ezra Miller) meets Barry Allen in Andy Muschietti’s ‘The Flash.’

A “Flash” movie has been floated for decades with so many different writers, directors and actors attached to the project. It wasn't until 2014 that Ezra Miller (they/them) was announced as the cinematic Scarlet Speedster. In July 2019, “Birds of Prey” and “Bumblebee's” Christina Hodson and “IT's” Andy Muschietti were announced as writer and director.

“The Flash” went into pre-production in 2020, and then the pandemic hit.

News of Ezra Miller's erratic and criminal behavior started to come out — a choking incident, theft, assault, disorderly conduct, grooming minors and leading a cult. There were also a series of shifts in ownership, strategy and leadership at Warner Brothers and DC. Then, James Gunn and Peter Safran became the newly minted DC Studios bosses in October 2022.

The plug could have easily been yanked on this one, but “The Flash” still managed to get shot and completed on time in 2021. Ezra Miller has avoided jail but now must comply with conditions set by the court, including getting treatment for their “complex mental health issues.” They did make a brief appearance at the LA premiere.

Ezra is actually fantastic in the film as they play two Barry Allens (existing in different multiverses); they're lovable, dorky, frenetic, innocent, sweet, lovable and funny. You just wouldn't believe they had all these bizarre meltdowns going on. I guess they're that good of an actor?

Fantastic as Miller is, Michael Keaton returns as Bruce Wayne/Batman and totally steals his scenes. His character is such a great part of Barry's story. We all know Ben Affleck is in this too as the same character. Michael Shannon is back as Zod, and Sasha Calle puts her own stamp on Kara Zor-el/Supergirl. Get ready for many, many cameos paying homage to the movies and TV shows with DC characters.

The Flash is lots of fun and opens the doors for Gunn and Safran to take DC to new places, starting with “Superman: Legacy,” set for 2025. What I'd really love to see is a behind-the-scenes documentary or retelling of just how Team Muschietti powered through and got this done.