Justice League: Flashpoint Paradox Review

The new DC comics animated film release is based off the comic event Flashpoint written by Geoff Johns. This event has been controversial due to it being used as a platform for DC to partially reboot all their comics to make it easier for new fans to jump on. I won't address this and focus on the DVD release. Some mild spoilers to the plot to follow.


This release is the first Flash centric release and is one of the best ones too. The film begins with with a young Barry Allen and his mother, Nora Allen, on the side of the road. A nice touch here is a version of the "Serenity Prayer" told by Nora Allen. This part mimics Flash Rebirth where Nora Allen is killed during a break in, leaving a young Barry to find her in their house. Fast forward to the present and the Justice League are called in to stop a break in by Flash's rogue gallery. The day after the break in Barry wakes up and his world has completely changed. He no longer is the Flash, his mother is still alive and the world is on the brink of destruction but there is no Justice League to stop it. Moreso Aquaman and Wonder Woman are at war with each other, Bruce Wayne died in crime alley rather than his parents.

Barry Allen #Hero

There are two central themes throughout the story. Firstly coming to terms with your past . This is shown through the Flash's motivations that are revealed gradually throughout the story. Especially the ending that links perfectly back to the main story theme, Secondly, and more powerfully, the importance of family. Shown by how badly people can react without a family (see the Flashpoint version of Batman and The Joker) and secondly how having a family can be used to help with situations. All of this leads to a satisfying conclusion and this is easily one of my favourite DC animated films (Second to Under the Hood). The more violent tone, the story and in particular some of the emotional parts, the animation all weave together to give a special package that certainly resonated with me.

I hope that this movie sells successfully because the Flash is a great character and is strong enough to hold his own story without relying on Superman or Batman (like most of the other Justice League Cartoons have). Continuing the Flash's popularity he will now be appearing on the TV show Arrow and will be receiving his own series. If done correctly this could be a fantastic chance for the character to get more exposure and maybe a live action movie or bigger part in the Justice League movie (if it ever gets made).

The first Flash centric animated release is a great success both in story and style. I am really pleased that the Flash is getting greater exposure that the character deserves.

5/5