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With “The Flash,” the DCEU Finally Gets the Hero It Needs (It’s Michael Keaton)

12 Jun

When it was announced that James Gunn (writer and director of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Guardians of the Galaxy movies, among others) would be taking over the creative vision and leadership of DC Studios, included in his plans was a reboot of the entire DC Extended Universe. That meant the end was near for Zack Snyder’s version of the DCEU, a series of films marked by their overly serious and cold tone, and increasingly dark and gloomy images, not to mention an over-reliance on CGI. I’m talking, of course, about films like Man of Steel, Batman v Superman: Dawn of JusticeAquamanSuicide Squad, and Justice League.

(Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy and last year’s The Batman are not considered part of the DCEU.)

The films do have their fans — including those who, for years, pushed for the release of Snyder’s extended cut of Justice League. But they’re not good, and I, for one, am looking forward to seeing what Gunn will do with the franchise.

Yes, there’s still an Aquaman sequel in the works. (Groan.) But before Snyder’s DCEU up and vanishes like a fart in the wind, director Andy Muschietti (It) and screenwriter Christina Hodson (Bumblebee) have stepped in to make sure it goes out with a little fight still left in it. Their The Flash is a super-fun and engaging movie that, while not without its faults, might actually be the best movie in the entire series.

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