The Flash: A Superhero Movie in the Eye of the Storm? Plus 18 Parallel Movie Reviews

1. The Flash 2023，IMDB Rating: 6.7, IMDB Votes: 216550, ID: 0439572
Photo by sketchfab.com, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

The Flash 2023, despite its spectacular digital effects, has been criticized for its lack of coherence and depth. The film’s narrative is seen as repetitive and its attempts at humor often fall flat. It has also been criticized for its controversial lead actor, Ezra Miller. Despite these criticisms, some viewers found the film’s exploration of time and parallel universes intriguing.
2. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice 2016，IMDB Rating: 6.5, IMDB Votes: 756375, ID: 2975590
Photo by bp.blogspot.com, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice 2016 was a film of contrasts. It was praised for its epic superhero filmmaking, yet criticized for its ponderous, disorganized, and glum tone. Despite the strong performances from Ben Affleck and Henry Cavill, the film’s narrative was seen as slow and the CGI was described as tacky. However, it did explore interesting themes such as the moral implications of power.
3. Man of Steel 2013，IMDB Rating: 7.1, IMDB Votes: 816604, ID: 0770828
Photo by bp.blogspot.com, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

Man of Steel 2013 was a radical break from past Superman films, presenting a darker, more violent version of the superhero. While the film was praised for its action sequences and the performances of its lead actors, it was criticized for its lack of humor and sweetness. Despite these criticisms, some viewers appreciated the film’s cerebral engagement and its exploration of the character’s emotional journey.
4. Black Adam 2022，IMDB Rating: 6.2, IMDB Votes: 278252, ID: 6443346
Photo by acsta.net, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

Black Adam 2022, starring Dwayne Johnson, was praised for its action sequences and the lead actor’s performance. However, the film was criticized for its disjointed narrative and lack of innovation. Despite these criticisms, some viewers found the film’s exploration of moral complexities and its anti-imperialist stance refreshing.
5. Shazam! Fury of the Gods 2023，IMDB Rating: 5.9, IMDB Votes: 127635, ID: 10151854
Photo by www.diggita.it, is licensed under CC BY-ND 4.0

Shazam! Fury of the Gods 2023 was seen as a letdown compared to its predecessor, despite retaining some of the original’s charm. The film was criticized for its unfocused narrative and shallow character development. However, some viewers appreciated the film’s action sequences and its heart, humor, and excitement.
6. Justice League 2017，IMDB Rating: 6.1, IMDB Votes: 481277, ID: 0974015
Photo by fabiusmaximus.com, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

Justice League, despite its light-hearted tone and ensemble action, had its share of script problems. It was released on the heels of another superhero adventure, ‘Thor: Ragnarok’, and unfortunately suffered in comparison. However, it was appreciated for avoiding the self-importance that damaged previous entries in the franchise.
7. Birds of Prey and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn 2020，IMDB Rating: 6.1, IMDB Votes: 267136, ID: 7713068
Photo by oldaintdead.com, is licensed under CC BY-ND 4.0

Birds of Prey is a fruity cocktail of a movie. It’s a celebration of feminine strength, with women discovering and honing their powers. Despite its vibrant energy and girl power, it drags in the middle as it jumps around in time and establishes the backstories for the various ‘birds’.
8. Aquaman 2018，IMDB Rating: 6.8, IMDB Votes: 525056, ID: 1477834
Photo by picandocodigo.net, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

Aquaman, a film about a half-human, half-Atlantean prince, is a sweet, goofy, and psychedelically weird film. Despite being overlong and a bit repetitious, it was praised for shaking the algae from cliches. However, it received the worst audience score of any movie in the DC universe.
9. Wonder Woman 2017，IMDB Rating: 7.3, IMDB Votes: 704162, ID: 0451279
Photo by bp.blogspot.com, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

Wonder Woman is a film that successfully blends elaborate action sequences with compelling character development. It’s inspiring, evocative, and a bit infuriating for the chances it doesn’t take. Despite its shortcomings, it was hailed as a turning point in the DC Extended Universe.
10. It 2017，IMDB Rating: 7.3, IMDB Votes: 614607, ID: 1396484
Photo by bp.blogspot.com, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

The 2017 adaptation of Stephen King’s ‘It’ was well-received for its balance of horror and humor, and its strong performances. The film’s strength lies in the chemistry between the cast members, particularly the children, more than the horror elements. However, it has been noted that the film’s plot device is banal and the narrative feels disjointed.
11. It Chapter Two 2019，IMDB Rating: 6.5, IMDB Votes: 306563, ID: 7349950
Photo by telepedia.net, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

It Chapter Two, while sprawling and unwieldy, was praised for its casting, chemistry among actors, and ghoulish monster effects. Despite its length and detours, the film managed to keep audiences hooked. However, it has been criticized for keeping its actors apart on individual adventures, which slowed down the momentum.
12. The Suicide Squad 2021，IMDB Rating: 7.2, IMDB Votes: 415563, ID: 6334354
Photo by wikimedia.org, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

The Suicide Squad, directed by James Gunn, was seen as a funhouse mirror inversion of his work with ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’. Despite being a sprawling mess, the film’s casting, chemistry among actors, and ghoulish monster effects kept audiences hooked. However, the film was criticized for its unwieldy size and complexity.
13. Wonder Woman 1984 2020，IMDB Rating: 5.4, IMDB Votes: 294114, ID: 7126948
Photo by blogspot.com, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

Wonder Woman 1984, while retaining the charisma of Gal Gadot, was criticized for its larger and unwieldy machinery. The film was seen as a sprawling mess, with an overemphasis on nostalgia. However, the film’s indictment of greed was seen as relevant, despite the banal plot device.
14. The Batman 2022，IMDB Rating: 7.8, IMDB Votes: 802232, ID: 1877830
Photo by sketchfab.com, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

The Batman, directed by Matt Reeves, is a gritty, operatic crime drama that reinvented the superhero genre. Robert Pattinson’s portrayal of a brooding, tormented Batman and the film’s dark, atmospheric depiction of Gotham City have been praised. However, some critics found the plot to be messy. Despite these criticisms, the film’s unique take on the Batman character and its bold narrative choices make it a standout entry in the superhero genre.
15. Morbius 2022，IMDB Rating: 5.1, IMDB Votes: 156214, ID: 5108870
Photo by telepedia.net, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

Morbius, featuring Jared Leto as the titular character, is a superhero film that has received mostly negative reviews from critics and mixed reviews from audiences. Critics have criticized the film for its uninspired effects, rote performances, and a borderline nonsensical story. Despite these criticisms, some fans found the film to be innovative and stimulating. The film’s unique take on the Morbius character and its attempt to blend the superhero and horror genres make it an interesting, albeit flawed, entry in the superhero film landscape.
16. Eternals 2021，IMDB Rating: 6.3, IMDB Votes: 390982, ID: 9032400
Photo by kakaocdn.net, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

Eternals is a Marvel superhero epic with an ambitious scope and diverse cast. However, the film has been criticized for its dense mythology, slow pacing, and lack of clear narrative focus. Despite these criticisms, some critics praised director Chloé Zhao’s distinctive aesthetic imprint and the film’s exploration of complex themes. The film’s diverse cast and its attempt to push the boundaries of the superhero genre make it a unique, albeit divisive, entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
17. Spider-Man: No Way Home 2021，IMDB Rating: 8.2, IMDB Votes: 894971, ID: 10872600
Photo by telepedia.net, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

Spider-Man: No Way Home is a film that has managed to supersize its adventure while maintaining the awkward, deadpan humor that makes Paul Rudd’s portrayal of Scott Lang so endearing. It’s a film that’s often bursting with creative joy. However, when compared to The Flash, it’s clear that Spider-Man: No Way Home has been received more positively by audiences.
18. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness 2022，IMDB Rating: 6.9, IMDB Votes: 486338, ID: 9419884
Photo by blogspot.com, is licensed under CC BY-ND 4.0

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is a film that tries to balance corporate needs with personal blockbuster filmmaking. It’s a film that’s darker and more violent than any previous MCU movie. But when compared to The Flash, it’s clear that Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness has been received more positively by audiences.
19. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever 2022，IMDB Rating: 6.7, IMDB Votes: 311418, ID: 9114286
Photo by www.crol.hr, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is a film that stands as the most mature and thoughtful film in the MCU. It’s a film that’s sincere, even if the overall film feels manufactured. But when compared to The Flash, it’s clear that Black Panther: Wakanda Forever has been received more positively by audiences.