The Flashpoint Paradox: A Review

(WARNING SPOILERS: If you haven’t either seen The Flashpoint Paradox movie OR read the Flashpoint miniseries, stop here.)

Normally I use these blogs for some sort of bizarre interpretation or examination of comics and movies. Or just as a way for me to vent a particular set of thoughts that is bothering me. So it is rare that I actually sit down and do and serious critique of something I have seen. But after watching the DC animated movie Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox, I felt I had to write a little review.

First of all, this adaptation, like most of the DC animated films is based on a preexisting storyline. Flashpoint was a massive cross over that, unbeknownst to the reader at the time, would have huge repercussions to the entire DC Universe. Essentially this storyline is what explained the massive continuity shift that was caused by the DC New 52. The series even ends showing Batman and Flash both in their stylized armor type costumes that has been the visual hallmark of the New 52.

To sum up the story, Barry Allen, the Flash, when he was a child lost his mother to a home invasion. Although he grew up to be a police forensic scientist and later a super hero, the death of his mother haunts him. One day he wakes up to find not only his mother alive, but the entire history of his world changed. He never became the Flash; there is no Superman or Justice League; Atlantis and Themyscaria (the mythical home of the Amazons, Wonder Woman’s people) are at war; and numerous other differences. The animated film keeps most of these storylines, streamlining some of the many character miniseries and changing little things here and there to better fit the medium of film as opposed to comics.

To put it simply, I really dug this film. I’ve always been a fan of super heroes going bad and this movie depicts an entire world where not one but several heroes have completely lost their moral center. Aquaman and Wonder Woman bare no resemblance to the moral upstanding heroes they are in the comics. They are bloodthirsty dictators, each out to destroy the other and not caring who gets in their way. The final battle of this film is brutal as you see comrades and colleagues murdered by people who were once close friends.

Another thing I love about this film is Batman. Like most fans I consider The Dark Knight Returns (another great comic to be adapted to film by DC Animated) to be the definitive Batman story. And in that book they portray an aged and grizzled Batman. Now it’s tough to show an aged and grizzled Batman when you are showing all the other heroes at their normal ages. Except that’s what is different in this alternate timeline. In the world of Flashpoint, it is NOT Bruce Wayne who becomes the Dark Knight, defender of Gotham. It is THOMAS Wayne, Bruce’s father. That’s what was different. Instead of Bruce’s parents dying in that alleyway all those years ago, it was Bruce who took the fatal bullet and died. Although they don’t go into it in the film (which I wish they did because it was my favorite part of the comic) while Thomas Wayne becomes Batman, Martha Wayne becomes the Joker. They hint at this only.

There is also a storyline involving the absence of Superman. Instead of landing in a Kansas field, Kal-El’s spaceship crashes in a Metropolis neighborhood, destroying everything on impact. An emaciated Superman is kept in a secret government lab (which showed Krypto the Superdog’s skull in a jar, which amused in a morbid sort of way) where he is barely a skeleton, never receiving any of the life giving sunlight that is responsible for all of his powers. It was a take on Superman that is rarely ever seen. A weak and childlike Superman who has no control or understanding of his abilities. Again, I like dark takes on classic super heroes and this was definitely dark.

"Kids, don't try this at home."

To put a word to what this is, “dark” would definitely be it. This entire movie is a type of violence not usually seen in a DC animated film. Many DC characters are killed off in horrific ways. Wonder Woman presents Aquaman with the severed head of his wife. She also snaps the neck of Billy Batson (Shazam/Captain Marvel/Captain Thunder). Aquaman pierces Cyborg’s heart with his trident. And finally, the most brutal of all, Batman shoots Professor Zoom through the head and we see through the hole and all the dripping brain matter within. Those were just a few of the highlights. There are many more fights throughout the film but those were all the moments that had me making double takes at the screen. Also in an attempt to regain his powers, The Flash straps himself into an electric chair and lets himself get struck by lightning. Twice.

I am constantly fighting the argument that comics and cartoons are not “just for kids.” It’s a long argument that I continue to be baffled that I have to keep having. As this animated film exemplifies, just because something is drawn or animated it most certainly is NOT for kids. I certainly would not let any child in my care watch this film. But I myself will probably watch it many more times. And will joyfully suggest it and/or lend it to anyone who is age appropriate.