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Exploring New Depths of Madness

Directed by Todd Phillips, Joker: Folie à Deux boldly departs from traditional superhero narratives. This sequel explores the mental unraveling of not just Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix), but also the evolution of Harley Quinn, brought to life by Lady Gaga. The film’s title, “Folie à Deux,” a French term meaning “madness shared by two,” hints at the intense co-dependency and chaotic bond between the Joker and Harley.

The chemistry between Phoenix and Gaga is electric. Phoenix once again delivers a haunting portrayal of the Joker, capturing the character’s unpredictability and depth. Gaga, in her first major role in a comic book movie, brings vulnerability and ferocity to Harley Quinn. This makes her a compelling foil to Phoenix’s Joker. Their dynamic is central to the film, showcasing the toxic yet magnetic relationship that defines the plot.

A Bold Musical Experiment

One of the most unique aspects of Joker: Folie à Deux is its musical format. While the idea of turning the Joker’s dark world into a musical might seem unusual, the film executes it with style and precision. The musical numbers are woven seamlessly into the narrative, reflecting the characters’ descent into madness. From eerie duets to chaotic dance sequences, the musical elements highlight the delusional and fantastical aspects of the Joker and Harley’s shared psychosis.

Stellar Supporting Cast

The cast of Joker: Folie à Deux is nothing short of spectacular. Alongside Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga, the film features returning characters and new faces that add depth to Gotham’s gritty underworld. Zazie Beetz reprises her role as Sophie Dumond, providing a grounded perspective amid the chaos. Brendan Gleeson and Catherine Keener join the cast, adding layers of intrigue to the plot. Their performances contribute to the film’s unsettling atmosphere, making the cast one of the film’s standout strengths.

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Box Office Triumph

Joker: Folie à Deux has taken the box office by storm, currently holding the #1 spot on the charts. The film’s release has captivated audiences, drawing them into its dark and mesmerizing world. The initial teaser hinted at a kaleidoscope of dark imagery, dramatic confrontations, and, of course, Lady Gaga’s musical flair. The film delivers on this promise, offering a visually stunning and emotionally intense experience that blends horror, drama, and musical spectacle.

Final Verdict

Joker: Folie à Deux has proven to be a cinematic triumph. It’s a hauntingly beautiful portrayal of shared madness, wrapped in a dark musical package that leaves a lasting impression. The film’s exploration of the Joker and Harley Quinn’s relationship is both disturbing and mesmerizing, making it a must-see for fans of the genre.

The innovative approach and captivating narrative of Joker: Folie à Deux ensure it stands out. It is a worthy continuation of the Joker saga. As audiences continue to be drawn into its spellbinding world, one thing is clear. Joker: Folie à Deux is an experience that will be talked about for years to come.

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5. Jared Leto

Jared Leto’s portrayal of the Joker in Suicide Squad (2016) received mixed reactions from fans and critics alike. Known for his intense method of acting, Leto’s Joker had a modern, gangster-inspired look, complete with tattoos, flashy suits, and a gold grill. While his portrayal was undeniably different from previous Jokers, it lacked the depth and nuance that made others iconic!

However, Leto’s commitment to the role was evident, as he reportedly stayed in character even off-set. His version of the Joker was more erratic and unpredictable, which, while entertaining, didn’t resonate as strongly as hoped. Leto, best known for films like Dallas Buyers Club and his work with the band 30 Seconds to Mars, still gave a memorable performance, but it pales compared to other portrayals.

4. Cesar Romero

For many, Cesar Romero’s portrayal in the 1960s Batman TV series was their introduction to the Joker. Romero’s version was campy, fun, and true to the tone of the show. He brought a playful energy to the character, often engaging in lighthearted schemes rather than the dark chaos that would come later. Famously, Romero refused to shave his mustache for the role, leaving it visibly painted over with white makeup.

While Romero’s Joker might not be the scariest or most psychologically complex, his performance remains a classic and laid the foundation for future portrayals of the character. Romero’s depiction is still fondly remembered as a fun and entertaining version of the Joker.

3. Joaquin Phoenix

Joaquin Phoenix’s portrayal of the Joker in the 2019 film Joker was a game-changer. Phoenix took a different approach, focusing on the origin story of Arthur Fleck, a failed comedian who descends into madness. His performance was raw, emotional, and haunting, earning him an Academy Award for Best Actor. Phoenix’s Joker is deeply human, highlighting mental illness, societal neglect, and the chaos that arises when a broken system fails its people.

Phoenix’s version of the Joker resonated with audiences for its emotional depth and terrifying realism. His performance made the character more relatable, yet no less frightening. Fans eagerly await Joker: Folie à Deux, where Phoenix will return alongside Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn. With the release set for October 4, 2024, expectations are high for this follow-up film!

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2. Jack Nicholson

Jack Nicholson’s portrayal of the Joker in Tim Burton’s Batman (1989) is nothing short of iconic! Nicholson brought a perfect blend of dark humor and menace to the role, balancing the character’s comedic and dangerous sides. His Joker was a psychopathic mobster with a flair for the dramatic, creating a version that was larger-than-life.

Nicholson’s portrayal remains one of the most memorable in cinematic history, and his performance set the bar for future portrayals. Nicholson’s grin, eerie laugh, and vibrant energy made the character equally terrifying and entertaining. Nicholson, known for films like The Shining and One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, was the perfect choice for Burton’s darker, gothic take on Batman.

1. Heath Ledger

Topping the list is Heath Ledger, whose portrayal of the Joker in The Dark Knight (2008) redefined the character. Ledger’s Joker was a complete departure from previous versions, focusing on the character’s anarchistic and nihilistic nature. His chilling performance earned him a posthumous Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.

Ledger’s representation was terrifying, unpredictable, and captivating, delivering some of the most iconic lines in film history! He embodied chaos, playing the character with a twisted sense of humor that made him both frightening and magnetic. Ledger, known for films like Brokeback Mountain and 10 Things I Hate About You, immersed himself in the role, resulting in what many consider the best Joker portrayal of all time.

The Future of the Joker with Joker: Folie à Deux

Reflecting on these iconic portrayals of the Joker, the future looks thrilling. Fans are buzzing with excitement with Joker: Folie à Deux on the horizon. Joaquin Phoenix’s return promises more depth and intensity. Lady Gaga’s debut as Harley Quinn adds a fresh twist. The trailer hints at a musical element, promising a unique take on their chaotic relationship. Each actor has brought something special to the role, but Heath Ledger’s performance remains unmatched. Whether it’s Nicholson’s dark humor, Phoenix’s raw emotion, or Ledger’s chaotic brilliance, the Joker continues to captivate and terrify. The Clown Prince of Crime is here to stay, evolving with each new portrayal!

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Instead of just focusing on tried-and-tested heroes and villains, Gunn has an all-new team waiting in the wings. Bringing WildStorm’s The Authority comic into live-action, he is wasting no time building out. Set to be the second installment in the DCU’s Chapter One: God and Monsters, here’s hoping The Authority will be a brutal brawler akin to The Boys and not another ensemble dud like Eternals.

Here’s your 101 on all things The Authority.

A WildStorm in a teacup 

As we approached the end of the 20th Century,  WildStorm Productions tried to revamp its ailing Stormwatch comic line but wanted to keep the fan-favorite Jenny Sparks and other standout characters. Writer Warren Ellis said Stormwatch had been kept alive because the WildStorm team liked to read the comics and wanted to hang onto their jobs. The Stormwatch team was a ragtag group funded by the United Nations, but seeing the potential of this anti-Justice League, Ellis overhauled the idea and had Sparks lead a new black-ops team that didn’t answer to the government. 

DC and Marvel aren’t strangers to homaging each other’s characters, and The Authority was no different. Main players like Apollo and the Midnighter are bio-engineered pastiches of Superman and Batman, while other mainstays of the first lineup include former Stormwatch members Sparks, Jack Hawksmoor, and Swift. Rounding off the pack was Angela “Angie” Spica as the second Engineer, and the Doctor — a recovering drug-addled shaman with the power to rewrite reality. 

Published in 1999, Ellis and Bryan Hitch’s The Authority introduced us to this no-nonsense team that gets the job done by any means necessary. Although they fight for the side of good, it often comes at the cost of civilian life, meaning there was plenty of red ink used in Hitch’s artwork. The original run lasted just 12 issues but was split into four distinct story arcs. If that doesn’t scream a four-part movie saga, we don’t know what does. 

Beyond the Ellis/Hitch run, DC legends, including Grant Morrison and The Boys’ Darick Robertson, have put pen to paper. As for Hitch, he later went on to ink the Ultimates comic as a revamp of The Avengers. This is regarded as a major influence for the MCU’s live-action take on Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, so you could argue that without Ultimates, we wouldn’t have the MCU we have today. Coming full circle, it’s apt that Gunn is now spearheading the DCU. 

The Authority doesn’t pull any punches

If you’re questioning what sets the Authority apart from any other anti-hero team, check out 2005’s Captain Atom: Armageddon. Here, the titular Captain Atom found himself marooned in the WildStorm universe, horrified by how violent the Authority were. The team has sincembecome known for its brutal measures across its various runs, most famously when Midnighter sodomized a rapist known as the Commander with a jackhammer. This is more complex than you’d think, with Midnighter’s actions being revenge for what the Commander did to Apollo.

2008’s DC/Wildstorm: DreamWar settled the debate of whether the Authority or the Justice League are more violent, with Green Arrow having his neck snapped by a kick from Midnighter and Batman being pummeled by WildC.A.T.s’ Zealot. 

Much like we’re holding out hope for an eventual Avengers vs. X-Men movie to break the MCU’s box office records, seeing the Authority duke it out with the Justice League has the potential to smash predictions … if built correctly. It’s no secret that the DCEU’s Justice League failed to “Unite the Seven”, so letting the team rest and trying something different with The Authority could be just what the Doctor Fate ordered. 

As The Boys has captured the modern zeitgeist with its commentary on the Black Lives Matter and #MeToo movements, The Authority too has always had something to say. The original run ended with Sparks dying, and considering she was known as “the Spirit of the 20th Century,” it was a clever way to usher in the millennium. An impressive rogue’s gallery includes later recruits like Deathblow and Stormwatch alumni Flint, while DC mainstays like Enchantress have even suited up. Given the current slate of more diverse superhero outings, here’s hoping The Authority film stays faithful to the source material but mixes up their comic book backstories akin to Hooded Justice or Yahya Abdul-Mateen II playing Doctor Manhattan in HBO’s Watchmen. 

The Authority is already an important step for diversity – with both Apollo and Midnighter being openly gay and actually married to each other. Just imagine if DC had Superman and Batman locking lips. At a time when the MCU is still slow on the uptake in terms of LGTBTQ+ heroes (look at that throwaway kiss in Eternals), The Authority movie can make a giant leap. There’s also the whole Sliding Albion arc, and while we doubt a first outing for the Authority would see them tackling colonialism of an alternate British Empire, it’s one to bear in mind for future adventures. 

Not our first rodeo

The DCU’s version of The Authority is the first time we’ll see them on the silver screen, but many forget 2012’s animated Superman vs. The Elite was something of an Authority-lite outing that adapted 2001’s Action Comics #775 where the Man of Steel took on a team very reminiscent of the Authority. As The Authority (comic line) was absorbed into the mainline DC print via 2011’s Flashpoint, there’s already some connective tissue here for the DCU. It’s unclear where Gunn is taking characters like Jason Momoa’s Aquaman and Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn, but with 2022’s The Flash loosely adapting Flashpoint and giving us a glimpse into this live-action Multiverse, the Authority could be out there somewhere. 

We already know Venezuelan actor María Gabriela de Faría has been cast as an antagonistic Angie Spica for Gunn’s Superman: Legacy. Unlike the dark and brooding tone of the Snyderverse, Gunn’s The Suicide Squad balanced comedy and bloodshed. There are more hints of what’s to come thanks to Gunn sharing a cryptic tweet claiming The Authority Omnibus from 2019 would be a major influence. This suggests we’ll hone in on the OG team because it collects the first 29 issues (and others), but more than this, the fact the omnibus sold out following Gunn’s tweet shows how hyped fans are for the movie. 

If not, we could look to Morrison’s four-issue Superman and the Authority from 2021. This features the Metropolis Marvel losing his powers and turning to a reluctant Authority (including former foe Manchester Black) to help him and operate out of the Fortress of Solitude. Picture the scene where David Coronswet’s junior Man of Steel gets depowered at the end of Superman: Legacy, turning to the Authority to protect Earth from its next big threat. For those who still aren’t convinced the Authority is right for the DCU, Gunn himself has referred to it as a “passion project.” 

Based on the source material and the fact at least one character will make their debut in Superman: Legacy, we expect The Authority to be a more serious affair. Then again, Gunn’s involvement suggests a few laughs will still be found. With the comic book movie mogul writing and directing Superman: Legacy, he’ll at least oversee the Authority’s inception in the DCU, although he’s said a currently unnamed writer has been hired for a long time. Could those rumors of Daredevil’s Drew Goddard penning The Authority be true? We know he loves an ensemble, and it would make up for his Sinister Six and X-Force movies that never were. 

While we’ve pitched our own fanciful ideas for The Boys and Invincible to cross paths (with the latter supposedly getting a movie), The Authority is much closer to Swift spreading her wings. It’s been 15 years since Snyder’s Watchmen failed to capitalize on one of DC’s most promising R-rated IPs, so let’s see if lessons have been learned. The renaissance of hyper-violent superhero sluggers is here, and with The Authority poised to be the next big outing, we couldn’t be happier. 

Based in Manchester, UK, Tom Chapman has over seven years’ experience covering everything from dragons to Demogorgons. Starting out with a stint at Movie Pilot in Berlin, Tom has since branched out to indulge his love of all things Star Wars and the MCU at Digital Spy, Den of Geek, IGN, Yahoo! and more. These days, you’ll find Tom channelling his inner Gale Weathers and ranting about how HBO did us dirty with Game of Thrones Season Eight.

In this article, we’ll embark on an adventure filled with laughs, thrilling action, and stunning visuals as we discover why Aquaman has become the unsung hero of the superhero universe. So grab your tridents, strap on your fins, and lets delve deep into the history of the character for the release of Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom on December 22, 2023.

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Examining Aquaman’s comic origins and how they shaped the superhero we know today

Meet Aquaman, the legendary American comic book hero who rises to safeguard the enchanting underwater kingdom of Atlantis. Born as Arthur Curry to a human lighthouse keeper and the queen of Atlantis, he’s also known as Orin in the Atlantean realm. Additionally, Aquaman is known to be an esteemed member of the illustrious superhero alliance, the Justice League of America.

Jason Momoa is open about the likely end of his Aquaman’s run.

“I think it’s a really great movie that sums it all up. You get to see where he’s at, and it’s a pretty cool journey. It’s been 12 years, and the DCEU is at its end.”https://t.co/pWgZinbMSE pic.twitter.com/mAuOsA5Z1E

— DCU on ComicBook.com (@DCUonCB) December 20, 2023

Aquaman made his debut in the anthology series More Fun Comics #73 in 1941, but it wasn’t until 1962, almost two decades later, that he gained enough popularity to have his own comic. Mort Weisinger expertly penned this inaugural comic, while Paul Norris brought it to life with his beautiful illustrations. Over the years, Aquaman has made appearances in numerous DC Comics publications. Although his presence has had its ups and downs, there’s no denying that Aquaman has firmly established himself as a cornerstone of the vast DC Comics universe.

His origin story has gone through more revisions than a superhero costume fitting! While Arthur Curry is the most well-known Aquaman, did you know there have been other Aquamen too? Yep, like Joseph Curry, who had a brief stint as the aquatic hero. Oh, and let’s not forget about his former protégé Jackson Hyde or Adam Waterman, the Golden Age hero who made waves during World War II.

Aquaman isn’t just your average guy who can swim fast. He’s got superhuman strength, can breathe underwater like a fish, and can even chat with sea creatures telepathically. Talk about marine multitasking! He’s never alone in his adventures either as he’s got his powerful wife Mera, wise mentor Vulko, and cool sidekicks like Aqualad, Aquagirl, and Dolphin by his side. But wait, there’s more! He also has some seriously villainous foes to spice up the story, like the notorious Black Manta who’s caused Aquaman a lot of personal pain, and his own half-brother Orm, aka Ocean Master. Family drama, anyone?

Beyond the panels: How Aquaman surfaced in film and television

Back in the late ’60s, Aquaman left his mark in animated TV shows with his very own Aquaman series. It came onto the scene by repackaging the 30-minute segments from The Superman/Aquaman Hour of Adventure, minus the Superman and Superboy parts. Then, he joined forces with the Super Friends crew in the ’70s. These appearances made him one of the most recognized superheroes worldwide, but sadly, he became the target of wimpy jokes due to his portrayal in Super Friends. Poor Aquaman!

However, DC took it upon themselves to rectify this misperception. They embarked on a journey to reinvent Aquaman, crafting versions of the character that exuded an edgier and more formidable presence. Often depicted as somber and contemplative, Aquaman grapples with the weight of his public image, the burdens of kingship, and the intricate realm of Atlantean politics. These alterations aimed to shed the notion of weakness and establish Aquaman as a force to be reckoned with.

But that’s not all! Aquaman didn’t just swim in the animated waters. He ventured into live-action too, making appearances in the Superman-centric TV drama Smallville and even had his own self-titled made-for-TV movie in 2006. But his big break came in 2016’s Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, where actor Jason Momoa brought him to life. And boy, did he make a splash!

Momoa then starred in the epic Justice League movie, but it was his standalone Aquaman film that really made waves. It received rave reviews and made over $1.1 billion globally — talk about success! Recently, Aquaman has also made cameos in other DC Extended Universe projects, like the Max series Peacemaker and a post-credits scene in The Flash.

The adventures continue with Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom

Get ready for an epic showdown in the upcoming film! After failing to defeat Aquaman before, Black Manta (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) is back with a vengeance, fueled by the need to avenge his father’s death. Armed with the powerful Black Trident, he’s more formidable than ever, unleashing an ancient and malevolent power. But hold on, Aquaman won’t face this challenge alone! In an unlikely alliance, he will join forces with his imprisoned brother Orm (Patrick Wilson), the former King of Atlantis and also known as Ocean Master. Together, they’ll set aside their differences to safeguard their kingdom, protect Aquaman’s family, and even save the world from irreversible destruction.

Hold on, there’s more! According to Empire Magazine, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom will embrace a retro, ’60s horror aesthetic, setting it apart from previous DCEU entries. It should be intriguing to see this unique vision from acclaimed horror director James Wan, known for his work on Insidious, Malignant, and the expansive Conjuring Universe.

Moreover, this film marks the conclusive installment of the DCEU, signifying the shift into the newly revamped DC Universe, overseen by the newly-formed duo of James Gunn and Peter Safran as co-CEOs of DC Studios. It’ll be interesting to see whether the box office success of this movie will have any ramifications or influences on forthcoming DC ventures.

Aquaman is a deep-sea hero with a splash of fun and a whole lot of heart, keeping the seas safe and making waves in the DC universe. So, next time you think of Aquaman, remember his journey from the comics to the big screen — a journey that turned him into a billion-dollar superhero.

Be sure to catch Aquaman’s latest adventure in theaters on December 22, 2023.

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Ben Ahrens is a versatile Silicon Valley-based writer, content marketer, photographer, and graphic designer. His passion lies in crafting engaging stories for the entertainment industry and embracing the tech culture of the Bay Area to uncover the next ground-breaking innovations. When not weaving words, you’ll find him curating the perfect playlist for every occasion or exploring the diverse landscapes of Northern California.

Could it be a case of this lil’ piggy going wee, wee, wee, all the way home in Matt Reeves’ The Batman Part II? Some Batfans think they’ve found the perfect big bad for Warner Brothers’ upcoming sequel. Since the Dark Knight first spread his membraneous blue-black wings on the pages of 1939’s Detective Comics #27, we’ve met an eclectic menagerie of conniving cat burglars, cackling clowns and scarred psychotics as his recurring foes. While the comics have featured everyone from the undead Solomon Grundy (born on a Monday!) to the Alice in Wonderland-obsessed Mad Hatter, the various live-action movies have largely stuck to the same tried-and-tested roster of villains.

Although we’d love to see Reeves’ take on Condiment King or the Eraser, it’s much easier to roll out the Joker for The Batman Part II. Reeves has teased that Barry Keoghan’s version of the character glimpsed at the end of The Batman might not be breaking out of Arkham just yet, leaving the doors open to explore some untapped corners of Batman’s rogues gallery. Now, a frankly inspired choice has us ‘squealing’ with excitement. 

This Little Piggy

Over on Instagram, artist @victor.heroart suggested an underused foe for The Batman Part II, putting Robert Pattinson’s hero face-to-face with Professor Pyg, the sadistic swine in a blood-soaked surgeon’s gown and pig mask. This would mark Professor Pyg’s theatrical debut, and picturing him we can’t help but think of the Saw movies. Despite being an unconventional pick, it would continue the theme of unhinged serial killers set by Paul Dano’s Riddler in 2022’s The Batman. 

Introduced in the pages of 2007’s Batman #666, Professor Pyg is the alias of Lazlo Valentin, a cosmetic-surgery obsessed scientist with schizophrenia and a ready scalpel. Valentin sees humans as imperfect, putting them under the knife to sculpt a mind-controlled army of lobotomized Dollotrons because, you know, how can anyone resist Dollotrons? If that wasn’t creepy enough, the good prof keeps his “mommy”– a makeshift iron maiden made of wooden planks, nails and a skull — around to torment his victims and occasionally himself 

Pyg has also been known to create animal-human hybrids, which could take The Batman Part II in a dark direction reminiscent of The Island of Doctor Moreau. He’s returned several times over the years, getting a revised backstory for “The New 52” continuity and again for the “Rebirth” revamp. Although not everyone has heard of Professor Pyg, he’s appeared in everything from Rocksteady’s Arkham Knight video game to Gotham Season 4. Professor Pyg also had a recurring role in the animated Beware the Batman, which focused on lesser villains including Tobias Whale and Humpty Dumpty. 

As for what makes Professor Pyg different from your standard C-tier Batman villain, co-creator Grant Morrison has hyped him as “one of the weirdest, most insane characters that’s ever been in Batman [comics].” Explaining the work that went into Valentin, Morrison told IGN,  “We hear a lot about Batman facing crazy villains but we tried to make this guy seem genuinely disturbed and disconnected … Professor Pyg isn’t from another world; he’s from here, but he’s very, very sick.”

Pyg in the City  

Cut a little deeper, and Professor Pyg is an even more complex villain. Inspired by the Greek mythological character of Pygmalion and the 1913 play of the same name, Professor Pyg represents a tragic figure who falls in love with its own creation. Chuck in some real-life inspirations from animal testing, and you’ve got one very messed-up guy. It’s also safe to assume elements of the mask-wearing Professor Pyg have been inspired by The Texas Chainsaw Massacre’s Leatherface. 

Imagine a scene where Professor Pyg exacts revenge on Gotham’s pharmaceutical industry or a Wayne Enterprises subsidiary that’s been testing on animals. The Riddler took revenge on Gotham’s elite in The Batman, and Professor Pyg striking out against animal testing is a neat allegory for real-world activism. Think Uma Thurman’s Poison Ivy having an ecological message about saving the planet (albeit poorly told) in Batman & Robin. 

The idea of Professor Pyg taking on the Caped Crusader even spilled over onto Reddit, with Batman fans asking each other who could play Professor Pyg. The top suggestion is John Carroll Lynch, the American Horror Story star being a frankly brilliant choice. Lynch is no stranger to playing deranged killers, having portrayed Twisty the Clown, John Wayne Gacy, and Mr. Jingles in the horror anthology. Either way, Professor Pyg definitely fits with the the current darker-than-dark take on the Dark Knight — making Christopher Nolan’s trilogy look like Sesame Street.

Well, okay, we got carried away there.  But still….

You Wanna Get Nuts? Let’s Get Nuts

Even though Professor Pyg would easily fit the overall aesthetic of Reeves’ Gotham, there are sure to be skeptics. Dano’s unique take on the Riddler was a highlight, but it might feel like a rehash to have Batman taking on another serial killer. Thankfully, there are plenty of other choices out there, with Reeves proving he’s up to the challenge of reimagining the Caped Crusader. Like the Nolanverse’s grittier take on Batman’s enemies, we can only imagine what Reeves could do with someone like King Tut or Maxie Zeus. Or, what if we went full body horror to introduce Man-Bat?

The filmic DCU’s current mastermind James Gunn has spoken about The Batman as a trilogy, with Reeves’ movies being part of a “crime saga” away from the main continuity. That doesn’t mean this world ends here, and while Reeves’ movies (thankfully) sit away from Gunn’s canon alongside Todd Phillips’ Joker, these heroes and villains won’t be confined to just three movies. There’s already Colin Farrell’s forthcoming HBO Max limited series, with an Arkham-centric series tipped to bring back Keoghan’s Clown Prince of Crime. All of these can give a more diverse roster of those rogues we don’t usually see. Professor Pyg could at least be hinted at in Part II as part of the broader crime saga. 

Even if Professor Pyg doesn’t have the (pork) chops to hold up a whole movie on his own, it’s about time Lazlo Valentin got his time to shine. Imagine Penguin heading up a cabal of animal-themed villains, with Professor Pyg sitting alongside Great White Shark, Flamingo, Killer Croc, Catman, Man-Bat, and more. The Batman was clearly pointing at the Court of Owls and a wink toward the fan-favorite Hush, but rest assured, plenty are worthy of their own story and are lurking in the bowels of Arkham. Either way, Professor Pyg is one porky psychopath who could take The Batman Part II in a ‘wild’ new direction.

Based in Manchester, UK, Tom Chapman has over seven years’ experience covering everything from dragons to Demogorgons. Starting out with a stint at Movie Pilot in Berlin, Tom has since branched out to indulge his love of all things Star Wars and the MCU at Digital Spy, Den of Geek, IGN, Yahoo! and more. These days, you’ll find Tom channelling his inner Gale Weathers and ranting about how HBO did us dirty with Game of Thrones Season Eight.

The “janitor of the Justice League” finally comes into his own — The Flash review

Based on the iconic Flashpoint story-line from DC Comics, this film centers around an event in Barry Allen’s (Ezra Miller) past — the tragic death of his mother. As if the pain of losing her wasn’t enough, his father was wrongfully accused of the crime and unjustly imprisoned. Left to fend for himself as a child, Barry eventually becomes a member of the renowned superhero team, The Justice League, following appearances in other DCEU films such as Batman V. Superman: Dawn of Justice, Zack Snyder’s Justice League, and Suicide Squad. Juggling his dual identity as Barry Allen the chemist and speedy superhero The Flash, Barry feels somewhat dejected as he sees himself as just the “janitor of the Justice League.” But when he discovers he has the power to manipulate time, he’s tempted to go back to save his mother’s life and prevent his father from having to serve time in prison.

After seeking counsel from his confidant, Bruce Wayne aka Batman (Ben Affleck), on the ethics of time travel, Barry realizes that altering the timeline could trigger the butterfly effect with unforeseeable results. This prompts Barry to contemplate whether he should change the past and rescue his deceased mother, or follow Bruce’s example of accepting fate, as he had done with the loss of his own parents.

Who should go and see The Flash?

This film is a total treat for DC super-fans, with plenty of easter eggs and cameos to uncover. But even if you’re not a hardcore fan, you’ll still appreciate the sharp humor and robust plot. The film rewards eagle-eyed viewers, with not-so-secret appearances from Sasha Calle‘s Kara Zor-El, aka Superman’s cousin Supergirl, and Michael Keaton‘s other-dimensional Batman. Calle‘s performance is especially captivating, bringing the same steely resolve that Henry Cavill brought to his role as Superman. And Keaton‘s return as Batman is simply thrilling, with plenty of iconic dialogue and action scenes. He acts as a guide for Barry, bringing level-headed thinking to the team to balance out Barry’s eccentric ideas and showing him how to be a true superhero.

Final takeaways from the film — The Flash review

The Flash started off at a speedy pace, but the finale felt jumbled and left loose ends untied. Like too many superhero movies, it relied on an underdeveloped villain and CGI battles instead of character-driven storytelling. Much of the gravity from earlier scenes shattered under the weight of this lackluster ending.

However, The Flash isn’t a complete misfire as it shows DC heading in the right direction to improve its cinematic universe. Overall, it was a great film that balances humor, action, and fan service in just the right way.

The next big question is what comes next, given DC’s recent leadership shakeup, led by newly appointed co-CEO James Gunn, alongside his counterpart, co-CEO Peter Safran. Gunn has publicly promised a studio-wide reboot and it’s unclear if a sequel will even materialize with all the critical buzz. Can DC keep up the momentum, especially with potential drama surrounding lead actor Ezra Miller? Time will tell.

Interested in seeing it for yourself? Be sure to grab tickets below at Hollywood.com!

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