"My name is Barry Allen, and I am the fastest man alive. A friend recently gave me the idea for a new name...and something tells me, it's gonna catch on."
"The Flash" is an upcoming superhero drama debuting on The CW. A spin-off from another CW show 'Arrow', it's definitely become my most anticipated to show of the upcoming season. After originally leaking online earlier this year, an extended version of the pilot with extra scenes is set to begin on October 7th.
What's the show about?
The series follows Barry Allen, a forensic assistant at the Central City Police Department. When Barry was 11, a tornado-like blur swept through his house and killed his mother Nora. His father was given a life sentence for Nora's death despite what Barry saw. Barry has since made it his life goal to find out the truth of what happened that day.
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Joined by a team of scientists Barry sets out to use his new gifts to protect Central City as he continues his search for the tornado-like blur.
So who is Barry Allen?
Barry Allen is a fictional DC character and the 2nd to take the identity of the 'Flash'. In the comics Barry has a reputation for being both slow and late. But after a lightening bolt shatters a case full of chemicals that spill all over him he discovers he can move extremely fast. Thus he dons the title of his favorite comic book hero (Jay Garrick, otherwise known as The Flash) and becomes Central Cities own crime fighter. A founding member of the Justice League, Barry Allen has influenced the DC Universe in many ways and is considered a core member of DC's lineup.
So what was good?
- The cast all fit in well together.
- The speed effect is done well (and doesn't look as cheesy as I was expecting).
- For a show about speed, a lot happened in 40 minutes. In fact to me it felt like a Flash origin movie rather then a 40 minute TV pilot.
- The pilot is actually funny. It pokes fun at Grant's casting (baby-faced, looks 12, ect), the funky costume and more.
- Many references to the Flash mythos are made. Ranging from locations to character names from all throughout the characters history. I really got the feeling that the production team had done their research and were not just going into this blindly.
- Seeds were planted for future plotlines that I can't wait to see explored.
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It's lighter then Arrow, giving the pilot a different vibe from other current (or upcoming) comic book shows. Rather then a more serious approach, The Flash feels more fun and enjoyable.
What can we expect from the remainder of the season?
Barry (and his team) dealing with any metahuman breakouts while also searching for the blur that killed Barry's mother.
Overall thoughts:
I went into this with high hopes and I was not disappointed. Overall I was impressed and it had everything I'd expect out of a comic book show. Here's to 10 more years of Barry Allen! 2024 here we come!
Bonus:
Don't forget that DC has begun their Flash digital tie-in comic, the first hard copy collection has also been released. Set in-between episodes 1 and 2, this will expand the world in different ways from the TV show. Find out more here.
great preview, thanks Chris!
ReplyDeleteSo looking forward to this and I've avoided the leaked version. Glad it has a fun, lighter feel to it.
I watched the Pilot a while back and it was great I can't wait for season 1 to officially air.
ReplyDeleteI watched the leaked pilot and loved it. Can't wait for episode 2.
ReplyDeleteOverall it was an awesome pilot! I mean so much energy, I also had high expectations but I wasn't disappointed at all. Yes it seems lighter than Arrow but that is more related to the shipwreck and Oliver's backstory in the Arrow pilot.
ReplyDeleteMy only concern is that they will have a tough job to follow this up and they will try to hard with introducing this huge amount of comic characters and effects.
I liked the pilot and was pleasantly surprised by the special effects shown in the show.Grant was cast perfectly.Looking forward to the show in the fall to see what they can offer in their future episodes!!
ReplyDeleteI've avoided the leaked version as well, I don't want to see it and then have to wait months for it to start. I can't wait for a superhero show that really embraces it- give me the fun, the powered villains and heroes as well as the big mysteries to keep us coming back.
ReplyDeleteNice preview. I really enjoyed the pilot.
ReplyDeleteYeah my only real concern is that to try and top the pilot they're going to have to dig into the budget. I'd hate to see this turn into another 'The Secret Circle' which was too costly to justify another season.
ReplyDelete2024 nice, what's your feel on caitlin and barry
ReplyDeleteI would like it if they added more red to his costume like the promo picture above, Pilot costume seemed dull and brown, other than that it was a great pilot.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry as much as I enjoyed your article, calling this series " pilot advance previews" always gets my hope up that there is a video, but it's a review of the pilot.
ReplyDeletePilot seemed dull and brown because it was leaked footage, the "real" pilot will probably air with a much better image quality and his clothes will look different.
ReplyDeleteI thing the CW really regrets for not renewing The SC, their biggest mistake in recen times. The ratings really have to go well for The Flash at least on recent Arrow level throughout the season.
ReplyDeleteIt's weird cause the thing that can make them great can destroy them as well. But the most importamt thing is to keep the level of storytelling on a good level and develop all characters around Barry.
I doubt the cw regrets canceling the SC. It was an expensive show that didn't do well in the ratings.
ReplyDeleteI did watch the leaked pilot and enjoyed the lighter feel and the set up of things to possibly come. I was wondering if they might go overboard with now that they're allowing superpowers vs the "reality feel" of Arrow, but for this ep it was well done and gave me confidence that the crew has things in line.
ReplyDeleteAll the released footage for sneak peaks and trailers have it in the same tone as the leaked pilot. Also it looks loose so maybe its like a prototype suit in the series and he will get a suit upgrade.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed the pilot. I really liked all the characters. Especially Barry. I liked him when he came as a guest in Arrow. But I loved him in the pilot. GG was great as the vulnerable and goofy Barry Allen. The cast already has great chemistry unlike Arrow which took some time to get into the groove. Every one of them worked well with each other. I like that the mood in The Flash is so different from Arrow.
ReplyDeleteI hope they get really good ratings so that it will remain on my screens for a long time.
Great preview , can't wait for your reviews!
ReplyDeleteI managed to watch the pilot when it was leaked as I just couldn't resist. After seeing Gotham and the leaked Constantine this is definitely the best out of the bunch. I too agree it felt like a movie instead of a TV show , I couldn't take my eyes of it for a second.
I was greatly thrilled to see the speed effects in the pilot when I saw a leak of it, because it was quite impressive. Blew any speed effects seen on Smallville out of the water and it looked like something that actually would be on any show on any other network(so it seems The CW didn't decide to just give the show a cheap budget on SFX). Also, and this is something else that was important in that The Flash feels very much like an opposite Arrow in that it was fun and enjoyable, not somber or drowning with depression in every single turn.
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed it and this is a good preview. I have the exact opinion pretty much.
Even then, though, I think there is still some chemistry that is lacking between Stephen Amell and Katie Cassidy as well as Willa Holland and Colton Haynes.
ReplyDeletewhat's your theory on wells
ReplyDeleteSPOILERS
ReplyDeleteI've seen a lot of people think he's Professor Zoom/Reverse Flash but I think it'd be too obvious. I think he's someone else and instead is a red herring to distract us from the real Professor Zoom/Reverse Flash.
Rather then a villain, I think he may actually be a 'hero'. Trying to alter events in the past to change the future (by checking the future newspaper, he can tell if he succeeded or failed).
SPOILERS
Thanks Chris!
ReplyDeleteGonna see first time tomorrow . I successfully controlled my urges to watch the leaked one.
ReplyDeleteMe too :) Hope you enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteI will be glad when the season premiere of Flash is behind us. I will watch it, but all the promo is making me stabby.
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