Since it was released at the beginning of June, The Flash has primarily dominated headlines due to its dismal box office performance. Those Speed Force cameos have also been widely derided, with the majority criticising the inclusion of odd-looking CG actors (some of whom passed away several years ago).
While the video game-esque Superman played by Nicolas Cage was arguably the best of a bad bunch, the rest looked like waxwork dummies, including Christopher Reeves' Man of Steel, Adam West's Batman, and even a weirdly anonymous Jay Garrick Flash.
Other elements of the "Chronobowl" sequence also came under fire, and while those involved with The Flash later claimed they were supposed to look stylised and cartoonish, it's hard to buy that when the end result is so terrible.
VFX artists from Corridor Crew have shared their thoughts on the work done by the movie's team, sharing their belief they must have been working under incredibly tight deadlines given how bad the final product looks.
Describing Henry Cavill's CG cameo as "Polar Express Superman," they go on to say, "We know Henry Cavill. We know what he looks like. The rest of [Henry Cavill’s] body seems fine, but then his eyes have no life."
As for Cage and Reeve's respective cameos, the group adds: "Honestly, I think they’re working against themselves a bit with the cinematography. Because when you see the first Nic Cage [shot], it’s like, 'OK, cool, that looks like Nic Cage.' But then the camera orbits around them, and you get the full view, and you’re like, 'Oh, wait, this is a 3D model.'"
"If they would have left it at [the first shot of Nic Cage], it almost works. [The shot with his eyes glowing] looks perfect. I’m down; I’m sold. And then...uh oh. Got the uncanny eyes. Same thing with the Christopher Reeve thing, too. It looks great at first, then it starts spinning around them."
It's widely believed DC Studios and James Gunn added these cameos to the movie's final act (George Clooney and Barry's missing tooth were definitely the Superman: Legacy helmer's idea). Seeing as the studio was only formed in January...well, it explains why the VFX was so bad.
Worlds collide in The Flash when Barry uses his superpowers to travel back in time in order to change the events of the past. But when his attempt to save his family inadvertently alters the future, Barry becomes trapped in a reality in which General Zod has returned, threatening annihilation, and there are no Super Heroes to turn to.
That is, unless Barry can coax a very different Batman out of retirement and rescue an imprisoned Kryptonian...albeit not the one he's looking for. Ultimately, to save the world that he is in and return to the future that he knows, Barry's only hope is to race for his life. But will making the ultimate sacrifice be enough to reset the universe?
The movie stars Ezra Miller, Sasha Calle, Michael Shannon, Ron Livingston, Maribel Verdu, Kiersey Clemons, Antje Traue, and Michael Keaton.
The Flash is now streaming on Max.