The Flash (TV Series) Pilot (1990) User Reviews

Cheesy, But Nice Way To Portray A Comic Book Hero

[ccthemovieman-1 · 8/10 · 14 March 2007]

Even though this film had a B-quality feel to it throughout, I liked it. For a lighthearted story about a cartoon character, maybe this is the way it ought to be done, at least in spirit. All this dark stuff with blood, guts and tons of profanity isn't the way most of us look at cartoon heroes.

I saw this on tape and I'm hoping the DVD, if I ever get it, has improved sound. The Flash, who is here-and-there "in a flash," needs good surround sound to go with the special- effects, and the tape didn't have it. I could more easily put up with the amateurish dialog.

The movie has charm, however, because of the added comedy mixed in with the action, and the likable hero, portrayed by John Wesley Shipp. I liked the female lead, too, played by the pretty Amanda Pays.

This is nothing spectacular, by any means, but a fun, harmless and entertaining hour-and-a- half.

Great Comic Book Adaptation

[KMM · 7/10 · 23 March 2002]

This movie premiered in September of 1990 shortly after the 1989 Batman film. There are definite similarities between the two in mood, art direction, style and music. When I first heard about this show I was really excited because I had been a fan of The Flash and DC Comics for years prior to this show. I felt the creators of the show did a wonderful job in setting the mood for a comic book atmosphere. I thought the stories were entertaining and as I watch them years later they still appeal to me. The special effects for the time were pretty good. John Wesley Shipp made a great Barry Allen, and The Flash costume he wore was one of the better costume efforts I've seen for a superhero. I also felt the show created some real likeable characters. In addition, I felt the Barry Allen and Christina McGee characters had good on-screen chemistry.

Unfortunately, the TV show only lasted one season because CBS never knew where they wanted to put this show from week to week. I watched every episode of the TV show until it was cancelled. I can only ponder what could have been, where the show could have gone if it had been given a real chance to grow and develope into a premiere super hero show. Whenever any of the actors show up in anything else, I always think of The Flash immediately, especially John Wesley Shipp. It was only one season, but his performance as The Flash and his alter ego, Barry Allen, left a lasting impression.

file under "brilliant but canceled"

[wrolfsmeyer · 8/10 · 20 June 2006]

I was really psyched about this show when it first aired on TV. I didn't much about the Flash, but I was always into comic book adaptations. This show never disappointed me. It had some really cool action, and the humor was just right for the atmosphere of the show. I honestly believe this show would have lasted longer it if hadn't been that the show seemed to be on a different night every week.

Having picked up the DVD immediately after it was released, I was pleased to see the show has aged well. Despite the fact that this show is sixteen years old, the special effects are still fairly impressive, even compared to what they can do today. The only gripe I have is the consistency of certain scenes. One scene the Flash can cross the city in less than a second, the next scene he's barely running faster than a car, yet he still has the blur effect of running very fast. However, I can overlook this because technology was still very limited when this show aired. But overall, it was a fun show to watch as a kid, and it's still fun today.

Great series with terrible luck.

[Reel_World · 7 December 2004]

The Flash was for its time a terrific show. With a million dollar per episode budget, the creative team didn't try to skimp on things and the production value is outstanding. Using a mix of known and unknown actors to fill the roles, and with some great SFX for the time, the story is well paced, with good action and characters that aren't as 2-dimensional as some in comic films today!

The only failing point for The Flash was its time schedule. When Flash premiered it was up against The Simpsons and other juggernaut "Must see" shows. For this reason, viewer ratings were lower than wanted, which led to the eventual cancellation.

The only two questions now is when will this series be released on DVD? I mean - hell's teeth - if Golden Girls and Diff'rent Strokes can be put to disc, why not this?? Question Two is When (and will) DC aim at a big screen adaption?

Brought Back Memories

[vsmithd · 6/10 · 19 July 2005]

This, for a made for TV movie is excellent. It includes everything that a good comic book adaptation should, and ranks up there with Flash Gordon, Superman: The Movie, Batman & Dick Tracy, it really is that good.

Again, for a made for TV movie, the production values are excellent. The chemistry between the actors really makes you believe this is actually happening. For this type of film in this genre I cannot rate this acting highly enough.

Made in the late 80's - early 90's, the last hay day of comic book adaptations, which included very strong films such as Dick Tracy, Batman & Batman Returns. This film only reflects the quality of films that were produced in this genre at this time, compared to now when in my opinion good comic book movies are few and few between.

Danny elfman has had great success composing in this genre, and it is great to hear his music play through the film, and it is a credit to a small film such as this that they got hold of such a big name composer such as he, and has went on to composer such comic book adaptations such as Hulk & Spider-man. The new flock of comic book adaptations are clearly influenced most notably by this film and Batman, and Spider-Man totally reflects that influence.

Not to be taken totally seriously. If you are a fan of the genre it ranks near the top, and is a fun movie to watch with the family. I know i loved it as a kid, and watching it now, years later the fun has'nt changed, much like Batman & Dick Tracy for me. a movie to be enjoyed and not Criticized.

Batman Meets Dick Tracy (with a little bit of Demolition Man on the side)

[LostHighway101 · 7/10 · 17 April 2006]

Not bad. "The Flash" is a fun TV movie with production values which range far beyond any of my expectations (Central City, the Flash's beloved hometown, looks like a cross between Demolition Man and Dick Tracy).

John Wesley Shipp plays Barry Allen, a man who is struck by lightning and doused with chemicals to become a speedy superhero. He is charismatic and not-too-hammy as the hero . . . the perfect Flash. With his love life up in the air and eventually his family life, he and a STAR labs scientist begin to find a perfect outlet for it all: crimefighting.

It is goofy and at times the adequate direction slips (for example, there's an overly-goofy scene where he and his dog first discover his power in the park), its special effects, although stylish, leave more to be desired, and its general tone is given little emphasis.

But that doesn't ruin the film. The action is good and the production design is GREAT (note especially Pike's biker hideout looking like the Foot Clans' in the first Ninja Turtles movie and the nighttime police station and prison exteriors -- looking like Dick Tracy).

The climactic ending is awesome. It centers around a standoff between a biker gang and the Central City police, The Flash serving as intermediary. It is a classic superhero scene, and looks oddly enough a lot like the Arkham standoff in "Batman Begins".

Rent "The Flash" because it entertains and dazzles at times.

The BEST Live-Action Superhero Series!

[cariart · 10/10 · 21 February 2006]

The Flash" is the BEST live-action comic book adaptation ever to appear on television! I speak as a 'baby boomer' who grew up on "The Adventures of Superman" in the fifties, endured "Batman" in the sixties, and found "Wonder Woman" a 'mixed bag' in the seventies. "The Flash" is much, much better, and it has always been a tragedy that poor ratings (due largely to shifting time slots and the Gulf War) killed this series after a single season.

But what a season it was!

Produced by fellow 'baby boomers' Danny Bilson and Paul De Meo, to capitalize on the success of the Tim Burton "Batman" and visual style of the Warren Beatty "Dick Tracy" (with a theme by the composer of both films, Danny Elfman), the series focused on the adventures of the 'Silver Age' Flash, Barry Allen (played with boyish charm by John Wesley Shipp). A police scientist, Allen is struck by a bolt of lightning in his lab, and doused with an array of chemicals that alters his DNA, mutating him into a being of nearly limitless speed, superhuman regenerative powers, and an appetite for food to maintain his stamina that could keep pizza parlors in business for years! The death of his older brother, Jay (named after the forties' comic book Flash, and played by 'B' movie legend, Tim Thomerson) leads Allen to don a mask and costume, and fight crime, with his secret shared by scientist Tina McGee (Amanda Pays). Then it is literally 'off to the races', as the Flash uses his speed to combat street gangs, vicious killers, and the celebrated 'Rogues' Gallery' of costumed villains 'lifted' from the comic book (The Trickster, Captain Cold, etc.) While the series never attempted to be 'real', it avoided campiness, and respected both the audience and it's comic book roots (with references to legendary "Flash" authors and artists cleverly slipped in). The FX were astonishing (and VERY expensive to create), and still 'hold up' extremely well against the CGI effects of today.

Among the memorable actors who appeared in the series were Mark Hamill (just seven years after the original "Star Wars" trilogy concluded, and developing the 'villainous' skills that would make him the ideal 'Joker' in the animated "Batman" series), Bill ("Lost in Space") Mumy, Dick Miller, Robert Shayne ('Inspector Henderson' in "The Adventures of Superman"), David Cassidy, a pre-stardom Angela Bassett, Richard ("Homicide" and "Law and Order") Belzer, M. Emmet Walsh, and Alex Désert, as Allen's dreadlocks-coiffed sidekick, Julio Mendez.

Each episode of the series was vastly entertaining, with Shipp displaying not only a heroic physique, but a finely-tuned comic timing, and a dazzling smile guaranteed to melt your heart, as well. He made a character in a red 'muscle suit' not only believable, but as ingratiating as Christopher Reeve's 'Superman'.

I could go on and on, but don't take MY word for it...Watch an episode or two...You'll get 'hooked'!

Enjoyable superhero origin

[Milk_Tray_Guy · 7/10 · 30 September 2021]

I hadn't seen this since watching it on VHS as a standalone movie. It holds up pretty well, due in no small part to John Wesley Shipp's likeability as Barry Allen. He might not be a dead ringer for comics Barry, but he's credible as both superhero and general day-to-day good guy. Michael Nader (he would have made a great Batman; the look, voice, everything) on the other hand hams it up for all he's worth as main baddie Nicholas Pike, whilst Amanda Pays is solid as Star Labs techie Christina McGee, Paula Marshall makes a good (and extremely hot!) Iris West, and the always great Tim Thomerson is watchable as ever as Barry's older brother, Jay.

Tonally, The Flash is often compared to Tim Burton's Batman '89 (I half expected to see the Bat-signal in the opening shot of Central City); certainly, scenes at the jailhouse shootout reminded me of the Axis Chemicals firefight (including the police's first glimpse of the hero), and some later "You made me!" dialogue sounded familiar, all reinforced by Danny Elfman's main theme, and incidental music by Shirley Walker (a collaborator of Elfman's on Batman '89, and who would go on to score Batman: The Animated Series two years later). But watching it now I can also see a connection between some scenes (the villain's lair) and the Batman '66 show (as well as Joel Schumacher's subsequent Batman Forever). Some of the VFX understandably look crude by today's standards - but not all of them. And the suit still impresses (again, very Batman '89 influenced). At times the 'TV budget' is painfully obvious, but you can't really hold that against it.

I know Shipp reprised the role in recent years in the Arrowverse, but I would love to see a quick scene of Shipp's Flash, face-to-face with Keaton's Batman in the new Flash movie. Guess that's too much to hope for! 7/10.

Great DC Comic movie!

[Movie Nuttball · 10/10 · 12 November 2003]

The Flash is a great movie! I liked it very much! John Wesley Shipp was the perfect choice to play the hero that is known as the Flash! He reminded Me a lot of Bruce Campbell! Amanda Pays, Michael Nader, and Alex Désert were good! The additions of Tim Thomerson and M. Emmet Walsh was cool and they acted very well! Richard Belzer had a short part. The movie has tons of action and the film is realistic! The music by Shirley Walker and Danny Elfman was awesome! If you like Super hero movies such as Batman, The X-Men, Spider-Man, and The Hulk then don't miss the Flash!

Oh yeah! It was horrible

[bbbl67 · 2/10 · 23 May 2006]

Not to take anything away from all of the comic book fans here, who seem to adore this show, but are you crazy? Everything about this show screams out "bad", from the acting to the writing to the directing. It's like as if the actors are reading their lines off of a teleprompter (which they probably are). Even when the show was on TV, I guess I never watched more than one episode of the series -- it had nothing to do with the network giving bad time slots to this show. Giving this show the network's best time slot would have just resulted in that time slot getting destroyed. There are just some shows that are too horrid to survive, and this is one of them. Its fate was exactly what it should have been.

A classic!

[johnkanephotography1 · 8/10 · 20 July 2008]

There can be no doubt of the hilariously silly dialogue in this show but it has to be one of the strongest reason to watch it. Jonathan Brandis appearance(which isn't noted on the credits on the shows page here) in "childs play" is amazing when set against the drug induced insanity of the villain.

Further more, the costume was excellent. Do you ever notice how in every Batman movie they HAVE to change the costume and wonder why it has become so over complicated to produce something that has been more or less constant since before most of the production company was born and think "Why?" The simplicity of The Flash costume makes it just that little bit more realistic. I know, comic books and realistic, but thats has been a problem. There is an adjective for this and it is call "OVER-working"

The key is to know what you like. If you're one of those people who, when asked what kind of music you like say, "Well, um, I like a bit of everything, I don't like to listen to any one band or person", then you probably won't care about this much because you are too indecisive and think that its a pop quiz and you can only give one answer. If on the other hand you have a list of bands or groups, or just one, or even if you change your preference and say "At the minute I'm listening to...." then give it a go.

An excellent adaptation

[Thor-11 · 9 February 1999]

Although it's true that Flash was a more "obscure" hero, that didn't make this show any less amazing. Million-dollar effects and fun characters made it exciting and interesting, and because of this show, I've been reading comic books for ten years. I don't think it mattered that Barry was dead in the comics, or that Flash is less recognizeable than Batman or Superman; he's still an interesting character with really cool superpowers and a nifty costume, and that's why DC characters translate so well into live-action, unlike Marvel characters. Now if only there was a Green Lantern series...

WHOA

[cbatukilic · 8/10 · 31 October 2020]

I'm really impressed. Maybe I'm so nostalgic person but it was way over my expectations. -Characters are good, acting meh but lead actor is good. -Soundtracks just like the 80's nonsense orchestral noises. -But writing and directing so so good. Plus, he is not like the Arrowverse Flash. He is not stop and talk while a combat, he's just hitting and hitting as it should be if you are fast as flash :D And the best thing is there is no political correctness nonsense. They're just on their job and not trying to give some stupid messages to/for some stupid communuties. 90's were so good just like 00's.

Great series.

[wkozak221 · 10/10 · 7 August 2020]

I love this version. IMO it was just right. You had The Flash, his co-worker, Tina, etc. It was nice to see Barry had a family. It was also nice to see the various villains from the comics. Two things I loved about the series is did rescue, scenes speeded up not slow motion. Also, I used to laugh when Barry would binge eat when he needed food. Great scenes!

The Flash

[amelville · 10/10 · 10 February 2007]

I have not seen this movie but i agree the Flash is one of the greatest superheros of all time. His costume is one of the best designs there is and the little lightning bolts on his head are awesome!!!, his ability to run fast is incredible. Marvel has done well with themselves creating this character. I don't see why the Flash is not that popular like Spider-Man, Superman or Batman i think he should have been up the top with the other superheros. But it is good that he is in the justice league team with Captain America, Batman, Superman, Wonder Women and many other great superheros. As i said before Marvel has done well with itself.

DECENT SUPERHERO FILM

[Big Movie Fan · 16 February 2002]

Whilst The Flash (released in 1990) was not as good as earlier films such as Superman and Batman it was still a decent movie.

The Flash was a a great comic book character who could run really really fast-and he had a cool costume as well. The Flash had always been one character I had wanted to see made into a film.

John Wesley Shipp and Amanda Pays had great chemistry on screen and they played their roles very well. It took what seemed a long while before we actually saw the Scarlet Speedster on the screen but when he did make his debut-WOW!

Whilst I don't think this film was as good as the TV series that followed it was decent enough.One thing I did think was wrong in this film was the lack of a super villain. 1989's Batman film had the Joker and Superman had Lex Luthor but all the Flash really had was some punks on motorcycles. In the comic book the Flash had many great foes such as Captain Boomerang and the Weather Wizard and I think the film would have been much better if it had had a super villain in it.

A good film nevertheless.

First Run

[hellraiser7 · 9/10 · 28 September 2023]

Warning do not read unless seen episode.

This is one of my favorite episodes of the show and it's one of my favorite pilot episodes as it's one of those one's done right. I really like how it plays out. It feels like it could of easily of been a stand-alone movie almost.

The whole story is just one big gradual build up to pay off which of course is most of the time what all pilot episodes are, but it's a matter of execution and most importantly telling a good story which it does. We get a good feel for Barry and who he is, really like his discovery of his powers which is funny but also feels realistic as we would probably react and feel the same way as him.

One scene I really like is when he's trying to catch a bus but of course we know he doesn't need the bus as he is unintentionally utilizing his superspeed. The effect is cool, in a way it's a dream we all must get someplace in time; only problem is he doesn't know how to apply the breaks yet. And of course, we see him in training with partner and mentor figure Tina Macgee; we get a little backstory on her which makes her sympathetic, but also, I kind of wonder if it was a little hint for supervillain The Thinker had Season 2 happened.

We even get a little on Barry's personal life like his back and forth with his older brother Jay who is played well by Tim Thomerson whom of course is known for the Full Moon Picture films like "Trancers" and "Dollman"; sidenote can't help but wonder if he would of played the Jay Garrick Flash had there been a Season 2 if they wanted to do the Elsewords concept which they could as the 2014 tv series did.

But really like the back and forth between the two as both look up to each other and both believe in what they're doing. Which is what made the tragedy all the sadder, I'll admit it was heartbreaking as we see Barry tries to save Jay but despite his superspeed he is a split second too late. That scene made me recall the quote from Clark Kent in "Superman the Movie" after his father passed away, once again shows how heroism has its limitations, despite our abilities or the strengthening of them, there is still a lot that is beyond our own control; we can only do the best we can to do and make things right. That is what Clark Kent/Superman always does and that's of course what Barry Alien/The Flash does too.

I even like the villain who isn't one from "The Flash" rogue gallery but he's still a solid villain and one that feels almost plausible. Pike is menacing but charisma, highly intelligent from his planning and law enforcement experience and borderline psychotic as he has delusions of grandeur to the highest RPM; all make a deadly combination and is a common combination with most cult leaders. Like this plan he has which in a way predates a bit of the movie "The Dark Knight Rises" as Bane had a similar scheme, where he breaks out all the criminals and overrun the city for total takeover.

And of course, really like seeing the Flash in action which is the payoff. It's not exactly wall to wall action but The Flash was never known for hard boiled action anyway, it's really seeing him get the job done quicker, outsmarting and being faster than the bad guys. Like seeing him deliver some punches to some flunkies by constantly going back and forth at super speed but my favorite moment was seeing him create a tornado to give Pike let's just say ironic punishment.

The last scene at the end was really touching which remind me a little of a scene in the movie "The Punisher (2004 version), as he is telling his nephew the story of his brother Jay as a runner. This story really show the sentimental value of his title as "The Flash" along with the symbol he wears as a way to honor his own brother, to show he's never truly gone, and that everything he believed and fought for is never lost as long as there are people that continue the fight.

Rating: 3 and a half stars.

Great Comic Hero Film

[Gunn · 23 July 2003]

I agree with most of the comments here. This is one of the best comic book superhero films ever! Especially the pilot film, it ranks right up there with Spider-man, Batman, Darkman and Superman! It has fabulous effects, especially for a TV movie; good acting; a good storyline; funny scenes and action scenes; fine production values and above all an excellent score and theme song by the great Danny Elfman...and I think possibly his best. I also agree that CBS did not give it a chance to develop a following, which I'm sure it would have. If it had a weakness, it was the villains, who could not compare with Dr. Ock, Green Goblin, The Joker, The Penguin or Lex Luthor. The Flash is now available on DVD. Don't miss it!

The Scarlet Speedster Trips Up

[Chiron1987 · 22 December 1998]

D.C. Comics and Warner Bros. were on a roll after Batman made it to movie screens. So, why not bring another of their colorful comic book cadre to the screen, on a smaller and safer scale? The Flash premiered to lukewarm reaction, probably because the general public did not have any idea who the hell he was. Great special effects and a very imposing red suit did not equal out the poor stories, trite dialogue, and substandard acting. We can also chalk The Flash's demise to the fact that the main character, Barry Allen, had been dead in the comics for five years, and a new Flash, Wally West, Allen's nephew had been operating ever since. Too many things doomed the Flash from the beginning, and we never even got to see Adrian Zoom, the Reverse-Flash!

You don't like it? You don't get it.

[Gaetulius · 22 January 2001]

You have to approach this series as a hybrid of the superhero genre previously experienced in both the Batman television series of the 1960's combined with the look of the Batman movies of the 1980's. It's funny. It's full of in-jokes, and just ridiculous.

the scarlet speedster hits tv

[comix_man2000 · 24 July 2003]

ah..the flash tv movie was not half bad a lot of it was not close to the comics but it was still enjoyable almost equal to the 70's batman. a lot of the characters were off but it had its ups. one thing is at that time Barry was dead(crisis on infinite earth #8) i guess i took place in the silver age..oh well also he should have been dating iris west(wally's aunt)maybe he was..its been a while..any ways in the tv movie he fought bikers, it confused me to...they could at least have had captain cold, weather wizard,zoom(revers flash) or mirror master, at least they had trickster(flash II), back on to subject this movie is fare it was better than the CBS justice league piolt...waaay better over all i give the flash tv movie 9 out of 10 great but not so perfect.

Clearly one of the greatest films ever made...

[jmc_automatic · 21 June 2002]

For the love of Christ, you have to see this movie. Forget Batman, Superman or The Crow, The Flash has to be the daddy of them all. Being a spin-off from one of the finest TV series in the history of mankind, this has the budget of a hobo's caviar account, and is all the more lovable for it. Check out those high-speed shots simulating the Flash's P.O.V. while running. Pure class.

Director Robert Iscove went on to direct She's All That. Damn, that's a long way down.

flash speeds by tv

[flash_comix99 · 17 August 2003]

the long awaited flash tv movie ok that was just a joke its been gone for years but it wasnt hafe bad it was kinda cheesy but in some ways cool some of the bad things were the acter who played the flash was bad he didnt look like him at all also the villians didnt look like the did in the comics not at all but the ups were that it had dome ok ploits and cool fight scenes one thing that i wish is hat it could of had PROFESSER ZOOM in it he would have been awsome and it might have the show cooler, to finish it off the flash tv was ok so thuse i give it 7 out of 10