This is one of my favorite live action comic book adaptation shows of all time and it's another childhood gem. Back then I never even heard of "The Flash" let alone any of the other roster in the DC verse. Seeing this show it really blew me away because it's given me another favorite superhero in my roster and this show didn't come a moment too soon as the 90's were a bit of a gold age for the comic book films that were just starting their assent from the live action films "Batman", "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles", "The Rocketeer" etc. so why not have another DC superhero shown the spotlight and given his own TV show "The Flash" was a good choice.
This show really had a lot going for it which I don't say for a lot of live action comic book adaptations shows, as most of them don't always have the same staying power as the source material I read, as some of them don't always meet certain expectations I hold. This show is one of those cases where it does meet my expectations or at least comes close which is all I can really ask for a live action adaptation or any TV show in general.
The production value is impressive, I felt this was one of the prime examples of not just doing a live action comic book adaption right but also any TV show right when you put effort or extra effort for that manner, it really showed that the creators truly cared about what their creating. I really love the look of Central City as it's goes for a sort of art deco look which is like the one in the film "Batman". I like that here we see a sort of alternate America where it looks like the present but there is a mix of some of the 1920-40 America as you see certain car models that could be at a car museum or convention, as we as certain things people where, let alone weapons where in some episodes some criminals are shooting Tommy guns. Certain mural art that you would see along with some vibrant colorful lighting in places. It also gives the show a noir quality, showing as color and fascinating a place it is, it's also a dark world that has danger hiding in every shadow.
I really like the running effects, they really give out the illusion of super speed well. Despite the effects in the 2015 version of "The Flash" I still like the first effect a lot better as it's a little more practical, cinematography is very good as well as we sometimes get his view point. I remember watching those sequences as a kid I would sometimes pretend I'm running at super speed that shot was that cool made you feel like you the viewer were "The Flash". Some of the things he does with the super speed are cool and would be very handy, like the little thing of being able to read a book at super speed, yeah wish I could read that fast get more books done that way. But I also like the Red color and multiple movement visual effects, but best of all that sound of super speed which is just music to my ears. Even like the design of the costume as it really looks like it came straight off the comics and I wouldn't want it any other way.
The music in the show is also great as it's done by one of my favorite composers Danny Elfman, whom in the 90's was just on a roll. This show has one of favorite theme songs and super hero themes I've ever heard which I feel is something that is sorely missing in most comic book TV shows and movies; this song just signifies "The Flash" just as the themes for "Superman" and "Batman" signify their heroes.
John Wesley Shipp is great as the Flash he is the Flash much as Christopher Reeve is "Superman", Peter Weller is "Robocop", and Karl Urban is "Judge Dredd", really like the look of the actor as he kind of looks like Bruce Campbell but isn't, defiantly has the same chin (Bruce Campbell as a DC verse character that would have been something). He just fits like a glove in this role, sure there have a been a couple of other live action versions (Grant Justin is my second favorite version) but this is my favorite version as he is the first and still the best in my book. He's a likeable guy that is a CSI detective by day and superhero by night which I like that concept of being a hero in both the day and night time. Has reserved charisma out of the suit but also sharp charisma with the suit.
Really love that he's really smart which to me is "The Flash's" true strength showing that even with all the super powers and abilities human intelligence is still the best weapon. But also I like how he reacts in coping with having the power along with dealing with the supervillain that come to town, it feels like how any other person would react; yeah I'd think if I ever saw anyone dressed up like "The Trickster" I'd think their off the rails or have taken cosplay too far. Or if I at first had the same powers as "The Flash" I'd be a little scared but also amazed at the same time.
Other supporting characters are solid like Julio (Alex Desert) Barry's best friend he's a helpful character but also really like how he's concern for both Barry's social life and well-being; in a way he's sort of the equivalent of Cisco from the 2015 version sort of.
Another is Tina played well by Amanda Pays another underrated actress, I really like how she is Barry's number two as both help each other understand how to control and even push the power past their extent. I like how she helps provide intelligence but also scientific knowledge into whatever situation their dealing with which is very useful, and sometimes even gadgets for the Flash for him to get ahead of his enemies. Also, possible would be significant other had the show gone on longer.
Megan Lockhart (Joyce Hyser) despite only in a few episode I also like as she is hot with persona to boot, she's a sharp private detective that can hold her own against danger, she's also is a bit of a significant other to Barry; I can't help but think this should have been Iris West some of the characteristics were there; yeah we did have an Iris but she was only in the pilot and that version didn't really feel like Iris to me, so if you watch this show you can always pretend this character is Iris if you want. Fun fact most of the cast in this show showed up in the 2015 version of "The Flash".
Most importantly the action and story. The action is good, as it's well choregraphed and really look and feel like comic book battles and action come to life. I like that it's not just all fisticuffs but also a battle of wits as there is science involved.
The story is pretty good, some of the stories were written by late great comic book writer Howard Chaykin. Despite serious it's also slightly humorous, the show knows how to have fun with itself but also knows when the comedy ends. I like how in the show they incorporate most of the famous rogues from the series which I feel is something sorely missing in most comic book shows including the 2015 version.
My favorite rogue and the one that truly stands out for me is The Trickster played well by Mark Hamell. Mark was just a blast in the role, I can tell he was having fun doing it; in a way this was a dry run for him as this was a couple of years before he got to play his most famous voice acting role as "The Joker" in "Batman the Animated Series" along with the "Batman Arkham" video game trilogy. I really like how he is both funny but also very menacing at the same time due to his unpredictable psychotic nature. He's a worthy foe for the Flash as he is true to his name but also with is persona can flip on a dime at any moment which makes it all the trickier to anticipate his next move.
It sucks that this show didn't get any extra millage and track, it really disappointed me as a kid when we didn't get another season there really was so much more that could have been done. Even if they couldn't get another season, he could of came straight to the silver screen which would have been awesome, DC in the 90's could have had two successful film franchise "Batman" and "The Flash" side by side, sadly they passed up the opportunity. It would be awesome if DC Comics did a comic series based on this 90's tv series, I see no reason this shouldn't happen they've already done "Batman 66" and "Wonder Woman 74" so why not "Flash 90" it's a thought anyway.
This is a vintage live action comic book classic worth rushing to, as it's got plenty of mileage for fun.
Rating: 4 stars
This show really had a lot going for it which I don't say for a lot of live action comic book adaptations shows, as most of them don't always have the same staying power as the source material I read, as some of them don't always meet certain expectations I hold. This show is one of those cases where it does meet my expectations or at least comes close which is all I can really ask for a live action adaptation or any TV show in general.
The production value is impressive, I felt this was one of the prime examples of not just doing a live action comic book adaption right but also any TV show right when you put effort or extra effort for that manner, it really showed that the creators truly cared about what their creating. I really love the look of Central City as it's goes for a sort of art deco look which is like the one in the film "Batman". I like that here we see a sort of alternate America where it looks like the present but there is a mix of some of the 1920-40 America as you see certain car models that could be at a car museum or convention, as we as certain things people where, let alone weapons where in some episodes some criminals are shooting Tommy guns. Certain mural art that you would see along with some vibrant colorful lighting in places. It also gives the show a noir quality, showing as color and fascinating a place it is, it's also a dark world that has danger hiding in every shadow.
I really like the running effects, they really give out the illusion of super speed well. Despite the effects in the 2015 version of "The Flash" I still like the first effect a lot better as it's a little more practical, cinematography is very good as well as we sometimes get his view point. I remember watching those sequences as a kid I would sometimes pretend I'm running at super speed that shot was that cool made you feel like you the viewer were "The Flash". Some of the things he does with the super speed are cool and would be very handy, like the little thing of being able to read a book at super speed, yeah wish I could read that fast get more books done that way. But I also like the Red color and multiple movement visual effects, but best of all that sound of super speed which is just music to my ears. Even like the design of the costume as it really looks like it came straight off the comics and I wouldn't want it any other way.
The music in the show is also great as it's done by one of my favorite composers Danny Elfman, whom in the 90's was just on a roll. This show has one of favorite theme songs and super hero themes I've ever heard which I feel is something that is sorely missing in most comic book TV shows and movies; this song just signifies "The Flash" just as the themes for "Superman" and "Batman" signify their heroes.
John Wesley Shipp is great as the Flash he is the Flash much as Christopher Reeve is "Superman", Peter Weller is "Robocop", and Karl Urban is "Judge Dredd", really like the look of the actor as he kind of looks like Bruce Campbell but isn't, defiantly has the same chin (Bruce Campbell as a DC verse character that would have been something). He just fits like a glove in this role, sure there have a been a couple of other live action versions (Grant Justin is my second favorite version) but this is my favorite version as he is the first and still the best in my book. He's a likeable guy that is a CSI detective by day and superhero by night which I like that concept of being a hero in both the day and night time. Has reserved charisma out of the suit but also sharp charisma with the suit.
Really love that he's really smart which to me is "The Flash's" true strength showing that even with all the super powers and abilities human intelligence is still the best weapon. But also I like how he reacts in coping with having the power along with dealing with the supervillain that come to town, it feels like how any other person would react; yeah I'd think if I ever saw anyone dressed up like "The Trickster" I'd think their off the rails or have taken cosplay too far. Or if I at first had the same powers as "The Flash" I'd be a little scared but also amazed at the same time.
Other supporting characters are solid like Julio (Alex Desert) Barry's best friend he's a helpful character but also really like how he's concern for both Barry's social life and well-being; in a way he's sort of the equivalent of Cisco from the 2015 version sort of.
Another is Tina played well by Amanda Pays another underrated actress, I really like how she is Barry's number two as both help each other understand how to control and even push the power past their extent. I like how she helps provide intelligence but also scientific knowledge into whatever situation their dealing with which is very useful, and sometimes even gadgets for the Flash for him to get ahead of his enemies. Also, possible would be significant other had the show gone on longer.
Megan Lockhart (Joyce Hyser) despite only in a few episode I also like as she is hot with persona to boot, she's a sharp private detective that can hold her own against danger, she's also is a bit of a significant other to Barry; I can't help but think this should have been Iris West some of the characteristics were there; yeah we did have an Iris but she was only in the pilot and that version didn't really feel like Iris to me, so if you watch this show you can always pretend this character is Iris if you want. Fun fact most of the cast in this show showed up in the 2015 version of "The Flash".
Most importantly the action and story. The action is good, as it's well choregraphed and really look and feel like comic book battles and action come to life. I like that it's not just all fisticuffs but also a battle of wits as there is science involved.
The story is pretty good, some of the stories were written by late great comic book writer Howard Chaykin. Despite serious it's also slightly humorous, the show knows how to have fun with itself but also knows when the comedy ends. I like how in the show they incorporate most of the famous rogues from the series which I feel is something sorely missing in most comic book shows including the 2015 version.
My favorite rogue and the one that truly stands out for me is The Trickster played well by Mark Hamell. Mark was just a blast in the role, I can tell he was having fun doing it; in a way this was a dry run for him as this was a couple of years before he got to play his most famous voice acting role as "The Joker" in "Batman the Animated Series" along with the "Batman Arkham" video game trilogy. I really like how he is both funny but also very menacing at the same time due to his unpredictable psychotic nature. He's a worthy foe for the Flash as he is true to his name but also with is persona can flip on a dime at any moment which makes it all the trickier to anticipate his next move.
It sucks that this show didn't get any extra millage and track, it really disappointed me as a kid when we didn't get another season there really was so much more that could have been done. Even if they couldn't get another season, he could of came straight to the silver screen which would have been awesome, DC in the 90's could have had two successful film franchise "Batman" and "The Flash" side by side, sadly they passed up the opportunity. It would be awesome if DC Comics did a comic series based on this 90's tv series, I see no reason this shouldn't happen they've already done "Batman 66" and "Wonder Woman 74" so why not "Flash 90" it's a thought anyway.
This is a vintage live action comic book classic worth rushing to, as it's got plenty of mileage for fun.
Rating: 4 stars