Earlier than 2014’s The Flash with Grant Gustin, Barry Allen was valiantly performed by John Wesley Shipp. Initially airing on CBS, the present began off robust with a movie-sized pilot that drew in 22 million viewers however couldn’t hold the momentum and was canceled after 22 episodes. Now The Flash (1990) Blu-ray is obtainable, compiling all of the episodes in HD for the very first time and it’s straightforward to see why the sequence nonetheless has a cult following to at the present time.
“Who-o-o-o-osh! The origins and exploits of the crimefighting DC Comics superhero come your method on this 22-episode live-action sequence. John Wesley Shipp portrays Barry Allen, a police crime technologist endowed with sudden skills after a fluke lab accident. He pledges to make use of his new powers for good, powers that embody ultra-speed reflexes and the power to vibrate his molecules so quickly he can move via stable partitions. Amanda Pays is medical researcher Tina McGee, who screens Allen’s accelerated metabolism and guards his secret id. The Tricksters, Captain Chilly, the Ghost, mad inventors: Central Metropolis is rife with criminals. Now there’s a hero to maintain tempo with them. He’s known as The Flash. And in our period of on the spot communications, he’s extra in keeping with the instances than ever,” says the synopsis.
Upon watching The Flash (1990) Blu-ray, you’ll discover lots of the course was clearly within the mould of Tim Burton’s Batman, which got here out a yr prior. For instance, the muscle swimsuit that Shipp wears appears related aesthetically, and Danny Elfman even dealt with the sequence’ rating alongside Shirley Walker, who would later do an excellent job on Batman: The Animated Collection as properly. It’s not fairly as bizarre as Burton’s take, although, because it winds up being a extra grounded superhero sequence than its The CW counterpart or most superhero fare. After all, there’s nonetheless loads of wackiness as The Flash takes on many over-the-top baddies, similar to Captain Chilly and a clone of himself, however it all comes collectively to make a breezy and nonetheless watchable present that’s enjoyable for any DC fan.
I wish to give a particular highlight to the set’s visuals as that is the primary time the sequence has been seen in HD. Warner Bros. did a 4K scan for this 1080p launch and the present appears incredible because of this. The image and sound are each crisp and leagues higher than the DVD. After all, the particular results couldn’t be redone, however it all holds up fairly darn properly and has a stylized look that works within the present’s favor. Props to Warner Bros. for giving this a great remedy for the Blu-ray launch and never simply doing a fast upscale.
The Flash (1990) Blu-ray is a six-disc set, however it’s extra practical than flashy in its packaging (apologies for the dangerous pun). There’s no slipcover or big field set. As a substitute, it’s in a regular-sized Blu-ray case that does a beautiful job of packing in all six discs with out getting cumbersome or placing them at any threat of getting scratched. Episode titles are on the discs themselves, so it’s straightforward to know what you’re about to look at or discover a particular episode.
The one bummer about this set is that there aren’t any extras. Whereas it could’ve been enjoyable to have some commentaries on the pilot or finale or at the least some interviews, you’re nonetheless getting an excellent worth with all 22 episodes being remastered. It’s simply that one small lacking contact that might’ve made this a spectacular set.
The Flash (1990) Blu-ray Assessment: Ultimate Verdict
The Flash (1990) Blu-ray options 22 episodes of a present that has stood the take a look at of time higher than I’d’ve initially thought. Shipp is lots of enjoyable within the position, the present has a particular attraction to it, and there are fairly just a few DC Easter eggs all through the sequence that followers will get an actual kick out of. It goes to indicate that The Flash has lengthy been one among DC’s higher live-action tv properties, properly earlier than The CW sequence launched.
Disclosure: ComingSoon was despatched product from the writer for our The Flash (1990) Blu-ray evaluation.