In 1989 Tim Burtons changed the world of superheroes with his release of Batman. That noir film still holds up 35 years later. But with the success of Batman came the opportunity to bring another superhero character to audiences. So in 1990 speeding onto our TV screens was The Flash.
Now after this TV series was released on Digipack DVD and released on regulars DVD. Warner Archive Collection have restored this show in 4k and it is finally available in HD on Blu-ray!
Synopsis: Barry Allen (John Wesleyan Shipp), a police crime technologist endowed with sudden talents after a fluke lab accident. He pledges to use his new powers for good, powers that include ultra-speed reflexes and the ability to vibrate his molecules so rapidly he can pass through solid walls. Tina McGee (Amanda Pays) is medical researcher, who monitors Allen's accelerated metabolism and guards his secret identity. The Tricksters, Captain Cold, the Ghost, mad inventors: Central City is rife with criminals. Now there's a hero to keep pace with them. He's called The Flash. And in our era of instant communications, he's more in step with the times than ever.
I never got the opportunity to watch this show when it was on TV. Well, many people didn't, as CBS kept moving the show essentially killing it before it's time. Now me I loved this show from the moment I first saw it on DVD! This show was so far ahead of it's time.
John Wesley Shipp is just amazing as Barry Allen and the onscreen chemistry with Amanda Pays is undeniable. I also loved M Emmet Walsh (The Jerk) as Barry's dad and Alex Désert (Boy Meets World) as Julio Mendez, Barry Allen's co-worker and close friend.. But there were many great guest stars in this series. We saw Mark Hamill (Star Wars), Jeffery Combs (Star Trek Deep Space Nine), Bill Mumy (Lost in Space), Denise Crosby (Pet Semetary, Star Trek The Next Generation), David Cassidy (The Partridge Family) and Brian Cranston (Breaking Bad) just to name a few.
Sadly this show would only last 22 episodes (A Pilot Movie and 21 hour long TV episodes). It was a sad ending and a short run that should have went a lot longer than one season. But even watching this show again after all these years. While the special effects are dated the stories, acting, action and heart are not!
The Flash is making it's Blu-ray debut! The series has been transferred to Blu-ray on 1080p and is presented in its original television broadcast aspect ratio of 1.33:1. The soundtrack is a lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. There is also the option for English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing.
Warner Archive Collection have restored this series in 4K from the original camera negatives. This is a tremendous upgrade from the original DVD release. When I compared the DVD to the new Blu-ray. It is spectacular. The picture is sharp and the audio is clean. But probably for me the best part was that the picture quality on the DVD is dark and on this new Blu-ray it is bright vibrant. You can really see the colors and the details of the flash suit.
This series is spread across 6 Blu-ray discs. I know what your thinking 'what about bonus features?' Well, sadly there are no bonus features. It would have been cool to see interviews with John Wesley Shipp and Amanda Pays reminiscing about the series. But for me to see this series looking as crisp and clean as it does. That is a complete win!
Now while this wasn't the first live action appearance of The Flash on film. That would go to 1979's Legends Of The Superheroes TV Specials. But this series is by far the superior adaption.
If you love the DC Comics character The Flash as much as I do you need to see this TV Series. And if you are going to watch it I highly recommend this new Blu-ray release. The episodes look and sound so much better than the DVD release. Head over to MovieZyng and order your copy today! You won't be disappointed!
Out of 4 TV Sets (4 being the best) The Warner Archive Blu-ray of The Flash The Complete Series receives....
 Blu-ray Review ){kind=link}
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