The Flash season 4 episode 1 review: The Flash Reborn

Every year when the Flash returns, we all get excited and thrilled to get this fabulous cast back. I genuinely missed these people an their chemistry during this off-season. Although many of us will agree that the third season of the show was not a hit among fans due to the darkness it brought into the season specially during the second half of the season. But seeing this season's premier brought back the old vibes (pun intended) back to a highly optimistic character. 

Before I start the review, I want to quickly shuffle away some complaints that I had with the episode. First issue which I felt was the hand-wavey approach it takes to things like actually bringing Barry back, restoring his mind, and its approach to bringing Caitlin back into the fold. Well that's an awful amount of work to be fitted in one episode, especially when the showrunners had full 23 episodes, they could have easily done this all in a two-parter like the season three's first two episodes. But having said that I understand why they did this all, because to get all the things ready from the get-go and re-establishing the status quo. 

The second issue I felt was that Iris West being the leader of the team. Before anybody jumps the gun that she is the love interest of the lead and all that, I want to say that her character has really grown on me in the previous seasons. It's not a knock on the character but that she doesn't have powers or any computer skills or say any statistical skills to lead the team. That is what I felt was a bit odd.

Anyways before anyone thinks that this is a negative review, it is far from that. I thoroughly enjoyed the episode. The Flash Reborn is a really enjoyable hour of TV, handily reminding everyone why we love these characters so much in the first place. I particularly felt Joe and Cisco are particular standouts in this regard while maturing/evolving others in ways that are really satisfying, Iris and Wally are going to kick so much ass this season. 

And Barry freaking Allen felt so powerful reminding us all that he is indeed the Flash. I think it is in a long time when I was awe struck by the power he displayed making it like a true comic book show. 

I cannot forget Caitlin Snow. I think she had my favourite line in the episode when she said, "Don't make me frosty. You wouldn't like me when I'm frosty." When she said it I was so happy that they made a reference to the Incredible Hulk. A little crossover of DC and Marvel. I guess they are going for Bruce Banner and Hulk situation for Caitlin making one of the most complex characters in the show right now. 

The post credit scene of the episode was indeed refreshing. If you check my post about Flash' big bads you will know what I m talking about. Click here. Revealing the big bad in the first episode really makes him a big deal who is manipulating all the things and especially when I realised it was his Samuroid to pump up the speed of the extraction of Barry from speedforce. Looking forward to this battle.

All being said I feel, it was a great start for the show after a rather unflattering third season.

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THOR RAGNAROK SYNOPSIS : Planet Hulk

Marvel recently dropped out a lot of information about the third Thor movie, Thor Ragnarok. We have so much to talk about. It is funny to think that without any official teaser or trailer, we know a lot about this movie thanks to the information drop.

Lets try to address all of it:

10. Planet Hulk:

So they are doing Planet Hulk but with few minor changes from the comic book story-line. Of course, they are not gonna do the exact plot-line, that should be an entire movie in itself. Well they have done an animated movie which is based on the comic. I am really excited to see the full-blown gladiator Hulk ready to smash.

This raises a lot of questions though. How the Hulk went to outer space? Are they gonna name this planet, Sakaar, where the Hulk is fighting?

9. Hulk and Thor fighting in an arena:

This part of the synopsis was actually in the comic con footage which Marvel showed. We have an idea about what happened to Thor. At the end of Age of Ultron, Thor went back to Asgard to find clarity to his visions of the infinity stones.

Marvel movies move in real time. So Thor Ragnarok picks up almost one and half years after Age of Ultron. For this all time, Thor must be researching and gathering about the infinity stones. We also know from the end of Thor: The Dark World that Odin is not at the throne but Loki is. They must have come head to head and Loki must have banished Thor to this planet on the other end of universe from Asgard where Thor fights the Hulk.

8. Hulk in space:

How did it happen?

In the end of Age of Ultron, we saw Hulk flying in the Quinjet away from everyone. The simplest way for them to explain "The Hulk in outer space", is to have him fly in outer space where he lands on this planet. We have to wait and see if they are going to name this planet Sakaar, from comics or not.

7. If they are naming it Sakaar, then:

What will they do about the comic book stuff? What about the Red king? the Old power? Hulk's son, Skaar? 

Son of Hulk

I don't think Marvel will do Skaar. Usually what Marvel films do is to include comic book easter eggs and characters in the background or in a wide shot to please the comic book fans. I am guessing that the movie will only have 30-40 minutes on this planet not longer than that. But it would be one of the big action set pieces of the films.

The reason why I feel that the film-makers will not include Planet Hulk story-elements in a bigger way because this is a Thor movie with the Hulk in it. These elements can be added in a major way in Hulk movie if Marvel decides to do that. But there will be nods to the Planet Hulk story for sure.

6. How do the Hulk is controlled from tearing the arena apart?:

We know that the Hulk has limitless potential to strength. So how can he be contained?

I think they will borrow the elements from comic book, and have a control collar attached to Hulk limiting his strength.

There are two ways, this collar might get off the Hulk:

a. Hulk gets so angry that the collar break off.

b. Collar might break off during a fight:
                               This might happen when the Hulk and Thor are fighting each other.

The question is : who can make such strong collars that can limit the powers of the Hulk?

This might be the doing of the Grand-Master, the character Jeff Goldblum is playing.
This brings us to the next point.

5. Who is the Grand-Master?

The way, they have explained his character is that, he is an intergalactic pleasure seeker. Loki might have proposed him the idea of Hulk fighting Thor.

With the help of Grand-Master, thus, Loki was able to deal with Thor.

4. Thor is without his hammer:

It sounds like they are doing Unworthy Thor from the comics. If you haven't read the comics, don't need to worry. It is just the story of the Thor without his Hammer, Mjolnir. 

3. Doctor Strange cameo:

Now we know about Thor Ragnarok, The Doctor Strange post credit scene can be explained now. This might happen later in the movie. When Loki realizes he bit more than he can chew, he helps Thor find Odin. This might be Loki who brings Thor to Doctor Strange.

They need Odin with his Odin force when Hela sends all the monsters to Asgard bringing Ragnarok, the end.

2. Where is Thanos?:

There is no mention of Thanos in the synopsis. Since James Gunn has already said that there is no Thanos or infinity stones in his movie, Guardians of the Galaxy 2. Thor Ragnarok must touch on this matter briefly. This might happen in the post credit scene or in the movie itself needs to be seen. 

This is needed because Marvel needs to clarify a lot of things before Avengers: Infinity War.

1. When is the trailer dropping?:

The teaser-trailer might fall with Guardians of the Galaxy 2 and with Spiderman: Homecoming. Marvel is focusing on promoting these two movies. After homecoming, we might get a full trailer.

Hope you guys enjoyed it. Follow for more such updates.

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