Before 2014’s The Flash with Grant Gustin, Barry Allen was valiantly performed by John Wesley Shipp. Originally airing on CBS, the present began off sturdy with a movie-sized pilot that drew in 22 million viewers however couldn’t maintain 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 collection nonetheless has a cult following to this present day.

“Who-o-o-o-osh! The origins and exploits of the crimefighting DC Comics superhero come your way in this 22-episode live-action series. John Wesley Shipp portrays Barry Allen, 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. Amanda Pays is medical researcher Tina McGee, 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,” says the synopsis.

Upon watching The Flash (1990) Blu-ray, you’ll discover a whole lot of the route 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 seems related aesthetically, and Danny Elfman even dealt with the collection’ rating alongside Shirley Walker, who would later do an amazing job on Batman: The Animated Series as properly. It’s not fairly as bizarre as Burton’s take, although, because it winds up being a extra grounded superhero collection than its The CW counterpart or most superhero fare. Of course, there’s nonetheless loads of wackiness as The Flash takes on many over-the-top baddies, corresponding to Captain Cold and a clone of himself, nevertheless it all comes collectively to make a breezy and nonetheless watchable present that’s enjoyable for any DC fan.

I need to give a particular highlight to the set’s visuals as that is the primary time the collection has been seen in HD. Warner Bros. did a 4K scan for this 1080p launch and the present seems incredible in consequence. The image and sound are each crisp and leagues higher than the DVD. Of course, the particular results couldn’t be redone, nevertheless 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, nevertheless it’s extra practical than flashy in its packaging (apologies for the dangerous pun). There’s no slipcover or big field set. Instead, 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 danger 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 solely bummer about this set is that there aren’t any extras. While it could’ve been enjoyable to have some commentaries on the pilot or finale or at the very least some interviews, you’re nonetheless getting an amazing 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 Review: Final 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 a whole lot of enjoyable within the position, the present has a particular allure to it, and there are fairly a couple of DC Easter eggs all through the collection that followers will get an actual kick out of. It goes to indicate that The Flash has lengthy been one in all DC’s higher live-action tv properties, properly earlier than The CW collection launched.

Disclosure: ComingSoon was despatched product from the writer for our The Flash (1990) Blu-ray evaluate.