Gorilla Grodd returns to Central City– and he’s not alone.
Title: “Attack on Central City” (Part One)
Cast and Crew
Director: Dermott Downs
Writers: Benjamin Raab, Deric A. Hughes, Todd Helbing, et al.
Grant Gustin as Barry Allen / The Flash
Candice Patton as Iris West
Danielle Panabaker as Caitlin Snow
Carlos Valdes as Cisco Ramon / Vibe
Keiynan Lonsdale as Wally West / Kid Flash
Tom Cavanagh as H.R. Wells / Harrison Wells
Jesse L. Martin as Joe West
David Sobolov as Gorilla Grodd (voice)
Keith David as Solovar (voice)
Tom Felton as Julian Albert
Violett Beane as Jesse Wells / Jesse Quick
Jessica Camacho as Gypsy
Premise
Grodd leads the Gorilla Army into Central City, where they stand around during a plot that does not actually involve a Gorilla Army.
Meanwhile, love is in the air as the Team celebrates both Valentines Day and the Earth-19 equivalent, Friends Day. Pity no one thought to reference National Gorilla Suit Day.
High Points
The Gorilla Army, in the end, was a teaser. However, the Grodd portions were well-handled. In the end, we have a Grodd plot plus a crowd of CGI extras, and Barry’s moral decisions carried some weight, given that many people would support or at least understand his original plan.
Low Points
I know they lack the budget for extensive CGI, but past appearances by Grodd made that work. Here, we get a couple of shots of a vast Gorilla Army, in a plot that does not really need a vast Gorilla Army. Despite the athletic capabilities demonstrated by Grodd and Solovar, the simians merely march up the street and stand around during a plot that would have worked better as a standard Grodd plot.
The Scores:
Originality: 3/6
Effects: 5/6 I’m amazed by what they can accomplish, given the restrictions of budget and time. Several scenes still resemble uncannily a mid-range videogame.
Acting: 5/6
Story: 4/6
Emotional Response: 4/6
Production: 5/6
Overall: 5/6 I found this episode more satisfying than Part One, despite my reservations.
In total, “Attack on Central City” receives 31/42
This episodes better parts are the non Grodd parts. Lots of nice small character bits.