The Flash Review: “Attack on Central City”

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

One reply

  1. This episodes better parts are the non Grodd parts. Lots of nice small character bits.

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