The Flash: Michael Keaton's superhero return hailed - 'The best Batman of them all'

Keaton will play Batman for the first time in over 30 years

BATMAN,  Michael Keaton, 1989. ©Warner Bros./courtesy Everett Collection
Michael Keaton as Batman. (Warner Bros)

The Flash received its world premiere at CinemaCon in Las Vegas and received a rapturous reception from those in attendance.

Warner Bros unveiled the film before its official release on 16 June as the centrepiece of their summer schedule.

They key takeaway from the reactions to the screening is that everybody is over the moon that Michael Keaton is back as Batman for the first time since 1992's Batman Returns.

Starring alongside Ezra Miller, Sasha Calle, Michael Shannon and Ben Affleck (who also plays Batman), Keaton's version of the Caped Crusander hails from another universe and has aged in real time.

Read more: Everything we know about The Flash

Many critics singled out Keaton's return as Batman as one of the highlights of the movie.

One critic wrote: "#TheFlash strikes a lighter, comedic tone before straying down a darker, better path. Sasha Calle nails #Supergirl, she really makes her mark as the Girl of Steel. Also, Michael Keaton's epic return as Batman is amazing! It's a jam-packed, multiversal ride that DC fans will love."

A still from the trailer for The Flash. (Warner Bros.)
Michael Keaton as Batman in The Flash. (Warner Bros.)

Another said: "#TheFlash is pretty great, and it makes sense to me now why DC didn't shelve this one. Michael Keaton is ... chef's kiss. I didn't realize how much I needed Keaton's Batman in my life again."

Another who saw the exclusive screening said: "The idea of Michael Keaton becoming the main DCEU Batman was always a bizarre decision to me but after watching #TheFlash you see the vision clearly.

"His Batman is the best he’s ever been. His action rivalries BvS Batfleck action. He’s still camp too. He stole the show for me."

The Flash (Warner Bros.)
The Flash (Warner Bros.)

While one fan added: "#TheFlash is pretty darn good, like Justice League gone Back to the Future, it's got a big heart and is by far the funniest DC movie.

"Gets a little complicated but Sasha Calle's a fantastic Supergirl and, hoo boy, Michael Keaton reminds us why he's the best Batman of them all."

Keaton's version of Batman was also the main focus of the newest trailer which depicts him fighting General Zod.

Keaton was also supposed to reprise the role in Batgirl but that film was shelved when Warner Bros was merged with Discovery.

The Flash is in cinemas from 15 June.

Watch below: The Flash trailer unveiled during Super Bowl