Black Adam Review

*No twists or anything major spoiled, but still…

IMDB Synopsis

In ancient Kahndaq, Teth Adam was bestowed the almighty powers of the gods. After using these powers for vengeance, he was imprisoned, becoming Black Adam. Nearly 5,000 years have passed, and Black Adam has gone from man to myth to legend. Now free, his unique form of justice, born out of rage, is challenged by modern-day heroes who form the Justice Society: Hawkman, Dr. Fate, Atom Smasher and Cyclone.

“I’m not peaceful. Nor do I surrender.”

“The Hierarchy of Power in the DCEU has shifted” that is the line that Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has been putting out into the world about his new movie BLACK ADAM. It is supposed to mean there is a new sheriff in town and they are going to turn the DCEU around. We have talked AT LENGTH about the trials and tribulations of the DCEU in SHAZAM, THE SUICIDE SQUAD, ZACK SNYDER’s JUSTICE LEAGUE, AQUAMAN, WONDER WOMAN II, BIRDS OF PREY, and now with Black Adam they have a character they are trying to build the universe around. The only problem is The Rock is a movie star who takes zero chances as far as his persona and every movie with him ends exactly the same. That is not a good base to build stories upon.

Black Adam the movie is a classic origin story where we start in the past, a horrendous thing happens to his family, and that causes him to get his powers. He is in stasis for 5,000 years and is awoken in a modern day version of his country Kahndaq. Immediately he is disoriented and with his powers (which are completely unlimited) he just destroyes everything in sight, of course besides our two good characters Adrianna Tomaz (Sarah Shahi) and her son Amon (Bodhi Sabongui). He forms a quick “bond” with them but still has trouble because in his nature he is a force of destruction and not a hero. This causes alarm to the Justice Society of America, and they send Hawk-Man (Aldis Hodge), Doctor Fate (Pierce Brosnan), Atom Smasher (Noah Centineo), and Cyclone (Quintessa Swindell) in to try and corral him. Obviously, hijinx ensue and we get a larger story that dates back to when Teth-Adam’s family was around. As far as superhero origin stories it is about as down the middle basic as it gets.

On the technical end, it is hard to really rate this because to me everything just looks completely fake. Even when they are in the city it just feels so remote that it does not even feel real. And then everything surrounding the city just looks like green screen at all times. I will say though, the Lorne Balfe score was very solid, and his theme for Black Adam banged.

Stock Watch

Stock Neutral – Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson

Like I said above, he just does not take any chances with his movies these days. In his movies he has to win every argument, win every fight, and come off generally as the good guy in every single scene. Sure, makes for a popular star, but it does not make for an interesting character or movie. When you know every single thing he is going to do and say where is the intrigue. I will say though he at least looks like a superhero, but it is The Rock, what do you expect?

Stock Neutral – Aldis Hodge

I love Aldis Hodge, which is why I do not understand why he took this role? All he does the entire movie is argue with people and hardly even gets a redemption moment at the end. I was very disappointed in his character and really wish we got more.

*A couple other tidbits

Do they really think this is the movie to reset the entire DCEU?
Why was Noah Centineo and his character even in this movie?
Pierce Brosnan is giving his best effort, but his character is essentially just Dr. Strange so it is hard to get around that.
Did the directors really think Skateboarding was this in vogue?

This is a bad movie in my opinion. Some will argue it is “fun” but honestly I do not even think it is that. I found it to be drab, and repetitive of many origin stories we have seen. I get they are setting up for multiple showdowns with other major DC characters, but showdowns mean nothing if the movies themselves are not good.

Juice Rating: