With so many superhero movies and TV shows out there, it can often feel like we’ve seen everything, and for the most part, we have. That’s not to say the comic book genre has run out of steam. The genre still has a lot to offer, but given the amount of superhero-centered projects released on a yearly basis, some are bound to not be as good as others. There are, however, certain projects that have a spark to them, something that helps them stand out from the fray.
Black Adam is one of those projects. The Jaume Collet-Serra-directed adventure is the fulfillment of an idea a decade in the making. The road to Black Adam was long and arduous, but it was worth the wait. Teth-Adam’s standalone feature isn’t just a fun spectacle; it’s an engaging, endearing and highly entertaining story about a man struggling to become a better person.
Dwayne Johnson’s Teth-Adam
One of Black Adam‘s best assets is its star. Dwayne Johnson strips himself of his signature leading man persona and fully immerses himself in Teth-Adam. You believe the long-imprisoned antihero has a short fuse, that even a wrong look will spark his city-leveling rage. Johnson uses his imposing physicality to excellent effect. He is a presence to be feared.
He is an unstoppable force while fighting, but the antihero also effortlessly conveys his power in the movie’s quieter moments. But Johnson doesn’t fall into the trap of the typical “tough guy” persona. The actor allows glimpses of goodness and warmth to shine through. He is ruthless but not evil, which makes him one of the DCEU’s most interesting characters.
The JSA
Films often stand on the strength of their supporting characters. In Black Adam‘s case, its supporting cast are also superheroes: Hawkman (Aldis Hodge), Cyclone (Quintessa Swindell), Atom Smasher (Noah Centineo) and Doctor Fate (Pierce Brosnan), members all of the Justice Society of America. Though Cyclone and Atom Smasher don’t get a lot of time in the spotlight, they still provide Black Adam with an extra layer of fun.
The JSA’s standout members are Doctor Fate and Hawkman. Pierce Brosnan shines as Fate, lending the character a warm wisdom that makes him instantly likable. His Doctor Fate is also weary, having been alive for longer than any normal human. As for Hawkman, Aldis Hodge’s charisma occasionally make him feel like the film’s lead.
Black Adam‘s main villain
There have only been a few groundbreaking villains in superhero media over the past decade. Some of the most notable ones include Black Panther‘s Killmonger, Infinity War‘s Thanos and Spider-Man: Homecoming‘s Vulture. Black Adam‘s central evildoer, Sabbac (Marwan Kenzari), doesn’t reach the heights of those baddies, but he isn’t mediocre; he is simply unremarkable.
The character isn’t bad, but he also probably won’t become the type of antagonist mainstream audiences will remember. With that said, Sabbac’s arc is interesting and Kenzari’s portrayal able. Most importantly, the character plays a big role in moving the plot forward. Though Black Adam puts a big emphasis on the conflict between its titular character and the JSA, Sabbac is still a pivotal part of Teth-Adam’s story.
The action
Comic book films always promise eye-catching action sequences and special effects, and Black Adam delivers both. As mentioned, the film was in development for a long time, and it shows in the quality of the fight scenes, which are highly inventive. Black Adam carries out weirdly creative kills throughout the film, Hawkman uses his mace as part of complex fighting moves, and Doctor Fate’s magic makes him feel like one of Earth’s most powerful people.
The level of creativity in Black Adam‘s action is also evident in Cyclone and Atom Smasher. Overall, these sequences feel like a labor of love, arguably some of the best in the superhero genre so far.
The negatives
Every movie has downsides. Black Adam has two main ones. The first involves Teth-Adam’s moral code. That Adam isn’t a hero is stated multiple times throughout the movie, which is unnecessary given how often he shows it. The repetitiveness gets weary, and takes a bit away from the moments when Teth-Adam displays some moral nuance.
The second notable defect is the CGI for Sabbac. He looks intimidating and monstrous, but his animation leaves a lot to be desired in several scenes. Sabbac often feels like clay. Fortunately, said drawbacks aren’t significant enough to hinder enjoyment.
Overall, Black Adam is a remarkable superhero experience that opens up a new era for the DCEU and delivers one of the franchise’s most engaging chapters.
Grade: A+
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