Black Adam Review : Action-Packed
The DC Extended Universe from Warner Bros. has undergone some significant changes recently, including the unexpected cancellation of Batgirl and modifications to release dates and creative directions. But if anything has remained constant, it's Dwayne Johnson's confidence that his eagerly anticipated franchise debut, Black Adam, will fundamentally alter the order of things in the fictitious universe. Although the long-term repercussions of this film haven't been established, it serves its purpose as an introduction to one of DC's most prominent anti-heroes.
After an exposition-heavy prologue that takes place in the past, Black Adam shifts its attention to the streets of the fictitious nation of Kahndaq in the present, where the evil Intergang maintains its populace under military rule. The crown of Sabbac (Marwan Kenzari), a lethal artefact that was created to grant its possessor the abilities of Hell, has been the subject of archaeologist Adrianna's (Sarah Shahi) investigation. She finds a tomb during her search that contains both the crown and the all-powerful Teth-Adam (Johnson). Adam, who was once a slave in Kahndaq, was granted the gods' abilities long ago, and he utilised them to exterminate Kahndaqi invaders. Now that he has been reawakened, Adam turns his focus to the Intergang members, and it doesn't take long for the Justice Society of America, directed by the much more conservative Carter Hall (an admirably heroic Aldis Hodge), to become aware of his violent techniques.
Action, if there is one thing Black Adam never lacks, is it. director Jaume Collet-Serra creates a number of set pieces that feel properly grandiose when taking into account the film's protagonist, from the tumultuous initial seconds after Teth-Adam awakes to an earth-shattering confrontation in the streets of Kahndaq. One of the most potent characters in the DC universe, Black Adam, is swiftly established in his film. Black Adam makes no attempt to soften Black Adam's harsh nature, which Johnson has publicly discussed in public. This is a comic book superhero who doesn't hesitate to kill his foes, and while the violence has been somewhat toned down for a PG-13 classification, it is really rather reviving in that it doesn't try to soften the character's darker aspects.
Black Adam is, without a doubt, Johnson's show. By appealing to Adam's darker side, The Rock has the opportunity to play a little bit against type. Johnson doesn't have a lot of one-liners to share, and he doesn't only rely on his impressive physique. His lack of softness feels all the more powerful because he is so much more serious. However, one wishes Johnson had been given a little more credit in the Black Adam script. There are so many discussions regarding Adam's morally dubious viewpoint that it gives the idea that the screenwriters were sceptical that viewers would see that he differs from typical heroes.
The most intelligent or entertaining superhero film isn't necessarily Black Adam. Even still, it makes for a fairly engaging introduction to one of the more intriguing DCEU characters. Johnson has been working on getting Black Adam done for years, and his enthusiasm for the undertaking is palpable nearly from the start. Although some characters clamour for more attention and the action-packed style of the film can be tiresome, as Teth-genesis Adam's narrative, it succeeds in defying what audiences might have anticipated from Johnson's live-action superhero debut.