Black Adam
Director: Jaume Collet-Serra
Writer: Adam Sztykiel, Rory Haines, Sohrab Noshirvani, Otto Binder and C.C. Beck (creators)
Starring: The Rock, Bodhi Sabongui, Sarah Shahi, Aldis Hodge, Pierce Brosnan, Noah Centineo, Quintessa Swindell, Marwan Kenzari, Mohammed Amer, Jalon Christian
Reason for watching: New DC movie, plus I like The Rock
Number of times I’ve watched it: first-time viewing
***
I am simple man. I want to enjoy my time at the movies. Sometimes that means I want to tense and scared watching a horror movie. Other times I want to be challenged or moved by a well-told story going for awards. Or it can mean I want to turn my brain off and just watch superheroes punch robots or faceless thugs in an awesome fashion. Black Adam is the later. We get The Rock, Aldis Hodges, Pierce Brosnan, and a matter of other stars fighting with each other and some henchman. Furious punches and quippy dialogue goes over well and the star power is on display. We get the basic superhero origin story of choosing to use your abilities to help the less fortunate, and there’s your movie. Don’t give the critics any mind, this movie is a great time.
5000 years ago, Teth-Adam (The Rock) became a guardian endowed with god-like powers, but he was put to sleep due to vengeful use of these powers. When he makes up in modern day he is immediately met with foes who want to bring him down. Ishmael Gregor (Marwan Kenzari), a militant leader, wants to use another ancient power from Khandaq to defeat Adam and enslave the city. The Justice Society of America, lead by Hawkman (Aldis Hodge) and Dr. Fate (Pierce Brosnan), see Adam as a threat to the world’s safety and want to neutralize him. Adam has help though in the form Ishmael’s sister Adrianna (Sarah Shahi), a resistance fighter, and her son Amon (Bodhi Sabongui). Adam is willing to take on all challengers as he learns from Amon and Adriana what it means to be a hero.
At its core this a superhero origin story. We learn of Adam’s reason for fighting evil and see him punch and electrocute mercenaries for two hours. The display of strength and power is like going into the toy chest and pulling out your favorite character to let him overpower every told soldier you throw at him. Adam faces down a variety of powered beings as well. Hawkman is your standard powered warrior, but his powerful mace and wings make for a unique combo. Plus, Aldis Hodges is a talented actor and potential leading man in Holywood; so I am down for whenever he wants to show up. Had he made his first appearance six years ago, Dr. Fate would seem like a fun and original character, but he is essentially a rip-off of Dr. Strange. But Brosnan’s gravitas adds character to his character. As Atom Smasher and Cyclone, Noah Centineo and Quintessa Swindell have fun chemistry. Shahi and Sabongui do not bring anything new to the screen here, but they do not detract either.
The villain Ishamel is exceedingly cliche in his search for another artifact of power. When he does get this power and becomes a real threat to Adam, his appearance is CGI which looks like it should be on the Sci-Fi channel. He outwits Adam at times but given that he is going up against a character played by The Rock, lends to the lack of tension he creates as a villain. You know they won’t The Rock lose in the end, so why worry?
The plot leaves a lot to be desired as well, but I personally don’t see that as a big detractor. The fact is the DC universe has been floundering a bit and getting a huge star like The Rock as an established character to bring some notoriety to it. He can be an adversary or a powerful ally in this world in desperate need of some connections between its stories. The Rock also has the kind of sway in Holywood to bring in talent who can help improve these movies. While it is not the deepest superhero movie, this was a good time and can bridge the gap to expand this universe. It was time well spent.
7/10
Until I see another one