A One Mann’s Movies review of “Black Adam” (2022).
I’m late to the game in seeing “Black Adam”, but just caught it before it left UK cinemas.
Bob the Movie Man Rating(s):
Plot Summary:
Tech Adam (Dwayne Johnson) is a mythical saviour of the city of Kahndaq who is ressurected when modern day mercenaries again threaten the world order in their search for a crown with dark powers. But the Justice Society, headed by Amanda Waller (Viola Davis, curiously uncredited) sees Adam as more of a threat to world order and assigns Hawkman (Aldis Hodge) to lead a team to apprehend him.
Certification:
UK: 12; US: R. (For (BBFC) “moderate violence, threat, horror, injury detail”).
Talent:
Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Pierce Brosnan, Viola Davis, Aldis Hodge, Noah Centineo, Sarah Shahi, Quintessa Swindell, Marwan Kenzari.
Directed by: Jaume Collet-Serra.
Written by: Adam Sztykiel, Rory Haines & Sohrab Noshirvani. (Based on characters created by Bill Parker & C.C. Beck).
Twitter Handle: #blackadammovie.
“Black Adam” Review:
Positives:
- The movie has moments of interplay between the characters that really make it soar at times. A scene in Adrianna’s house (which will need more than a lick of paint!) between Adam and Dr Fate (Pierce Brosnan) is particularly fun and twinkly.
- As a superhero/supervillain movie, the divide between ‘good’ and ‘evil’ is nicely blurred here. Tech Adam has a very dark edge, gruesomely dispatching henchmen with alacrity (does noone stop to think of their families??!). And when the “good guys” turn up to apprehend him, Adrianna (Sarah Shahi) leaps to his defence with a “where the fuck were you guys when we needed you” challenge. It’s a classic police/vigilante sort of discussion that no doubt goes on in troubled neighbourhoods around the world.
- It’s extraordinary how much of a star Dwayne Johnson has become since his wrestling days, and he makes for an impressive on-screen presence. But adding stature and gravitas is Pierce Brosnan who is particularly good in this movie (and I’m not just saying this sir because I know you follow this blog! (Thanks)). But of the DC newcomers it is Quintessa Swindell as Cyclone that really makes the strongest impression. True her “superpowers” seem a bit weedy to compete with a God-like being (she produces quite a lot of wind, but frankly who doesn’t?!) But the actress really lights up the screen every time she appears. Perky, sexy as hell and with an irresistable smile, the relative newcomer has a real screen presence and I will be watching out for her in future productions.
Negatives
- I thought the script is a bit of a mess, with a convoluted back story (that keeps getting unwould further throughout the film). Following a ‘false ending’, an escape by Adam from a “secure facility” seems way too easy, leading to a very traditional “superhero vs superhero” finale that is a bit yawn-inducing.
- I quite liked some of the themes by Lorne Balfe, but unusually I found some of the music quite intrusive during some of the dialogue sections of the film.
Monkeys?
There is an entertaining mid-credit “monkey” involving Adam, Waller and a nice cameo! But there is no end-credit one.
Summary Thoughts on “Black Adam”
It’s another example of an attempt to dredge up new superhero characters from a franchise (in this case DC) to try to reinvigorate their market. And, with the draw of Dwayne Johnson it kinda works. I’ve certainly seen worse and less entertaining superhero films. But the genre is on borrowed time in my book, and this too often felt like “here we go again”.
Trailer for “Black Adam”:
The trailer is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkomfZHG5q4 . (By the way, the very expensive looking sequence in here with Adam bringing down the jets is not in the final cut!).
