BLACK ADAM | MOVIE REVIEW | LYNNMALL

I feel like I need to start this review with a disclaimer that I’m a huge Marvel fan. But I’m also a huge fan of The Rock. You’d think this presented me with a dilemma on enjoying a movie from the DC Universe. Not quite.

Black Adam is a twist on your traditional superhero flick, centred around Teth Adam (Dwayne Johnson) who is “not a hero”, as he repeatedly announces. The film opens on Kahndaq, a civilisation that existed well before Babylon. The tyrant king enslaves the people of Kahndaq to mine Eternium, a powerful stone with magical powers, to make himself a crown. We see a young, brave teen stand up to the tyrant and prove himself worthy to wizards who give him the same powers Billy Batson (from Shazam!) was given.

(L-r) DWAYNE JOHNSON as Black Adam and ALDIS HODGE as Hawkman in New Line Cinema’s action adventure “BLACK ADAM,” a Warner Bros. Pictures release.

Current day Kahndaq is still under oppression, but by different, gun-toting forces called the Intergang. Professor Adrianna (Sarah Shahi) is on a mission to find the Eternium crown and keep it out of the hands of the Intergang. When she is apprehended by them, she summons Teth Adam who saves her and her brother, Karim. In the spectacular display of violence, slow-motion scenes and an excellent background score, Adam’s return to Earth puts him on the radar of the Justice Society.

ALDIS HODGE as Hawkman in New Line Cinema’s action adventure “BLACK ADAM,” a Warner Bros. Pictures release.

If you’re wondering whether this is the same as the Justice League, it’s not. The Justice Society is an international peace-keeping force reporting to Amanda Waller (from Suicide Squad). She gets newbies, Cyclone and Atom Smasher to join supposedly-veteran superheroes Hawkman and Doctor Fate. If there was history behind Hawkman and Doctor Fate’s friendship, we hear references to it, but sadly don’t get a glimpse of any. Some of the dialogue is a bit contrite and cheesy at times, but works overall.

NOAH CENTINEO as Atom Smasher in New Line Cinema’s action adventure “BLACK ADAM,” a Warner Bros. Pictures release.

Karim and Atom Smasher provide comedic relief but add little else to the film overall. Cyclone’s powers provide for a visual treat. Doctor Fate’s powers are a bit derivative of a certain other doctor from another cinematic universe, I’ll let you decide. Dwayne Johnson’s performance as a stiff, intimidating man from 5000 years ago works well with his ignorance of civilized customs like walking through doors instead of smashing through walls. He provides a chuckle with his serious delivery of catchphrases and attempts at understanding modern-day sarcasm.

Contrary to the opinion you’d expect from a Marvel fan, Black Adam was an enjoyable watch for all the different, new DC characters, great action scenes and a twist you would not expect! All I can say without spoilers is, if you watch Black Adam, make sure you stay for the mid-credits scene to see what’s in store for our anti-hero next!

Check times & dates for Reading Cinema HERE, then head to LynnMall for a great movie to go with your popcorn.