DC historically has a tendency to miss the mark when it comes to their movies. Black Adam was said to be the one that would put them back on the map and “save the DC Extended Universe."
I was excited for this one. I’m a fan of the Rock and this seemed to be a role he was really proud of. He is built for this role. And the movie was slated as having a darker, grittier tone and at one time was Rated-R. Even from the trailer, it looked like they were really leaning into him having Superman’s powers without the same moral compass. The story of Black Adam is that of an anti-hero. Nearly 5,000 years after he was given the powers of the Egyptian gods-and imprisoned just as quickly-Black Adam is freed from his earthly tomb, ready to unleash his unique form of justice on the modern world. He’s out for vengeance.
Black Adam looks like a force in the opening scene of the movie as he unleashed havoc on the ‘bad guys’. Unlike other superheroes, Black Adam has no problem killing his enemies. For that reason, The Justice Society is set in to put Adam back in his prison and restore order. But Black Adam isn’t going back in so easily. Where the movie lost me was that the novelty wore off pretty quickly of him throwing around and taking out bad guys. The movie failed at getting me invested in the story of Black Adam and his struggles. It was all very surface level and we never had a hero or to root for.
I love the Rock…but I was expecting more from his performance as Black Adam. I never got the fully fleshed out super hero I was looking for and never found myself getting that excited when he’d reappear on screen. He lacked his big triumphant moment. I felt that was also due to lack of a supporting cast (Dr. Fate and Hawkman had their quick moments), a villain that was cheesy and forgettable and a failed attempt at comic relief. I will give it to DC and I believe their visual effects outshined anything Marvel has done in the last year with this movie. It was fun to look at, but lacked heart and not the savior they were looking for.
Not a superhero movie for the masses, but hopefully kids will enjoy this one. It’s not that it’s outright bad…it’s just not that savior I was looking for in the DCEU. When the best part of a movie is the post credits scene…you’re in trouble. 2.5 out of 5 Lightning Bolts.
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