Review by Adam Lo for Mr. Will Wong
Black Adam comes almost a decade and half after Dwayne Johnson announced interest in playing the anti-hero based on the DC Comics character. Having taken place 5,000 years ago in the fictional Middle Eastern country of Kahndaq, an ancient Egyptian slave Teth Adam (Johnson), is bestowed the almighty powers of the Ancient Gods. However, he is imprisoned for millennia by the Wizard Shazam after he misused his powers— eventually freed from his tomb, ready to unleash his unique form of justice on the modern world.
The potential of a great addition to the franchise, and turnaround of the DCEU is hindered by the paint-by number super-hero tropes and script clichés. The Film feels more like an elaborate setup for an Avenger-type franchise, including Viola Davis as Task Force X Leader Amanda Waller, and the Justice Society: Hawkman (Aldis Hodge), Dr. Fate (Pierce Brosnan), Atom Smasher (Noah Centineo) and Cyclone (Quintessa Swindell).
However, fans who might have waited almost 15 years to get their fix will likely not be disappointed by the action-packed 300-esque sequences, and performances from Supporting Characters – namely, the charming Brosnan and comedic relief of Centineo.
Black Adam may feel a little underwhelming though after so much hype as a long-awaited passion-project. And despite the Film never getting to truly showcase Johnson’s great charisma and range as an Actor, this is just the start of what likely will be a very successful Franchise. He has proven time and again his ability to bring a crowd to the theatres, his films having grossed in excess of $3.5 billion dollars in North America alone .
Warner Bros. Pictures Canada release BLACK ADAM in theatres October 21, 2022.
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