Black Adam (English) Review {2.5/5} & Review Rating
After the last DC superhero outing with THE BATMAN in March, now seven months later, we see the release of BLACK ADAM. Starring Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, the film is based on the character from the Shazam series, wherein Black Adam features as the main antagonist to the superhero Shazam. While featuring a solo, standalone film on the character before introducing him as a villain or anti-hero in the Shazam series might not sit well with a few, it must be said that the film does hold its own. However, will BLACK ADAM which boasts of some high-octane action, other worldly magic and death defying stunts manage to entice the audience like so many Marvel films have done before, or will the new release from DC suffer a similar fate to previous superhero film from this banner is the question of the hour.
BLACK ADAM starts off 5000 years in the past when the city of Kahndaq was under the tyrannical rule of king Anh-Kot, who intended to create the Crown of Sabbac, which is known to give the wearer great power. After enslaving his people and forcing them to dig for ‘Eternium’ - the magical crystal needed to create the crown - a young boy leads the slaves to revolt against him. When the boy is given the power of Shazam, transforming him into Kahndaq's heroic champion Teth-Adam, he kills Anh-Kot and ends his reign. In the present day, Kahndaq is oppressed by the Intergang. Archaeologist Adrianna Tomaz (Sarah Shahi) tries to locate the Crown of Sabbac, with the help of her brother Karim, and colleagues, Samir and Ishmael. As Adrianna obtains the crown, they are ambushed by the Intergang, killing Samir in the process. Adrianna accidentally reads an incantation which awakens Adam (Dwayne Johnson) from his slumber, who subsequently slaughters most of the Intergang troops. After an Intergang soldier shoots an Eternium rocket at Adam, which renders him comatose, it is revealed that Ishmael (Marwan Kenzari) is an Intergang member who intends to take the crown for himself. In the meantime, Government official Amanda Waller learns of the incident and contacts Carter Hall / Hawkman (Aldis Hodge) and the Justice Society of America consisting of Kent Nelson / Doctor Fate (Pierce Brosnan), Maxine Hunkel / Cyclone (Quintessa Swindell), and Albert "Al" Rothstein / Atom Smasher (Noah Centineo) to assist in taking Adam into custody. Will this team from the JSA manage to capture Adam, will Adam overpower them and emerge as the champion of Kahndaq, or will the Intergang acquire the Crown of Sabbac and lay waste to the city is what forms the rest of the film.
Starting off, BLACK ADAM sets the stage by giving the viewers a brief insight into the city of Kahndaq 5000 years ago. From there, the story quickly progresses illustrating the plight the citizens of Kahndaq endured till a champion for the people rose. Coming in the form of a young boy, the people’s champion chosen by ancient wizards’ lays waste to the tyrant king Anh-Kot, however in his rage the city is destroyed. From there the film switches to current times, when an archaeologist Adrianna Tomaz is looking for the crown of Sabbac, which the Intergang, which has now taken over the city of Kahndaq, is on a similar quest. Surprisingly, for a film based on a particular character, Johnson’s BLACK ADAM makes a rather late entry. Though the actor is present in the initial few minutes, his absence is obvious. However, Johnson makes a stunning entry, when Tomaz recites an inscription setting BLACK ADAM free. The first half of the film, features quote a bit or drama interspersed with light action scenes that are well choreographed and executed. However, being a superhero film, viewers expect to see stunning visuals right from the word go. But in what can be said to be a conscious effort, director Jaume Collet-Serra has tried to develop BLACK ADAM like a normal feature film that sets the premise to the hero’s introduction.
From here the film pick up pace, with the introduction of BLACK ADAM, Tomaz and her son, Amon (Bodhi Sabongui), relentlessly attempt to convert or rather convince Adam that he is the city’s champion and saviour instead of being its destroyer. However, with the JSA entering the story, the two are informed of the reality that Adam was in fact, the cause of the city’s destruction 5000 years ago. However, not willing to accept this, the two continue their attempts to convince Adam otherwise. Interestingly, mid-way through the film and just before the build-up to the climax, Johnson’s Adam is missing again. Although his absence from the film is detailed, being the main protagonist it is somewhat unsettling to see his absence.
In terms of story, BLACK ADAM features nothing new, that so many previous superhero films have been based on. Although Adam comes across as an unconventional and reluctant hero, the proceedings are rather predictable. While the action and CGI make for stunning visuals with some clap worthy moments, the overall essence leaves one wanting more. As for the characters, like previous DC films, BLACK ADAM suffers from a similar issues of featuring a rather overpowered villain who is severely underutilized. While the makers could have done so much more with the character of Sabbac, they have done very little with the character featuring in limited action sequences that are resigned to the climax.
Coming to the performances, each of the cast members from Dwayne Johnson, to Pierce Brosnan, Aldis Hodge, Sarah Shahi, and Quintessa Swindell have put their best foot forward. The cinematography, sound editing, VFX are equally good and offer a seamless viewing experience aided on by an invigorating background score that help build the crescendo in crucial scenes.
Overall, BLACK ADAM makes for an electrifying one-time watch, while the audience might want more, the film does live up to its promise of action and drama. At the box office, with no new Bollywood releases hitting screens this weekend, BLACK ADAM is likely to fare well. In fact, advance bookings for the film have already painted a positive opening. However, due to the mixed response, the film will face a tough time after the release of the grand Bollywood Diwali releases – RAM SETU and THANK GOD – on October 25.
