My colleagues will back me up on this: there isn’t a cooler guy in Hollywood than Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson. He was humble as a new actor finding his way, and he’s humble now as one of the highest paid stars in Tinsel Town.
It must’ve seemed like a no-brainer to take the title role of a big budget DC Comics flick, but for someone as savvy as Johnson, a guy who presumably doesn’t need a paycheck, one would’ve thought he’d leave the monotone one-liners behind (in a self-knowing nod to this point, Black Adam is encouraged by a young citizen to work on getting some one-liners—cute.)
Of course, he totally knew what he was doing – took him ten years to make this happen, so what does a little pencil-neck geek like me know? Not much.
At any rate, there are many positive features in the two-hour extravaganza. In fact, Black Adam doesn’t even make his first appearance until well into the film, and then he is supported by a really great cast.
I am a Comic illiterate, but the origin story – it kinda goes like this:
“In 2600 BC, the tyrannical king of Kahndaq, Ahk-Ton, creates the Crown of Sabbac, which gives the wearer great power. After attempting to stage a revolt, a young slave boy is given the powers of Shazam by the Council of Wizards, transforming him into Kahndaq’s heroic champion, who allegedly kills Ahk-Ton and ends his reign.”
Cut to present day – same city:
“Archaeologist Adrianna Tomaz tries to locate the Crown of Sabbac with the help of her brother Karim and their colleagues Samir and Ishmael. As Adrianna obtains the crown, Intergang ambushes them. Adrianna reads an incantation that awakens Teth-Adam, whom she believes to be Kahndaq’s champion, from a slumber”
Thanks for the summary, Wiki. That’s about all I’ll post on specific plot points – let me get to these bits:
It’s loud, relentlessly loud – plenty of action, but a storyline that seems like it becomes circular to me. I realize that the film is introducing several characters who are new to someone like me, and it takes time to get through all of that.
The good news? Some of the supporting characters are much more interesting than Black Adam and really made the movie more enjoyable overall.
Sarah Shahi as the Archeologist and Mom is so, so good. I had no idea while watching the film that her character is the alter-ego for Isis, but I guess we’ll see more about that in future DC universe films?
And Pierce Brosnan, looking elegant and dapper, is probably my favorite character in the film, Doctor Fate (Kent Nelson.) Once again, a character that’s been around for a half century that I’d never heard of until this movie.
Finally, the great Aldis Hodge as Hawkman/Carter Hall brings a comedic vibe and some fancy wing work (yes, I know it’s CGI, but still).
So, it’s a mixed experience for me. I have a feeling the next installment will be better, more fluid. Oh, and it’s officially not a secret anymore that Henry Cavill will return as Superman, A Black Adam rivalry seems to be afoot.
Black Adam | 2 ½ out of 4 Stars | 2 hours | In Theaters
