The superhero genre’s one of the most popular, and often includes the most over-exaggerated films at the Box Office. Lately, it has been dominated by just one studio, Marvel. It is a welcomed change to see a DC Comics hero dominate the Box Office this month, particularly a character who has not graced the big screen yet. “Black Adam” has been in the works for some time now, and star and Executive Producer Dwayne Johnson wanted to bring this unique hero to the screen due to him being one of the most powerful forces on the planet, and also for his ethnicity, which is not often seen in big budget superhero films (although this has changed with Marvel’s “Black Panther” and beyond).
The film begins with an immense backstory set in 2,600 B.C.E. It takes place in a Middle Eastern land where a tyrant named Ahk-Ton enslaves his subjects. He’s digging for a mineral called ‘Eternium,’ with which he’ll forge a super-powered crown. However a young man rebels and he is endowed with his own superheroic power that’s summoned with the word ‘Shazam.’ In the resulting melee, Akh-Ton is killed and his palace is blown to rubble.
Bringing Black Adam and the Justice Society Association to Life
The story then cuts forward to the present day. The land is occupied by a crime ring called ‘Intergang,’ and a trio of dissidents are led by an archeologist named Adrianna (Sarah Shahi), and helped by her teenage son, Amon (Bodhi Sabongui). They are searching for the crown in the hope of its aiding their resistance. When Intergang follows and attacks them there, she summons (“Shazam!”) the hero of 2,600 B.C.E., Teth-Adam (Dwayne Johnson), from his 4,000-plus years in an underground tomb.
This film also features for the first time on-screen the JSA—the Justice Society Association. However, the plot doesn’t allow the characters to develop. It mostly uses them for comedic effect; this is particularly true with Atom Smasher (Noah Centenio). A lot of “Black Adam” centers on the bond between the leader of the JSA Hawkman otherwise known as Carter Hall (Aldis Hodge), and the powerful wizard Dr. Fate (Pierce Brosnan). However, the film belongs to Teth-Adam and his magnificent presence. And even with all the killing, he comes across as funny. He doesn’t realize the power that he has and is therefore underwhelmed by it.
Not a Home-run, but Sets Up Future ‘Black Adam’ Films
Overall, even Johnson’s charisma doesn’t help this film in certain ways. It is a very predictable story with overused genre tropes. This includes a lack of character development and often poor CGI. However, “Black Adam” has separated critics and audiences, as filmgoers are having a great time at the cinema. With its story deficits, this may be to do with the huge cameo in the end credits scene—which sets up future DC films featuring Black Adam—but its ultimate success remains to be seen.
“Black Adam” is currently available is currently only available to watch in theaters. Expect to see it on HBO Max around December 5th.
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