Black Adam Review

“The hierarchy of power in the DC universe is about to change.”

Dwayne Johnson, many times

Johnson is a great hype man, but come on. Then again Black Adam is in such an odd position – further proof of the DCEU’s rudderless nature – that it’s hard to know where he really stands.

Nothing is out of bounds when it comes to comic book based content now. No more concessions on suit design. No restrictions on tone. They cost a lot and they make a lot. The problem is that when anything can be done, what can stand out?

Black Adam doesn’t do anything that we haven’t seen before. Magic, changing size, controlling elements, and flight. Granted, depending on the character, the DC version was actually first (such as Dr Fate being before Doctor Strange), but audiences aren’t to know that. But when you see Atom Smasher’s mask and immediately think “Deadpool” you realise how far the genre has come. We’re so lucky!

What we haven’t seen in a comic book film before though is Pierce Brosnan. A charming and handsome man with plenty of life experience under his belt. Bar the superpowers I don’t think there’s much distance between the actor and character in that sense. He’s the single best piece of the film, so it’s a shame we don’t get to know him, or any of the JSA (again, what is going on in the DCEU now?). Everyone is absolutely OK. Some charm. Some jokes. Nothing out of place and all the boxes ticked.

We don’t get to know anyone bar broad strokes. The film zips along nicely, one action scene rarely far away from another. Johnson’s unpadded suit is suitably committed and impressive. Though he’s also part of the most incongruous piece of CGI I’ve seen this year.

There’s a ton of hyperbole around Black Adam. With DC films in a mess, the many years it’s been floating around, and the sheer amount of comic stuff around, it’s an uphill battle. Thing is though, the film is absolutely fine. Some decent action, fun characters, and a post credits scene that hints towards something cool. Great diversity too. But it’s not meant to be the next Dark Knight. So just go have a good time with it and don’t think too much. And Pierce Brosnan. Drink him in.