A Dwayne Johnson vehicle 15 years in the making, “Black Adam” brings the DC comics’ anti-hero to the big screen in the 12th entry in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU), a franchise that began with “Man of Steel” in 2013. Directed by Jaume Collet-Serra from a screenplay by Adam Sztykiel, Rory Haines and Sohrab Noshirvani, the film stars Johnson, Aldis Hodge, Noah Centineo, Sarah Shahi, Quintessa Swindell and Pierce Brosnan. The film, which Johnson proclaimed would change the “hierarchy of power” of the superheroes and supervillains of the DCEU, is currently playing exclusively in theaters.
The story follows Teth-Adam, played by Johnson, the long-sealed-away champion of the fictional country Kahndaq. Five thousand years ago, Adam was a slave who was granted power by the Council of Wizards to liberate his country from its oppressors. However, he was subsequently imprisoned when he used his power for a vengeful rampage. In the present day, he is awakened from his long sleep by archaeologist Adrianna Tomaz, played by Shahi, to overthrow the oppressive crime syndicate known as Intergang. Adam’s brutal style of justice quickly draws the attention of the Justice Society, a new team of heroes who will stop at nothing to bring Black Adam in.
The best place to begin dissecting “Black Adam” is in its casting. Johnson has waited a long time to bring this character to the big screen and his performance does not disappoint. He easily sells the Man in Black’s intimidating physicality and stoic outer shell concealing intense inner turmoil. Surrounding The Rock is a talented supporting cast, clearly putting in a tremendous effort with the admittedly lackluster material they were given. The highlight of this is Brosnan as Doctor Fate, who brings a world-weary pathos mixed with a relatable sense of humor to the character.
It is, therefore, all the more unfortunate that these amazing performers are saddled with such a flat screenplay. The story ultimately plays it frustratingly safe, with only a few half-hearted gestures toward more interesting ideas. Even the stylistic actions that audiences have come to expect can only compensate so much for what is essentially a by-the-numbers origin story with an anti-hero polish.
“Black Adam” may bring decent performances and popcorn thrills, but the DCEU’s “hierarchy of power” remains unchanged.
