It might not be the best or smartest superhero film, but Black Adam absolutely rocks.
Overall Score: 7/10
Image: DC Films / Warner Bros. Pictures
Holy crap, it’s finally here! Black Adam, the superhero epic we’ve all been waiting to see for nearly a decade is finally here! Nah, just kidding. Although it really has almost been ten full years since Dwayne Johnson’s casting, the film itself is far from a cinematic masterpiece. Yet, while I’ll admit that it isn’t the best movie that’s ever been made, I actually think that it’s pretty good and that critics have been unnecessarily harsh in their assessments of it. Seriously, 40% on Rotten Tomatoes? The critics must be crazy!
All right, let me explain. For me, there’s a big difference between a generic movie and one that tries to be spectacular but fails to live up to its potential. An example of the latter would be Wonder Woman 1984: a film that initially seemed to have a lot going for it but ultimately ended up being bloated and confusing. Black Adam’s not at all like that. It’s aware that it’s inherently generic but it does the best it can with what it has. And though you could argue that it isn’t great and that it could’ve been better (heck, even I think that there’s a better movie hidden in there somewhere), can you really fault the film when it clearly knows its limits and isn’t trying to be something it’s not?
Black Adam is very reminiscent of the early 2000s action movies. It’s got jokes, one-liners, and thrilling action scenes, and it moves at a brisk pace. And because of this, some might say that this makes it feel like it should’ve come out 20 years ago. And while I do agree with that sentiment to a certain extent, I’d argue that it’s refreshing to see a throwback film like this, especially since a lot of superhero movies as of late seem intent on transcending and redefining the genre. Why can’t we have more big-budget blockbusters featuring heroes in tights and spandex duking it out on-screen? I know I’d pay to see something like that.
Taken on its own merits, Black Adam is a good movie. And while it is heavily reliant on its action scenes and its visual effects, I think that its real strength comes from its compelling characters and interesting ideas. First, let’s start with Black Adam himself. He’s not the conventional superhero. No, he’s an antihero, one whose “powers were not a gift from the wizards, but a curse. Born out of rage.” He’s suffered a great loss, so his actions are fueled by anger and the justice he serves takes the form of vengeance. He’s also a former slave, so he knows what it’s like to be the victim of oppression and, following the acquisition of his god-like powers, takes it upon himself to fight back against his evil oppressors.
Black Adam’s antithesis comes in the form of Hawkman. He sees the world as being black and white, which is made clear when he says that “In this world, there are heroes and there are villains.” You’re either one or the other. You can’t be both. Furthermore, he strictly follows a code: Heroes don’t kill. This brings him into direct conflict with Black Adam. Adam, who violently disposes of every baddie he comes across, believes that killing bad guys is the answer, as doing so will ensure that they won’t be able to hurt anyone ever again. This clash of differing ideologies leads to a fascinating discussion about what it really means to be a hero — which is one of the film’s central themes.
This brings me to Doctor Fate. Unlike Hawkman, Fate is old and has seen a lot over the course of his long life. Through his experiences, he’s come to understand that virtuous heroism alone doesn’t always work and that morally gray people and actions are sometimes necessary to defeat evildoers. Hence, although he initially sets out to stop Black Adam alongside the rest of the Justice Society, he quickly sees the value of having someone like Adam on the team. This is perfectly summed up in what Fate says to the antihero later on in the film: “The world doesn't always need a white knight. Sometimes it needs something darker.”
As for the bad guy, he’s mostly handled decently for most of the movie. It’s a bit of a shame that he becomes another generic CGI DC villain during the third act, but he serves his purpose and the movie makes up for it by spending most of its time pitting Black Adam against its other heroes.
Through its titular character’s extended battle with the JSA, the film comments on foreign interference in local conflicts. “Not your country. Not your decision to make.” That’s what Black Adam has to say to these Western heroes. To him and the people of Kahndaq, the JSA have no right to meddle in affairs that don’t concern them. They weren’t there when the nation needed them most and they never did anything to try and liberate its people from its oppressors. They’re not saviors, they’re outsiders who are only stepping in now to bring what they perceive as a threat under control. It’s all very much a representation and reflection of how the US has interfered in issues and territories where it arguably shouldn’t have, and I love that the film had the guts to tell that part of its story.
Now, if you haven’t seen Black Adam and you’ve read this review, don’t go in expecting a groundbreaking cinematic experience. To be fair, I know that I may have made the film sound like something on the level of Man of Steel or Wonder Woman, but trust me, it’s not. Still, don’t believe the people who say that it’s bad either. Yes, it’s generic and it’s not that great in terms of writing, but it has cool action sequences, great performances from Dwayne Johnson and Pierce Brosnan, and compelling themes and ideas, all of which help make it entertaining and enjoyable. And while it certainly isn’t the best movie that DC’s ever put out, it’s at least good and it leaves you excited for what’s to come.
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