Black Adam

Tonight, I went out with a friend to see “Black Adam,” which came out a little over two weeks ago and this has been slammed by critics. However, audiences love this movie, so let’s find out how this is.

The latest installment from the DCEU looks at the darkness that anyone can experience when they get betrayed, grief, anger or anything else that triggers from traumatic events or happenings in life. With the right people to help and openness, even those experiences can hold rays of hope. That is the story of “Black Adam.”

Let’s tell the truth from the beginning. Teth Adam, played by Dwayne Johnson, as he’s told throughout the film, is not a hero, he’s an anti-hero – with hero potential. He’s shown, not as evil, but as livid and the anger makes him do some really horrendous actions.

Welcome to Kahndaq, Black Adam’s home. Imagine a Middle Eastern-like country that has been under oppression for centuries. The people suffering have been in rebellion against their oppressors for the same amount of time.

Flash forward to today, the rebellion is led by Adrianna, played by Sarah Shahi, a Tomb Raider-like who wants the find the crown of Eternium, made by an evil king from long ago. The crown and saying “Shazam!” will summon a century-prisoned warrior. What she gets is Teth Adam, filled with rage at his 5,000-year exile who immediately starts murdering everyone he sees with his lightning bolts, like Raiden.

In comes the Justice Society of America (JSA), whose mission is to keep people like Teth Adam in check. Ordered to go to Kahndaq are Hawkman (Aldis Hodge), Cyclone (Queintessa Swindell), Atom Smasher (Noah Centineo), and Doctor Fate (Pierce Brosnan). Fate and Hawkman have been around for years and are very close friends. Cyclone and Atom Smasher are the new recruits. Atom Smasher is literally putting on his superhero suit for the very first time. His mistakes at being a superhero give some laughs in this dark story.

Hosea Rupprecht said in her review, “For a believing audience, the ethics of this film present a quandry.” Adrianna’s son, Amon, played by Bodhi Sabongui, worships Adam. Why not, he’s supposed to be the hero the people have been waiting for. Meanwhile, Hawkman is trying to get through to Adam that heroes don’t kill people. However, Adam won’t listen to him, wanting only to cause chaos on the current enemies of his home country, Intergang and their leader Ishmael, played by Marwan Kenzari. However, the JSA doesn’t stop, helping the fight against Intergang but without killing anyone.

Rupprecht mentioned, “Casting someone as physically daunting as Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson in the role of Black Adam was a stroke of genius but the script gives him little to do but scowl and look menacing. Pierce Brosnan as Doctor Fate provides the best performance, looking debonaire and put together, even as he struggles to convince Adam that he can become the champion that his people need, that he can transform from seeking revenge to serving his people rather than himself.”

Be prepared to know that this film is not meant for children. Rupprecht said, “There's quite a body count while Black Adam tries to get his priorities straight and in the pre-historic preamble to the film a boy gets stabbed and thrown off a cliff. Not pretty.” If you decide to let older children see the film, it gives a great chance to have a conversation about what it means to look up to someone for their mistakes and what it is that can attract us to such people. After all, nobody is completely negated of mistakes in their lives.

We all have had moments of anger, grief, betrayal that have come from painful or traumatic events. What we do with those memories is up to us. Just know that in the bad times there are always rays of hope, people or thoughts we can hold onto to get us through the bad times. Rupprecht ended her review by saying, “For us believers, the glimmers that keep us going are gifts from our loving God who always holds us in the palm of his hand, leading us from darkness into light.”

Spoiler alert: the mid-credits scene shows Amanda Waller (Viola Davis) calling Adam and warns him against leaving Khandaq, before Superman (Henry Cavill) arrives and says they need to talk.

Personally, I think this is one of the darker DCEU movies that we have gotten in a while. However, as a spin-off of “Shazam,” it’s good. I liked it a lot and I think everyone should see it. Go to the theaters and watch it because you will like it, I promise. Even though there might be moments that remind you of Raiden, Doctor Strange, or even Transformers, I still think it is good.

Thank you for joining in on today’s review. Stay tuned this Friday for the next review in “Benicio Del Toro Month.”