BLACK ADAM

The DC Extended Universe seems to be having something of a resurgence in recent times. After shaky beginnings, in which they seemed to take a more is more approach, trying to emulate the success of Marvels Avengers Assemble, they have settled into a rhythm, where creating fun superhero stories is their priority, with the multi-hero stories, and universe building - while still a core aim - somewhat on the back-burner.

Black Adam continues this trend, offering for the most part, an enjoyable anti-hero story that fits nicely into, without ever feeling washed out by, the extended universe.

While, for better or worse, we are introduced to a large number of characters, Teth-Adam (Dwayne Johnson) is, throughout, the films priority. The extended cast used to accentuate the different aspects of Teth-Adam’s character, rather than taking the spotlight themselves.

On the one shoulder we have Adrianna Tomaz (Sarah Shahi) a University professor turned freedom fighter, who wakes Teth-Adam from his near 3000 year exile, and her son Amon (Bodhi Sabongui). The two become modern day substitutes for the family that Teth-Adam has lost, bringing out a more fatherly, protective side of his character.

On the other we have The Justice Society of America, made up of Hawkman (Aldis Hodge), the leader of the group and Doctor Fate (Pierce Brosnan), The most experienced member of the team whose Helmet of Fate can allow him to glimpse the future. They also welcome two newcomers to the society; Cyclone (Quintessa Swindell) who can control the wind, and Atom Smasher (Noah Centineo) who has the ability to manipulate his size and strength.

The justice society represent, and bring out, Teth-Adams more reckless side. A side with little regard for collateral damage. Trying to do good, but not necessarily in the right way.

This pull forms the dramatic basis of Black Adam in between the numerous fight scenes. For any superhero film to truly be a success they need this hook, and while this is not quite the most engaging we’ve seen, or even as engaging as it could have ben, it does offer enough to keep you watching in the quieter moments.

The fight scenes themselves look incredible and director Jaume Collet-Serra - a stalwart of action cinema - and cinematographer Lawrence Sher, deserve credit for making even the most crowded fight scene easy to navigate. The choreography of the scenes, alongside the CGI which, despite being big and loud, manages to feel natural in the world of the film

It isn’t all good however. As we approach the films climax, I started finding myself wanting it to finish.

Indeed, I could really have done without the last 20 minutes of the film. They follow what feels like should be a natural ending. A moment which would have planted seeds for the future of the franchise, and the character. Indeed, what follows could well have been a film in its own right. A Justice Society follow up, which would have allowed more time to explore these characters, and meaning much of the final act may have felt a little more meaningful.

Because of the sheer number of characters introduced, we do not really get to spend enough time  with The Justice Society to begin to form any kind of substantial relationship with them. I have no doubt that they will appear in future DC films, but it is, at times, difficult to see the point of Cyclone and Atom Smasher. It perhaps would have been a better use of time to focus solely on the more experienced members of the group, before introducing the newbies in a standalone film further down the line.

Dwayne Johnson, while not bad in the role, felt oddly out of place to me. He delivers the quips that you’d expect him to, he handles the action as well as you’d expect him to, but I couldn’t help feel he doesn’t make sense in this Universe. 

I am, ordinarily, a big fan of Johnson, he can be a captivating and charismatic screen presence, often elevating average films into something better, and he seems like a thoroughly decent guy, but something here just didn’t quite work for me. In the same way that I believe Tom Cruise would not have felt right as Iron Man, perhaps sometime an actor is just too big for a role like this. One which is, at some point, going to have to fit into a wider Universe.

Overall though, Black Adam does manage to continue DC’s run of enjoyable - and no doubt profitable - offerings.

In a time when the Marvel Cinematic Universe seem to flailing in search of a renewed identity, The DC Extended Universe seems to have finally found some solid footing. 

With James Gunns new role as co-head of DC Films, for the first time the DCEU feels like it has some direction, and I find myself starting to look forward to seeing what a franchise I once considered to be Marvel-Light has to offer.