About the film (courtesy of Warner Bros.):
Nearly 5,000 years after he was bestowed with the almighty powers of the ancient gods—and imprisoned just as quickly—Black Adam (Dwayne Johnson) is freed from his earthly tomb, ready to unleash his unique form of justice on the modern world.

Dwayne Johnson’s long-awaited flesh and blood debut (DC League of Super-Pets (2022) is animated and isn’t a part of the DCEU) in a superhero franchise has finally arrived, and let’s be honest here, it was only a matter of time. It was never a matter of if for the wrestler-turned-mega-move-star, but rather WHEN would something come across his radar that might hook his interest. And to his credit, Johnson has been patient and calculated until he could find the right opportunity to fit his skillset. Black Adam has been on the table and in the works for longer than most of us have known. Now he steps into the DC Extended Universe and is ready for a fight!

The original idea was for Billy Batson and Teth-Adam to share an origin story where both characters became Shazam and Black Adam, respectively. Instead, Dwayne Johnson influenced the decision to allow for the individual standalone project of Shazam! (2019), which Zachary Levi has to be very thankful with how successful his solo movie has been, leading to the eventual release of Black Adam. Now comes the part where Johnson needs to deliver to keep the momentum going. And he’s not going to have Kevin Hart there, this time, to help him out.

Black Adam is an origin story that starts a loooooooonnng time before 99% of the characters we’ve come to know in the DCEU ever existed. What audiences will learn very quickly is just how closely tied together this film is with Shazam! (2019). For reasons of continuity and familiarity, it’s refreshing to see familiar faces or hear familiar names referenced during parts of this story. The fragmentation of DC’s movies has been maddening because very little stays connected. Maybe they’re finally seeing (and owning) the error of their ways.

There’s a lot to digest of the 124 minute runtime of this feature, maybe too much if I’m being honest with myself. Finding the right balance is key. This is where Black Adam struggles, in the concept of sometimes less is more. Much is crammed into a plot that is all over the place from a timeline and even geological perspective. Heaven forbid you have to leave the theater for a couple of minutes. The same can be said from a CGI perspective. There’s so much CGI going on that it becomes bothersome because you’ve been numbed by it.

Dwayne Johnson is clearly the alpha dog of this project and, rightfully so, all things go through him. For the most part, Black Adam is the embodiment of exactly what you’d assume him to be based on past performances and how he’s perceived. There’s nothing wrong with that because you get EXACTLY what you’d assume you would from him. Sarah Shahi, Bodhi Sabongui, Pierce Brosnan, Aldis Hodge, Noah Centineo and Quintessa Swindell are a few of the supporting actors that have substantial parts to play, yet no one really stands out above the rest.

Obviously, Black Adam is definitely one that you’ll want to keep on your radar if you’re a fan Dwayne Johnson and/or these types of superhero movies that we seem to get thrown our way every couple of months. And thankfully, there’s a decent amount of lighthearted fun and jabs taken to keep it from drifting into the dark and drab lane. The soundtrack also lends a helping hand to the upbeat action sequences, of which there are MANY. That said, don’t get it twisted, there are some darker moments mixed in that help remind you that you are still watching a DC Comics movie.

There is more to like about Black Adam than there is to dislike. So with that, I’m giving this a soft recommendation with the caveat that you’ll enjoy it more if you’re a fan of Dwayne Johnson, just because he’s Dwayne Johnson. And while it’s not always a given in DC/Warner Bros. movies, there is a single post-credits scene, so you don’t want to head to your vehicles straight away.

Black Adam releases in theaters only starting later today and everyone on Friday, October 21. Check it out.