50. Black Adam

 

Well hi!

Back so soon?

I know, this is becoming unnerving, you didn't see me for over a year and now I'm always here...it may slow down soon but we will see!

So Black Adam, the DCU's latest movie to rival its Marvel counterparts. 

I've always been a Batman fan, you'd call me a fake fan I suppose as until my mid teens I'd never watched anything Batman related other than the Scooby Doo and the Val Kilmer version, but I liked the idea of Batman and his infamous villain counterparts. 

It wasn't really until Gotham came out that I decided to slip into the DC universe properly. If you know me you will know all about my love for that show, but at this point in my life I had extended my Batman viewings a little further to the Tim Burton movies and the Dark Knight trilogy. It was aight.

I'll admit, after this small stint in the DC world, Marvel did have its claws in me. Although I had never really heard of anything Marvel other than Spiderman (I didn't even know Spiderman was Marvel until much later), their movies gripped me with big stars and humour-- that is the one thing I think the DC movies lack, humour. 

As I sat there Tuesday night I watched Dwayne Johnson flash across my screen as some kind of anti-hero. He was very serious even in the moments that he tried to deliver some comedic lines. The only thing remotely humourous during this movie was Pierce Brosnan and his deadpan quips. He was a relatable character and I really wanted to see more of him. But that is my biggest comparable flaw here, I'm not saying Marvel is better than DC or vise versa, I am happily a fan of both. But Marvel has a way of making light of the dire situations, we get comic relief and light moments, and most of the dialogue is in some way intended to be hilarious. DC seems to be serious all the time, even when it is intended as funny it is overshadowed by the seriousness. The lighting is always dark and ominous, the characters are always struck by tragedy and self righteous, it's dark man, real dark. But I kinda dig that.

Teth or Black Adam is a little bit of a liability. He's got a tragic backstory as per and to be honest is a bit of a dick, but he makes good in the end. I was surprised actually at how quickly he adapted to modern ways. But then again it was a bit of a conflicting job. One minute he didn't know what sarcasm was, the next he was standing in a plane like it was completely normal.

But I think Dwayne did a good job. He was convincing and terrifying.

Every time I see him in some kind of mythological based movie I get instantly transported back to The Mummy Returns. I can't help it. He suits these roles.

Shout out to my main man Hardison from Leverage (Aldis Hodge) I'm so pleased to see him on the big screen, although I miss him in Leverage Redemption, he ain't around much.

Aldis and Pierce were actually the highlights of this movie for me. They were funny, they were dynamic, they were pure talents. Put against someone like the Rock was a great idea, it really showed how they can bounce off one another, Dwayne's monotone (in a good way) performance allowed them to really show their strengths. 

I won't lie, I was a little bored during this movie. It was quite action paced and menacing as DC movies always are, but there just wasn't any pivotal moments. I'm not talking about when Black Adam decided to be the hero, I'm talking about the intimate moments we get leading up to things. This movie is just all go, I don't think we ever really stop to breathe or process what's happening, we just jump into the next pointless fight. The CGI was cool though, you know I love skeleton/ legion of the dead armies. 

The Justice Society does have a really good ring to it, I like it more than Justice League. Society sounds refined and trust worthy, league sounds like a football club. I'd be interested to see more of these characters, especially Dr Fate (I have no idea if he's been in any previous movies), I told you I was a fake fan. I've seen both Suicide Squads, all the Batmans, Shazam, and Harley Quinn. I think that's all. So I have no idea if he is in Justice League or Wonder Woman or whatever, or if in fact any of them were. I just know I want more. 

I also really liked the dynamic between the kid, his ma, and the uncle. That was sweet, I hope they come back as like Black Adam's adopted family or something, teaching him the modern ways. They were also a highlight as they brought depth to an otherwise 2 dimensional emotionless movie. Wow that was harsh.

Black Adam is obviously connected widely to the Shazam story arc. That's obvious, but I want a Shazam team up, get all of the wizards peeps together to form a super group.

Lastly, before I rate this movie we need to talk about the post credits scene. Yes there is only one, don't stay til the very end credits. I did so you don't have to, there is nothing. I won't spoil it but that moment where Black Adam meets that big boy hero was worth sitting through this movie for me. I haven't even seen any of the man's hero movies and I was excited. Another reason this is so obviously connected to the Shazam world as think back to that movie and the sort of cameo there. I love it.

Overall then, I give Black Adam a 6/10. If I ever had reason to do a DC universe challenge, then I would probably watch this movie again. If I was given the choice off my own back then probably not. It was okay, that's all really, just okay. I didn't even feel this way when watching Morbius, at least then I had Matt Smith to drool over. This was meh, I'm sorry Aldis, I wanted better for you.

So what do ya think, agree with me or think this was great? Drop me a comment on my socials!