Black Adam Review

Dwayne Johnson’s Anti-Hero Turn is Epic

To be a hero or not to be a hero — that is the question for Dwayne Johnson’s conflicted meta-human — Teth Adam.

If you haven’t seen the movie, “Black Adam”, there are spoilers ahead.

After watching “Black Adam,” I am convinced that Dwayne Johnson, formerly “The Rock,” has reached the upper echelons of A-list stardom.

Sure, Johnson has had big hits over the past few years — “The Fast and the Furious”, and the “Jumanji” reboot with Kevin Hart. But there’s something about “Black Adam” that takes Johnson’s acting to the next level.

In the movie, Johnson plays a demigod from an ancient city called Khandijar awakened after a 5.000-year slumber. Johnson’s character received his powers from the gods and was in turn imprisoned by them (more on that later).

Awakened in modern Khandijar by a university professor, Teth Adam (as he’s originally called) goes on a literal killing spree, taking out a paramilitary group that controls the country. After Teth Adam saves the professor and her brother from the bad guys, he’s injured by an Etherium-infused bomb and brought to the professor’s home.

When Teth Adam regains consciousness, he’s greeted by the professor’s teenage son, an avid comic book reader and fledgling rebel. He wants to help his mother protect an ancient crown and free Khandijar from the military goons. Suffice it to say, mom wants her son as far from danger as possible. The militia is looking for mom and the crown, so her life is on the line.

A former friend, believed to be dead, is the leader of the paramilitary group looking for the crown. He kidnaps the professor's son and whisks him away to the military’s headquarters. After Teth Adam battles the Justice Society (rip off of the Justice League), they agree to team up with the professor to rescue her son.

Teth Adam lays waste to the bad guys’ headquarters, saves the professor’s son, and regains the crown. The leader is seemingly killed but it’s all part of his plan to go to the demon world and become their champion. Meanwhile, Teth Adam feels regret when the professor’s son was injured during the rescue mission. He says the word ” Shazam” and gives up his powers.

Viola Davis makes a brief guest appearance as Waller, the leader of America’s meta-human containment department. Teth Adam is brought to an undersea prison and placed in suspended animation. Meanwhile, the leader of the paramilitary group is turned into a super demon and sent back to the living world.

As the last heir to the original king of Khandijar, he wants to rule the country and let the demons have their way on earth. He battles the Justice Society and one of its members, Dr. Fate, sacrifices himself to protect the rest of the team. Unfortunately, the demon champion sits on the throne, activating a portal that allows the demons to come to earth.

Dr. Fate, before he dies, reaches out to Teth Adam, encouraging him to wake up and return to Khandijar. Teth Adam escapes from his containment cell, battles the guards, and swims to freedom. But he drowns before he reaches the surface. In the spirit world, he’s reunited with his family. His son informs him that his work in the living world is not yet done and tells him to say the word — Shazam.

The movie wraps up with Teth Adam and the Justice Society teaming up to defeat the demon champion. Teth Adam goes off with the professor and her family as the people of Khandijar celebrate their liberation. Later, in the after-credits, Waller appears before Teth Adam (now Black Adam) and tells him that he must remain in Khandijar. If he leaves the country, there will be problems. Teth Adam confidently proclaims that “no one on this planet can defeat me.” Waller responds that she can call in some people who weren’t born on this planet. Black Adam tells her to bring them all.

At this point, Superman (played by Henry Cavill) appears and tells Black Adam that they need to talk. It was exciting to see Henry Cavill back in the super suit. Superman can definitely take Black Adam to school in a fight. But I wonder about Billy Batson who is also Shazam. Will he and Black Adam come to blows? I can’t wait for the next movie!

Johnson showed a different side of his acting ability as Black Adam. The character was basically a man who lost everything to be given everything. He wasn’t a hero. He was a father who lost his family to an evil ruler. If it weren’t for his son who was the original recipient of the powers, he would have died.

Black Adam is an anti-hero. He has no problems killing bad guys. As Dr. Fate said, “sometimes the world doesn’t need a white knight.” Black Adam is no knight. If you get in his way, you will die.

Johnson didn’t have a lot of speaking parts in the movie. But when he did speak, his words made an impact. His facial expressions didn’t change much. His voice was usually monotone. But Johnson was perfect as a conflicted superhuman trying to find his way in a world that left him behind.

I give “Black Adam” five out of five stars. This is a MUST-SEE movie!