New Line Cinema, DC Films, Seven Bucks Productions and Flynn Picture Co.’s Black Adam (dubbed from the Hollywood film of the same name; UA) is an out-and-out action film.
Teth-Adam (Dwayne Johnson) becomes the hero in an ancient Kahndaq, ruled by an oppressive and tyrannical king, Anh-Kot, as wizards endow him with superpowers. However, when he uses his power for revenge, Teth-Adam is imprisoned for 5,000 years. In modern-day Kahndaq, taken over by paramilitary group Intergang, a freedom fighter, Adrianna Tomaz (Sarah Shahi), accidentally reads an incantation, wakens Adam, and prods him on to free Kahndaq. However, as Teth-Adam’s idea of justice is tinged with the burning feeling of rage, the Justice Society — Hawkman (Aldis Hodge), Dr. Fate (Pierce Brosnan), Atom Smasher (Noah Centineo) and Cyclone (Quintessa Swindell) — take it upon themselves to stop him and restore international peace.
Adam Sztykiel, Rory Haines and Sohrab Noshirvani have written a screenplay which may not offer much novelty but it definitely affords a lot of scope for action sequences. Since there have been several superhero films with similar plot lines, the drama doesn’t offer much newness. However, the spectacular scale of the film and the stunts and action scenes keep the audience engrossed. Dialogues are alright but the comic flavour in the Hindi dialogues doesn’t come through at quite a few places. As a result, the comedy falls quite flat on its face.
Dwayne Johnson does a marvellous job as Tech-Adam or Black Adam, breathing fire into his character. Sarah Shahi performs well as Adrianna Tomaz. Pierce Brosnan acts wonderfully as Dr. Fate. Aldis Hodge is effective as Hawkman. Noah Centineo is good in the role of Atom Smasher. Quintessa Swindell leaves a mark as Cyclone. Viola Davis makes her mark as Amanda Waller. Marwan Kenzari (as Ishmael Gregor) makes his mark. Mohammed Amer (as Karim), Patrick Sabongui (as Rami), Jalon Christian (as Adam’s son, Hurut), Bodhi Sabongui (as Adrianna’s son, Amon), and the others are adequate.
Jaume Collet-Serra’s direction is good but not outstanding. Lorne Balfe’s music enhances the impact of the tension-ridden drama. Lawrence Sher’s cinematography is of a fantastic standard. Production designing (by Tom Meyer) is lovely. Action and stunts are thrilling. Special effects and visual effects are phenomenal. Editing (John Lee and Michael L. Sale) is sharp. Dubbing is fine.
On the whole, Black Adam is a fair entertainer.
Released on 20-10-’22 at Maratha Mandir (daily 3 shows) and other cinemas of Bombay thru Warner Bros. Pictures (India) Pvt. Ltd. Publicity: so-so. Opening: impressive, considering that these are pre-Diwali days which are supposed to be dull for the box-office. …….Also released all over. Opening is quite good everywhere.