Friday, October 28, 2022

Black Adam (2022)

 

A long time ago, movies started with the title of the film.  No, that's not what happened here.  The Council of Wizards chose a hero to help save his land and free his people.  According to legend, Teth-Adam does that, but then disappears.  Some 5000 years later, Khandaq is still oppressed by invaders, and Teth-Adam returns.  This is sort of a mixed blessing to everyone, since he is full of rage and power.  No one should make him mad, though he seems to be mad all the time.  InterGang has taken over the country, and we all know who funds that group.  Amanda Waller, of Task Force X, sends the JSA to contain Teth-Adam.  This group consists of Dr. Fate, Hawkman, Atom Smasher and the Red Tornado.  After many battles, Teth-Adam finds and fulfills his destiny and defeats Sabbac.  The JSA departs and lets the newly christened Black Adam ponder his future.

There sure is a lot going on here.  I enjoyed the movie, but it all looked ever so familiar.  The Sergio Leone homage was a nice touch.  Haven't we seen a lot of this movie before?  A giant running around, a mystical hero (though I loved Pierce Brosnan in the role of Kent Nelson).  Hawkman being rather obsessed about capturing Teth-Adam, despite seeing the people cheer for said Adam.  Two younger heroes learning their way.  One of them is a genius.  That would be Maxine Hunkel, the Red Tornado.  I really appreciate her name.  Also, Henry Winkler as Al Pratt, the original Atom is great.

About ten minutes could have been taken out, with no harm to the movie.  Dwayne Johnson is a really good actor.  I'm pretty sure Nabu will not remain in limbo for long.  The post credits sequence proves that Black Adam doesn't know how many powerful beings on the Earth there are now.  I would assume a team up with Superman and/or Captain Marvel will be forthcoming.

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