Black Adam Review: Confusion in Understanding the Anti-Hero Concept
After a long wait, 'Black Adam' will be released in 2022 as one of the films in the DC universe, specifically the spin-off of 'Shazam!' (2019). The 125-minute film was directed by Jaume Collet-Serra and produced by New Line Cinema, DC Films, Seven Bucks Productions and FlynnPictureCo.
Dwayne Johnson plays Teth-Adam aka Black Adam. This film also stars Aldis Hodge as Carter Hall aka Hawkman, Pierce Brosnan as Kent Nelson aka Doctor Fate, Marwan Kenzari, Noah Centono, and several other Hollywood stars.
Dwayne managed to build high hype on various occasions. The ambition he has brought since the beginning of production has proven to be able to sustain the production of this film from various obstacles since its initial announcement in 2014. However, 'Black Adam' is nothing more than a film that prioritizes visuals and crowded fights.
The story is less dense and confused with the concept of an anti-hero
Like Billy Batson in 'Shazam!' (2019), a slave boy in the city of Khandaq in the past was also chosen as the champion of the Shazam wizard and saved the city from the tyrant king who wanted to gain the power of Sabbac. However, tragedy struck his family so that this power was passed down to his father as Teth-Adam.
In the present, Teth-Adam is back up again due to the efforts of a group of military gangs who want to get Sabbac's power. The Justice Society actually sees Teth Adam as a threat, while Sabbac returns and destroys the city. Teth-Adam manages to defeat him and adapts the name Black Adam as the protector of Khandaq City.
The transition between the good and the cruel nature of Black Adam also doesn't look natural because the story plot seems to be confused to emphasize the concept of the anti-hero itself. The characters who play a vital role in the rise of Black Adam don't get a lot of portion in the story. On the other hand, members of the Justice Society of America actually get more places when they appear like late heroes.
The composition of the story might feel more compact if JSA also plays a role in the rise of Black Adam without reducing the dilemma he is experiencing. The film's story also doesn't focus on defeating the villain, but pays more attention to the issues of the main character.
Bustling Characters with Themselves
Through his acting, Dwayne has repeatedly emphasized Black Adam's position as an anti-hero. True to his character in the comic universe, he has no qualms putting the interests of the City of Khandaq above all else. The Black Adam character that he brings is also more talkative than the comic version which is more expressive.
However, the writing of the dialogue feels cliche because it keeps bringing up its past as a slave, as if it is only looking for moral justification for its attitude between good and evil. Instead of convincing the audience, Black Adam's motives fluctuate throughout the story as if unsure of his own identity.
On the other hand, the presence of four JSA retainers only impresses to enliven the battle since they were added to the story recently. Hawkman has been working with Doctor Fate for a long time, but their chemistry was only seen when Doctor Fate was about to sacrifice himself. Atom Smasher and Cyclone only appear to show their strength and make mistakes like apprentices. Sabbac also doesn't feel like a threatening villain aside from his scary appearance.
The director seems to understand that Doctor Fate has its own potential if Black Adam is deemed to be less than optimal. Doctor Fate who is no less iconic than the history of superhero comics is at least able to balance the quality of "Doctor Strange" from the MCU. This was proven by the presence of Brosnan, who stole the attention with stunning magic visuals.
Doctor Fate's popular pose from the game 'Injustice 2' is also featured in one of the scenes to add to the hype of DC fans. Not a few are looking forward to the story of Doctor Strange in the upcoming DC Studios production.
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