Black Adam Movie Review : Dwayne Johnson and the visuals are a treat

However, when he uses his power for revenge, he’s imprisoned for 5,000 years. In modern-day Kahndaq, taken over by the paramilitary group Intergang, a freedom fighter accidentally reads an incantation, wakens Adam, and implores him to free Kahndaq. As his idea of justice is born out of rage, the Justice Society: Hawkman, Dr Fate, Atom Smasher and Cyclone are out to stop him and restore international peace.

Review: The flick’s plot is predictable because one has already seen enough superhero movies. An angry godlike superhero with a dark past, an evil ruler after a magical crystal Eternium that can create a powerful and demonic crown of Sabbac, rebels who want to free their people, and a group of superheroes who take on the mighty Teth-Adam. But, the flawless action sequences and visuals are a saving grace all along the way, from the opening sequence in ancient Kahndaq to the last.

Director Jaume Collet-Serra (House of Wax, Orphan) seems to have focused more on the film’s visual appeal than the plot or a proper backdrop for a movie launching the new Justice Society. 'Black Adam' only gives a cursory introduction and mentions the superpowers of Carter Hall/Hawkman (Aldis Hodge), Kent Nelson or Dr Fate (Pierce Brosnan), Albert Rothstein or Atom Smasher (Noah Centineo), Maxine Hunkel or Cyclone (Quintessa Swindell). Of course, one can anticipate spin-offs and sequels to do that.

Even if one sits on the edge of the seat, the thrill gets exhausting after a point. There are too many tracks to keep track of. When you think the movie is making way for a sequel, perhaps, another subplot begins. The scenes sans these are a bit dull. Rolling Stones’s 'Paint it Black' with slow-motion scenes and explosions while introducing Black Adam and Lorne Balfe’s music are used well.

Dwayne Johnson as Black Adam is the perfect choice to play the brooding dark hero, and Pierce Brosnan as Dr Fate is a delight. Noah Centineo as Smasher lends a bit of comic relief, especially his equation with Hawkman, but his budding friendship with Cyclone doesn’t do much. Sarah Shahi as the professor and rebel leader Adrianna Tomaz is superb. The triumvirate of Sarah, her son Amon (Bodhi Sabongui) and her brother Karim (Mohammed Amer) bring some respite as the humane counterparts to the superheroes.

'Black Adam' is a one-time-watch, especially for Dwayne Johnson and the jaw-dropping visuals and action sequences.