It’s almost here! The long promised Black Adam movie, starring Dwayne Johnson in a role that the actor has spent over a decade preparing for, has finally screened for critics and a handful of fans. And the response so far? Well, we’ll call it mixed but positive. Early viewers (including this writer…and you can spot my reaction tweet later in this piece, as well) are praising Black Adam as an action-packed spectacle, one that is packed to the absolute gills with DC Comics and DCEU lore, and Johnson’s performance, while singling out the writing and pacing something of a mixed bag.
That all seems fair enough. Black Adam has a hill to climb as a movie based on one of the more obscure characters in the DC pantheon, not to mention one of the less explored corners of the DC Universe as a whole. Still, Warner Bros. is betting big on both the film and Johnson’s star power, not to mention the actor’s willingness to promote the movie as something that will restore the DCEU to a state that fans will embrace. There’s enough confidence here that positive word of mouth will carry the movie to box office success when it opens on Oct. 21.
There’s still some time before we get the official, full reviews of Black Adam, however. The social media embargo was timed to the film’s New York City premiere on Wednesday evening, but the actual review embargo won’t lift until Tuesday, Oct. 18 at 5:30 EDT. That’s when we’ll have full reviews from a wide range of critics, as well.
Here’s the official synopsis for the film:
Nearly 5,000 years after he was bestowed with the almighty powers of the ancient gods—
and imprisoned just as quickly—Black Adam (Dwayne Johnson) is freed from his earthly tomb, ready to
unleash his unique form of justice on the modern world.
Here are those early reactions. And just one final word of warning, if you’re perusing the Black Adam hashtag on Twitter, beware of spoilers, as there are some pretty major ones out there!
DC’s #BlackAdam ROCKS! Tons of action, characters you’re instantly invested in & terrific pacing. Dwayne Johnson finds a great balance in being menacing & badass, but also empathetic. Especially loved Aldis Hodge’s Hawkman & Pierce Brosnan’s Doctor Fate. More JSA movies please! pic.twitter.com/YSCco9zYA3
— Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) October 13, 2022
#BlackAdam struggles to find its footing at first but once the Justice Society enters it becomes more fun to watch. Dwayne Johnson’s anti-hero presents an intriguing new dynamic to the DCEU. Solid visual effects. Weak villain. Post-credits scene got the biggest reaction of all. pic.twitter.com/qbVmWkYLjv
— Matt Neglia @NYFF (@NextBestPicture) October 13, 2022
.@TheRock is terrific in #BlackAdam, which includes a hearty amount of real world touchstones (most affecting is it reinforces the need for heroes in bleak times). Director Juame Collet-Serra lays out building blocks for a larger, grand universe. Action is lively & BIG in scale. pic.twitter.com/pDBkSHRDrI
— My Scary Name *is* Courtney Howard (@Lulamaybelle) October 13, 2022
I have seen #BlackAdam! This was one of my most anticipated films of the year, and it did not disappoint. The action sequences were incredible, especially the ones with the JSA. The Rock crushes it as Black Adam. The film’s end left me with high hopes for the future of the DCEU. pic.twitter.com/vd0Zy35lWT
— Dorian Parks (@DorianParksnRec) October 13, 2022
I’m going to save all I have to say about #BlackAdam for my review but let’s just say my theater knew exactly what they were watching. They were stone cold silent but for three (3) moments of middling comedy and the mid-credits scene. It’s bad and not even in an ironic fun way. pic.twitter.com/T1t5CtK7Xz
— Eric Franken-cisco 🎃 (@EricFrancisco24) October 13, 2022
BLACK ADAM is an action-packed crowd pleaser, @TheRock is at the top of his game.
Doctor Fate and Hawkman are standouts and the JSA fleshes out the DC universe.
The surprise everyone’s been waiting for definitely delivers, and it will get fans excited for the future. #BlackAdam
— Sheraz Farooqi (@SherazFarooqi_) October 13, 2022
#BlackAdam is a worthy new piece of the DC puzzle, but not the savior it promised.
A surprising compressed timeline keeps the action exciting & pace propulsive, but also turns its many (many) themes, plots, & characters into fancy window dressing. It’s messy in a watchable way. pic.twitter.com/uwZUb2hbiM
— Germain Lussier (@GermainLussier) October 13, 2022
My #BlackAdam take: Brosnan and Hodge give the two strongest superhero movie performances in any film post Endgame. @TheRock backed up the talk, he was born for this role. And despite the narratives and studio drama, DC has 3 of the 4 most enjoyable superhero films since 2019.
— Chris Longo (@east_coastbias) October 13, 2022
#BlackAdam is a solid crowd-pleaser. Lots of spectacle and humor while also actually embracing the DCEU and setting up something very exciting for its future. It doesn’t pull many surprises and feels very familiar at times, but it’s definitely enjoyable popcorn entertainment. pic.twitter.com/grh2W3BMvM
— Gregg Katzman (@GreggKatzman) October 13, 2022
As a DC fan, #BlackAdam is a blast. Johnson is perfect, the JSA rule (especially Brosnan & Hodge), and it does more to make the DCEU feel like a connected world than anything else in recent memory. As a critic? It feels like a late ’90s blockbuster, for better and for worse.
— Mike Cecchini (@wayoutstuff) October 13, 2022
BOOM! #BlackAdam @TheRock delivers us one of the most ADRENALINE FUELLED adventures of the year! This 300 style ACTION SPECTACLE feels like a hit for DC. Some side characters & a shaky script prevent this from changing the hierarchy of the DCEU. Pierce Brosnan is a scene stealer! pic.twitter.com/TWFUpBcEKs
— Shahbaz 🎃 The Movie Podcast (@shayhbaz) October 13, 2022
Oof. #BlackAdam is pretty bad. Feeling like a leftover 2000s movie that got locked away, it’s a generic superhero flick that provides nothing interesting. With it wooden acting, awful script, and dull action sequences, not even The Rock could save it. My least favorite DCEU film.
— Adam Klay @ NYFF60 (@AKlay19) October 13, 2022
Sadly, #BlackAdam isn’t the success WB needed.
It’s filled with clunky exposition, has a forgettable villain, and feels like it’s just going through the motions.
Dr. Fate was easily the best part, but Atom Smasher falls flat.
There’s some fun, but overall, it’s forgettable. pic.twitter.com/vYk52vBuDr
— Russ Milheim (@RussMilheim) October 13, 2022
#BlackAdam is the most fun I’ve had watching a DC film in theaters since BvS. The film is huge in scale, epic & that post credits Scene which we all know what it is got the biggest cheer since Endgame imo. The JSA are all fantastic & the film sets up a bright DCEU future. Love It pic.twitter.com/bbsi8tJPgH
— SuperheroesNow (@SuperheroesNow) October 13, 2022
Black Adam also stars Aldis Hodge as Hawkman, Noah Centineo as Atom Smasher, Sarah Shahi as Adrianna, Marwan Kenzari as Ishmael, Quintessa Swindell as Cyclone, Bodhi Sabongui as Amon, and Pierce Brosnan as Dr. Fate. Jaume Collet-Serra directed from a screenplay by Adam Sztykiel and Rory Haines & Sohrab Noshirvani.
Black Adam opens on Oct. 21.
The post First Black Adam Reactions Pour In appeared first on Den of Geek.
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