Black Adam
2022 · Directed by Jaume Collet-Serra
Original language: English
- action
- adventure
- science fiction
The story
Nearly 5,000 years after he was bestowed with the almighty powers of the Egyptian gods—and imprisoned just as quickly—Black Adam is freed from his earthly tomb, ready to unleash his unique form of justice on the modern world.
What it’s like
Bright, saturated digital action under hard daylight and stormy sky, with glossy CGI sheen, crisp wide compositions, and frequent low-angle shots that make the heroes loom. Cities are rendered in glassy blues and ochres, Middle Eastern desert and ancient Kahndaq glow gold and dust-brown, and lightning-streaked skies punctuate the frame. The score is loud and orchestral, driven by thudding percussion and swelling brass, with electric guitar stings during fights. Pacing is brisk and relentless, with big set-piece brawls and slow-motion power moments breaking up brief quieter exchanges. The vibe is bombastic, cheeky and swaggering, a comic-book blockbuster that plays its anti-hero's brutality for both thrills and jokes. Violence is frequent and stylized: punches land with heavy impact, bodies are thrown through walls and buildings, and there is some gunfire and a few deaths, but no gore to speak of and little lingering on suffering. Fear is light and action-driven, with some peril and a menacing demon-like villain. It suits a loud weekend action night, a snack-fuelled group watch, or a fan of the DC Extended Universe who wants a rowdy, unapologetic superhero spectacle, and a stinger after the credits.
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