The Masked Cinema 2022 - Black Adam

Black Adam breaks up the horror rampage at the cinema. It's rare to get excited for a superhero film, after a long run of horror films in 2022.

However Dwayne Johnson (Young Rock) stars in this spin-off from Shazam! (who remembers that film?) and the eleventh film in the DC Extended Universe. 

The film also stars Aldis Hodge, Noah Centineo, Sarah Shahi, Marwan Kenzari, Quintessa Swindell, Mohammed Amer, Bodhi Sabongui along with former Bond, Pierce Brosnan. 

The loose plot is around Adam, an ancient superhuman who is released from his magic imprisonment by a group of archeologists in order to free the city of Kahndaq from the crime syndicate Intergang.

Black Adam has grossed $326.3 million worldwide, and received mixed reviews from critics, with praise for its visual effects and Johnson's performance, but criticism for its screenplay. I had heard good things about the film, however still went in fearing the worst. My score below.

This wasn't the worst superhero film, however it was far from the best. The Rock tries hard with what he has to work with, however it's just not that much to work with. DC has a bit of a problem now. Shelving Batgirl, four films potentially scheduled for 2023, the majority of DC TV shows being cancelled whilst most projects (other than the great Peacemaker) getting average at best reviews.

After watching Stargirl the Justice Society references made some sense to me, Viola Davis also made her way back as Amanda Waller from the Suicide Squad films. Where the first was way better than the average second.

Of course there is a big surprise at the end credits, however does that make up for the other two hours of crashing through buildings and explosions? No.

I'll pass this cause I like Dwayne Johnson in the recently returned Young Rock. 2.5 Stars. Come on DC, give us Batgirl, can't be much worse than this right?