BLACK ADAM (M)

• Director: Jaume Collet-Serra
• Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Aldis Hodge, Pierce Brosnan, Noah Centineo, Sarah Shahi, Quintessa Swindell
• Genre: Action/fantasy
• Running time: 2 hours 5 minutes

How can a stable, which contains Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and The Flash, get it so constantly wrong on the big screen?

That must be the question on everyone’s lips following DC’s latest foray into the superhero world, Black Adam.

Sure, it’s not the worst movie the company’s released… that honour presently belongs to Ryan Reynolds’ Green Lantern (it might be why he moved to Marvel with Deadpool).

At least it is entertaining.

But, it’s still a long way behind Aquaman and the first Wonder Woman outing, although the poor CGI endings almost ruined those flicks, too.

Black Adam offered so much promise.

The storyline appeared interesting, starting in ancient Kahndaq: Teth Adam was bestowed the almighty powers of the gods.

After using these powers for vengeance, he was imprisoned, becoming Black Adam.

Nearly 5,000 years have passed… and he’s gone from man to myth to legend.

Now free, his unique form of justice, born out of rage, is challenged by modern-day heroes who form the Justice Society: Hawkman, Dr. Fate, Atom Smasher and Cyclone.

See, it sounds “exciting”.

It had Dwayne Johnson and ex-James Bond star Pierce Brosnan on board, and a cool support cast, as well.

However, after viewing it, someone like Idris Elba would have suited the lead role better.

Johnson boasts too much charisma to play such a brooding character like Black Adam.

And, just when you think he’s warming to the task, he retreats into his shell.

Then you have the awkward Atom Smasher, a poor man’s Ant-Man.

He tries to provide the laughs; instead looks like a bumbling fool.

But, don’t be alarmed… it’s not all doom and gloom.

The saviours of Black Adam are Aldis Hodge (Hawkman/Carter Hall) and Brosnan, as Dr Fate/Kent Nelson.

Each of them brings a natural charm to their alter-egos, similar to Chris Pine’s Steve Trevor in Wonder Woman.

Both deserve stand-alone features, only if done correctly, which is highly-unlikely given DC’s track record.

The emergence of the Justice Society is a positive, too, that might form a series of its own.

One thing we must be thankful for, however, is the fact over-rated director Zack Snyder had nothing to do with this film.

Bring on the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) every day of the week.

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