Connor Bynum // Film Critic
BLACK ADAM
The DCEU has had a bit of an identity crisis over the last couple of years, and BLACK ADAM is certainly no different. After a heavily marketed theatrical release that sadly performed below expectations, it’s safe to say that some of you out there may have missed this one. Fortunately for you, BLACK ADAM is now available to own on 4K UHD Blu-ray — and while the movie itself may not be that great, it makes for rocking good time on the format.
Movie Grade: B-
From our theatrical review:
“With BLACK ADAM, director Jaume Collet-Serra has crafted a solidly entertaining B-movie with smarts and skill. Not only does he adeptly layer in cinematic references with a wink and a smile, he delivers lively, large-scale action sequences that act as stepping stones to a grander universe. The film also houses an absolutely terrific performance by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, allowing him to flex his trademark muscular showmanship and combine that with character-driven appeal. And, despite a few areas left lacking, the filmmakers have found a satiating balance of serious and silly (which is never a bad thing in this genre).
When BLACK ADAM is fun, it’s a hoot. The film’s first big action set piece with Teth-Adam, set to The Rolling Stones’ “Paint It Black,” is a gas, though it recycles concepts we’ve seen in previous CBMs (a la The Flash and Quicksilver’s sequences). There’s a deliciously campy, horror-tinged shot that pays homage to RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK’s villain face-melt. Collet-Serra also harnesses the prowess of Sergio Leone’s THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY square-off, directly referencing a clip shown earlier when Teth-Adam faces down an Intergang officer. The long-running gag with Teth-Adam figuring out his catchphrase provides levity when needed.
Unfortunately, it’s not all perfect. Though they each carve out character-defining moments that place their humanity at the forefront, on the whole, members of the JSA are dealt short shrift, leaving Rothstein/ Atom Smasher, Hunkel/ Cyclone, Hall/ Hawkman and Nelson/ Dr. Fate severely underdeveloped. They frequently get lost in the shuffle, primarily utilized not solely to clean up Teth-Adam’s messes and restore balance but to fight alongside him. This is a problem given Amon has more screen time and serves a greater purpose – echoing Teth-Adam’s backstory and tying together the notion that a regular person can inspire a revolution – in both their world and in the context of this narrative than they do.
Yet what lasts beyond these blights are the ways this gem sparkles. The picture’s overarching themes – dealing with colonialism and our desperate need for heroes to speak out against tyranny during bleak times – are affecting and effectively crafted. And while superhero films are always about more than the superficial, these radical sentiments find renewed vigor.”
Video/Audio Grade: A
For all of its faults as a film, Black Adam’s visual quality on 4K UHD is undeniably spectacular. Filmed natively in 4K and featuring a stunning use of Dolby Vision and HDR10, there’s practically nothing to complain over on a technical level. Simply put, it all looks great. Costumes, skin details, hair, set dressing, etc – everything is filled with the high level of detail one would expect from the format by now. The higher resolution particularly stands out when it comes to the set design of Kahndaq. Details from stone walls, rusty handrails, and dirty streets all have a delightful extra layer of pop.
As for the aforementioned Dolby Vision and HDR10, this disc knocks it out of the park. Explosions are heavily saturated with a deep burning mixture of oranges and blacks. And for a film primarily set in a desert environment, the costumes for the JSA characters add a perfect amount of contrasting color. So, whether it’s the shine of Dr. Fate’s perpetually perfect reflective helmet or the bright reds in Atom Smasher’s classic outfit, the increased color spectrum from Dolby Vision and HDR10 makes this disc go from great to outstanding.
The Dolby Atmos and DTS-HD 5.1 audio tracks are similarly excellent, particularly when it comes to the action scenes. These scenes give side and rear channels so much to play with. Bullets, missiles, and bone-crunching punches are all fantastically mixed. The score is very booming, but never to the point of overpowering the dialogue. My only complaint is that sometimes the music was reduced in some areas leaving certain scenes to feel a little empty. This may have been an intentional decision, but besides that little hiccup, this is a very solid audio presentation.
Extras Grade: C
There are no extras featured on the 4K disc. That being said, the included 1080p Blu-ray comes with a decent amount of material to look through if you’re inclined, even if they are mostly on the short side.
Special features listed below:
- The History of Black Adam (10:08)
- Who is the Justice Society? (14:16)
- From Soul to Screen (6:09)
- A Flawed Hero (5:09)
- New Tech in an Old World (4:49)
- Taking Flight (3:32)
- Kahndaq: Designing a Nation (6:27)
- The ROCK of Eternity (5:42)
- Costumes Make the Hero (8:25)
- A New Type of Action (6:38)
Final Grade: B+
BLACK ADAM is not a great film, but it’s a fantastic 4K UHD release. There is something to be said on whether or not it’s even worth watching this film if you missed it in theaters, given the recent news of the DCEU altogether abandoning the so-called “Snyderverse” of DC films that BLACK ADAM was intended to rejuvenate. But on its own, there’s enough here for action junkies to enjoy in their fancy home theaters with a couple of drinks.
