Outside of the comic book world, Black Adam is not one of DC Comics' most popular heroes, which is why he is referred to as an anti hero. Add to that the fact that he is played by Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. The writing team of Adam Sztykiel (Rampage) and Rory Haines/Sorab Noshirvani worked hard to add something new to the DC film branch, which is desperately trying to keep up with its arch nemesis Marvel.

Shazam, a surprise hit for DC, demonstrated that there is an audience for more fun films than the typical good vs evil type of film. This was backed up by Aquaman, but Black Adam is supposed to be a man at a crossroads. He's attempting to reconcile his past in this new world to which he's been summoned.

The first step in defining Black Adam is to avoid comparing him to the DC heavyweights Batman and Superman. These two giants are more serious and have a firm hold on the Superhero Hall of Fame. Wonder Woman is currently regaining her place in the top five.

By casting The Rock in the lead role of Black Adam, the audience is already aware that the film's mission is not to tell a deep story set in a vital part of the DC universe such as Gotham. This film is for fans who want an action-packed adventure delivered by superheroes. The film can feel sloppy and dated at times, but it still packs a punch.

Teth Adam (Dwayne Johnson) is reawakened and transported to the present day. He's a man encountering new enemies, who are unaware that he's no ordinary man. His power wreaks havoc, and Amanda Waller (Viola Davis) turns to the Justice Society rather than the Justice League to stop him.

The Justice Society is made up of Hawkman (Aldis Hodge,One Night in Miami), Dr. Fate (Pierce Brosnan), Cyclone (Quintessa Swindell) and Atom Smasher ( Noah Centineo ,To All The Boys: Always and Forever). Side note (The JSA is a legacy group where veteran superheroes teach teach and mentor the next generation of heroes)

Black Adam manages to define the group's goal better than Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn, which had a much larger roster of the JSA. The scenes between Dr. Fate and Hawkman are among the best in the film. The friendship is genuine, and it's clear that the two actors liked each other off-screen as well.

There's also some hilarious banter between Centineo and Hodge. Atom Smasher is still learning how to use his power, which causes chaos at times. Swindell is also very good at Cyclone. They're badass and intelligent all at the same time. A fantastic role model for children who identify as LGBTQIA+.

Slow motion was used to highlight the action by director Jaume Collet-Serra (The Commuter), which is one of his specialties. The action is also fantastic when Black Adam and the JSA interact, laying the groundwork for a big epic battle later on.

The costumes are another important aspect of making superhero movies. Kurt and Bart (The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2) did an excellent job, particularly with Hawkman's wings. The suits were a modern take on these iconic characters, and they looked fantastic on the big screen.

It is critical to remember who The Rock is. He's a movie star. He makes films that are sure to please the masses. This obsession with transforming him into Christian Bale must end. Johnson's goal is to make a film that appeals to a broad audience, and Black Adam does just that. There is room in superhero stories for all kinds of stories, including those that begin with action and progress to a story. Black Adam is an excellent way for DC to introduce lesser-known characters and establish a new franchise. If the goal is to compete with Marvel, it must be able to rely on newer characters with stars leading these films, and it doesn't get much bigger than Johnson.

Black Adam was never meant to compete with those other films, but rather to carve out new chapters. Also, Johnson did something that DC has been lacking: a film with a Black lead. His Samoan and Black ancestry fills in the blanks. He also had an age and ethnically diverse cast. Hodge is African American, Brosman is Irish but 69, Centineo is 26 years old, Swindell is bi-racial and non-binary, Mohammed Amer is Palestinian/Muslim, and Sarah Shahi is Persian. A truly diverse cast came together to make a fun film that didn't check any boxes.

In these challenging  times, Black Adam is a must-see for anyone who goes to the cinema just to be entertained.