Waking in the Modern World is BLACK ADAM

 

 Jeri Jacquin

Currently in theatres from director Jaume Collet-Serra and Warner Bros. Pictures is the DC antihero is none other than BLACK ADAM.

The city of Kahndaq is being taken over by the gun toting repressors called the Intergang. Living in the city is archaeologist Adrianna Tomaz (Sarah Shahi), son Amon (Bodhi Sabongui) and brother Karim (Mohammed Amer). She is looking to obtain the Crown of Sabbac along with colleague Ishmael Gregor (Marwan Kenzari). When they are ambushed, Adrianna is close to being killed when she utters the words that awaken Teth-Adam (Dwayne Johnson).

Now her enemies are about to be in for a world of hurt because Teth-Adam does not take prisoners – literally. Trying to explain to him that it has been 5,000 years since he was last seen, the antihero tries to make sense of what is happening. It is Amon that seems to be able to reach him and explain quickly.

Government official Amanda Waller (Viola Davis) hears about Black Adam and calls in reinforcements to get him under control. First, Carter Hall aka Hawkman (Aldis Hodge), Kent Nelson aka Doctor Fate (Pierce Brosnan), Maxine Hunkel aka Cyclone (Quintessa Swindell) and Al Rothstein aka Atom Smasher (Noah Centineo) get together to discuss a plan to contain him.

In the meantime, the Intergang want what Adrianna has, the Crown of Sabbac. They want it bad enough that kidnapping Amon is the next step to getting it. Teth-Adam can not get along with the Justice Society gang as its clear he and Hawkman have serious issues. It is Doctor Fate that tries his best to make the men understand they have to work together.

It is Teth-Adam that realizes he might have more of a problem with his anger than he can control. Being put on ice might be the only way to save those he has come to care about – but it isn’t as over as everyone thinks. The world just might, once again, need Black Adam!

Johnson as Teth-Adam/Black Adam is the only reason I wanted to see this film. I enjoy what he does because it is the reason I have always gone to the movies. Being entertained is what he does and, lets face it, he does really well. From comedy to a bit of drama, he has taken his name and put it to some very good characters.

Shahi as Adrianna is not only an archeologist but a mom to an equally curious son. Together they are a force to be reckoned with. She also has the opportunity to bring the city she loves together while making sure Teth-Adam and Hawkman behave themselves. Sabongui as Amon just loves having Teth-Adam around. Getting the chance to update him on the world and know that he truly is good deep down, there is a connection between them and Sabongui makes that happen.

Kenzari as Gregor has a secret or two of his own and gives us just enough good and evil to keep us guessing. Amer as Karim is the brotherly comic relief and gives it in full measure.

Hodge as Hawkman is fine but I don’t know his back story other than he has a huge chip on his shoulder. Its hard I know going from the BMOC then dropping down to a mere-superhero up against a god. Brosnan as Dr. Fate also has a back-story, I don’t know but he does step aside when Hawkman and Teth-Adam get into it which cracked me up.

Swindell as Cyclone is cute as a button and that’s about all I get out of that story. Well, that and she obviously likes being a colorful wind that throws things. Centineo as Al is a young man who is clearly not use to working with his powers and can not get out of his own way. He’s sweet so there’s that.

Shout out to Jalon Christian who plays Teth-Adam’s son Hurut. He is a boy who understands how the world worked then and now, well done young sir!

Other cast include Djimon Hounsou as Shazam wizard, Jennifer Holland as Emilia Harcourt and Henry Winkler as Al Pratt. There is also a special moment between Black Adam and another beloved superhero! 

Now this is probably where I’m going to get blowback but (she cringes as the keyboard), I was not that impressed with the film. First of all, it is confusing and although I’m sure the comic book readers are up to speed on all this, I felt like it was just thrown at me and I was supposed to go along for the ride? Yea, well I am not made that way. I got Teth-Adams story clear enough and it was well defined and Johnson won me over with his portrayal.

Who is Dr. Fate? Where did he get Magneto’s helmet and have it dipped in gold? Who is Cyclone and what’s her deal? How did Atom Smasher figure out he can be as big as, oh, I don’t know, Ant-Man? What, for gawd’s sake, are Hawkman’s issues? Does he realize he isn’t the only superhero who has wings? Asking for a friend.

Also, if Teth-Adam says Shazam and has god-like powers, what does this do for Billy Batson’s Shazam? Sloppy seconds? Did he get the sub-dose of superpowers because he got them from the same place as Teth-Adam. More importantly, do I have to read to get these answers? See why I’m confused?

Look, I get that this film is a set up for other films but man this one took everything I had to stick with. It is quite possible that I don’t see superheroes anymore, I see destructors of cities because, seriously, you can not tell me those buildings they crash into don’t have people inside them that get hurt or die. When Hawkman is giving Teth-Adam grief about ‘killing’, I’m sitting in my seat shouting out, ‘what do you think you do dude?’.

Man, it was exhausting as the conversation in the car with my family had me asking even more questions. BLACK ADAM has its moments and that’s thanks to Johnson but it might take me a moment to get past the questions.

That being said, it was nice to see Johnson and another beloved superhero have a moment – you will see!

In the end – it is power born from rage!

 

Saturday at Comic Con Brings Action and Action Heroes

 

Jeri Jacquin

After a long night of waiting in line, and some since Friday, for Hall H on Saturday, there turned out to be a lot to be excited about.

Moderator Tiffany Smith begins the morning with SHAZAM! Fury of the Gods with the panel including Zachary Levi, David F. Sandberg, Asher Angel, Dylan Grazer, Lucy Liu and a screen appearance from the ever-delightful Helen Mirren as Hespera. Mirren made it clear, “I absolutely loved playing Hespera. She’s such a baddie and a bad-ass. And Zach, I have such a lovely time kicking the s**t out of you! Yea, pussy power!”

Levi introduces the trailer for the film by saying, “We’re all just trying to figure it out. It adds for a real great interesting bedrock of reality that you can connect to as a human being because we’re super heroes but we’re human beings.”

Next is Warner Bros. bringing out Dwayne Johnson as only they could – in his costume for the DC Comics film BLACK ADAM high above the rest of us mere mortals. Causing quite a ruckus of, he gives the death star before announcing, “Hall H, you’ve been warned. The DC Universe will never be the same again.” Well, after all, he is The Rock so I tend to think we should all listen to the man.

The panel includes Jaume Collett-Serra, Quintessa Swindell, Aldis Hodge and Noah Centineo along with Dwayne Johnson making a quick change out of his extremely tight super suit. He also makes it clear that his goal is to bring in ‘a new era in the DC universe.”

Johnson also says, “It has been a long journey, one that has been fueled with passion, with commitment and grit to push BLACK ADAM along. It has easily been over ten years as Jaume and I worked together for over five years now. The journey has been an incredible one and as many of you know I love coming to Comic Con but to be here in Hall H representing DC, DC superheroes, super villains is truly a dream come true.”

Continuing he says, “Because the dream when I started in this business many moons ago, I would come here and bring movies here and you all would be here. I would always hope people liked them and my dream and Seven Bucks Productions and to be here today to watch BLACK ADAM throw around lightening like he was passing out candy, I have to tell you it really is a dream come true. So, thank you so much for this kind of love and support.”

Of course, fans responded with enthusiasm and equal love.

Over in Ballroom 20, AMC’s INTERVIEW WITH A VAMPIRE is taking a bite out of fans even before its premiered. Moderator Damian Holbrook has the opportunity to talk about Louis played by Jacob Anderson, Lestate played by Sam Reid and Claudia played by Bailey Bass and the story through the eyes of Daniel played by Eric Bogosian.

The panel brought executive producer Matt Johnson, showrunner Rolin Jones, Designer Mara LePere-Schloop along with Anderson, Reid, Bass and Bogosian. John says, “The books are so fun and so different, it is hard to believe they are connected in that way. The Anne Rice world is going to go on for some time on AMC.”

Anderson says of being cast, “I watched the movie when I was a teen. As soon as I got the email about the audition, I got this weird feeling in my stomach. I am really excited to be part of this world as I deeply connect with Louis.”

What I am excited about is that Rolin Jones teases, “If you have read Prince Lestat, The Vampire Armand and Interview with the Vampire, you’ll see lots of nods to the material. We are trying to build a universe, and there is some witchery thrown in there as well”. I have read ALL of Anne Rice’s books and if Marius makes an appearance, I’m going to lose my mind as he is my favorite character with a rich history.   

Back in Hall H, the Netflix series THE SANDMAN proves to be another amazing move for the streaming service. Tom Sturridge stars as Dream, the younger brother of Death who has been captured by a wizard. After his escape, he goes on a quest to find his lost powers. Comic creator Neil Gaiman has brought the story to life and will be seen by all August 5^th.

The panel moderator Kari Byron included Neil Gaiman, Allan Heinberg, Tom Sturridge, Vivienne Acheampong, Boyd Holbrook, Gwendoline Christie, Joanna Constantine, Kirby Howell-Baptiste, Mason Alexander Park, Vanesu Samunyai and Patton Oswalt.

Gaiman said, “What I’m really excited about is that in less than two weeks, everyone’s going to see what we made. I’m so excited about it. I’m so proud of it.” Playing the role of Dream, Sturridge says, “I care so deeply about this piece of literature. I read and re-read the comic over and over.”

Leave it to Christie after spending years in armor in her role as Lady Brianne in the GAME OF THRONES series, she is in a different set of armor. In the role of Lucifer, she reminds the audience that at one time Lucifer was God’s favorite angel before falling.

After hundreds and hundreds of fans had spent almost 48 hours sleeping on concrete, their dedication will not be in vain. Hall H is about to erupt as Marvel Studios brings their slate. Starting with the iconic voice of Stan Lee, he says tell the audience that, “Marvel has always been and always will be a reflection of the world right outside out window.”

Moderator Ash Crossan asks Kevin Feige about WAKANDA FOREVER and are told that the film is the last Phase 4 film. Moving on to the next phase, the films ANT-MAN AND THE WASP: Quantumania, SECRET INVASION, GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 3, ECHO, LOKI Season 2 (which I have been waiting ages for!), THE MARVELS, BLADE, IRONHEART, AGATHA: Coven of Chaos, and CAPTAIN AMERICA: New World Order.

Also included in that slate are the eighteen episodes of DAREDEVIL: Born Again and THUNDERBOLTS which concludes Phase 5.

SHE-HULK: Attorney at Law has Jamila Jameel commenting on her role and character as, “She’s extremely annoying and I learned that from myself” also claiming jealousy is what motivates her. SECRET INVASION has a trailer as well with Nick Fury (minus an eye patch) talking about Skrull. Cobie Smulder as Maria Hill calls the film an exciting thriller.

ANT-MAN AND THE WASP: Quantumania is up next as Kathryn Newton, Evangeline Lilly and Paul Rudd are introduced by director Peyton Reed to kick off Phase Five. There is a trailer to get fans captivated telling a little of the upcoming story so check out the trailer as soon as its released tomorrow morning.

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 3 has James Gunn taking the Hall H stage. It is also the end of the Guardians Era. The good news is that Bill Murray will be part of the cast in some way or another. The cast gets a chance to see the first trailer and trust me when I say the cheering for Groot and Rocket was pretty cool.

It is the drums and vocals of Baba Maal that lead the audience cheering for BLACK PANTHER: Wakanda Forever. Ryan Coogler, director of the film, has the audience sending out cheers as he acknowledges the late Chadwick Boseman and his “enormous hands.” Bringing out Lupita Nyong’o, Letitia Wright, Danai Gurira, Florence Kasuma and Winston Duke he also includes newcomers Tenoch Huerta and Dominique Thorne.

Huerta has a chance to speak about being in the film and says, “I come from the hood. Without inclusion, I wouldn’t be here. By the way, Namor is amazing!”.

What a way to end Hall H for the evening and very difficult for Kevin Smith to follow with. Those that left, walked away very tired but very happy with what they have seen and the reason for Comic Con in the first place – the shared experience.

One more day folks!