Directed by : Jaume Collet-Serra

Written by : Adam Sztykiel, Rory Haines, Sohrab Noshirvani

Starring : Dwayne Johnson, Aldis Hodge, Noah Centineo, Sarah Shahi, Marwan Kenzari, Quintessa Swindell, Bodhi Sabongui, and Pierce Brosnan

Almost every time a new DC Film project gets announced — it’s heralded by some vague agenda of a great reset. Terms such as ‘course correction’ or ‘change in the hierarchy of power’ are often thrown around, and at the end of the day they always end on one note; horseshit

Now, this doesn’t necessarily mean that Black Adam is mediocre — it’s surprisingly the contrary — but it’s definitely not the pseudo-messianic picture it was promised by The Rock nor Warner Brothers.

With all of that said, Black Adam is an absolute treat to watch. While marred by less-than-stellar writing, and an atrociously crafted villain that looked like it came out of 2002’s Scorpion King — it still has it where it counts; great entertaining characters, propelled by entertaining action.

As expected, Dwayne Johnson is entertaining as Black Adam himself, bringing his reliable brand of charm and physique into the DC Universe. But to one’s surprise, the Justice Society — despite just being introduced — became the crowd pleaser with their fun characters. Specifically the dynamite chemistry between Aldis Hodge’s Hawkman and Pierce Brosnan’s Dr. Fate.

In-fact, Brosnan’s performance as DC’s very own Kent Nelson was so mesmerizing that fans will be coming out of this movie, clamoring for his own solo venture. Even Noah Centineo and Quintessa Swindell’s Atom Smasher and Cyclone were enjoyable to watch with the very little screen time they shared. Black Adam falters when it focuses away from Johnson and the JSA, much of the plot felt needlessly convoluted and it even has a pointless twist that adds a fourth act into an-already bloated 125-minute runtime

Black Adam isn’t going to change the fragmented state of DC’s cinematic roster. But it can entertain audiences for the most part as long as they simmer down their expectations. Especially for the end credits tease that promises great things in the future.

Black Adam is Now Playing in Theaters.