“Black Adam” Early Reactions: Dwayne Johnson Delivers a Game-Changer for the DCEU
Black Adam has arrived, and the DCEU won’t be the same again. Dwayne Johnson’s titular antihero had its world premiere last night in New York City, and the first reactions to his long-awaited debut as the ancient, unyielding superhero arrive with him. The Rock has been preparing for the role for ten years, and it sounds as if the wait was worth it.
A quick synopsis for you Black Adam freshmen: The film features Johnson as the titular, ancient antihero—born a slave, executed and resurrected by his son’s sacrifice, Black Adam views his immense powers as a curse. This is an antihero as powerful as any member of the Justice League (or the Justice Society, who we’ll get to in a minute), possibly even more so. What’s more, he’s angry. Awoken after 5,000 years of slumber, Black Adam is the type of guy who the authorities, and the bad guys, become immediately aware of and want to control or destroy. Good luck with that. Eventually, Black Adam encounters the aforementioned Justice Society—Doctor Fate (Pierce Brosnan), Hawkman (Aldis Hodge), Cyclone (Quintessa Swindell), and Atom Smasher (Noah Centineo). They want Black Adam to play by the rules, but where (and when) he’s from, there are no rules, only the brutal hand of justice.
Without further ado, let’s check out the early reactions below:
.@TheRock is terrific in #BlackAdam, which includes a hearty amount of real world touchstones (most affecting is it reinforces the need for heroes in bleak times). Director Juame Collet-Serra lays out building blocks for a larger, grand universe. Action is lively & BIG in scale. pic.twitter.com/pDBkSHRDrI
— My Scary Name *is* Courtney Howard (@Lulamaybelle) October 13, 2022
#BlackAdam is a game-changer!! This is the #DCComics movie I’ve been waiting for & it did not disappoint. @TheRock is electrifyingly brutal as Black Adam! This is what I wanted Black Adam to be. The action in the film is non-stop & seeing the #JSA on the big screen was a thrill! pic.twitter.com/NigTxsfmd7
— Joseph Deckelmeier #BlackLivesMatter (@Joelluminerdi) October 13, 2022
Black Adam is everything that I hoped it would be and more. A Snyder-esque antihero spectacle that delivers big action and impressive set pieces. Dwayne Johnson transforms into Black Adam, a role that he was born to play. Centineo & Swindell are so damn fun to watch. #BlackAdam pic.twitter.com/V1tY0liyph
— Scott Menzel (@ScottDMenzel) October 13, 2022
#BlackAdam is DC’s most action-packed film to date. It’s a non-stop thrill ride that is all about spectacle, and it knows it. Ther3 is barely anytime to breath, or even talk. @TheRock is a perfect Black Adam, plus Pierce Brosnon is a standout. The film will leave fans buzzing! pic.twitter.com/HxCYYNw71w
— Ben Rolph / TheDCTVshow @LFF (@TheDCTVshow) October 13, 2022
Epic on Every Level#blackadam pic.twitter.com/W9L4WkEISL
— Paul McGuire Grimes (@PaulsMovieTrip) October 13, 2022
have seen #BlackAdam. @TheRock is fantastic as Black Adam. He spent 10 years getting ready for this role and he literally kills anyone and everyone in his way and I loved that he didn’t pull back on who Black Adam is. Left the theater wanting to see the sequel immediately. pic.twitter.com/oLQc9lg7KR
— Steven Weintraub (@colliderfrosty) October 13, 2022
DC’s #BlackAdam ROCKS! Tons of action, characters you’re instantly invested in & terrific pacing. Dwayne Johnson finds a great balance in being menacing & badass, but also empathetic. Especially loved Aldis Hodge’s Hawkman & Pierce Brosnan’s Doctor Fate. More JSA movies please! pic.twitter.com/YSCco9zYA3
— Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) October 13, 2022
#BlackAdam is built on some epic, non-stop action. It made me want a sequel with a smoother story immediately.
When it moves, it’s a straight shot of adrenaline. The characters are dope, especially Teth-Adam and Doctor Fate. It’s a bad-ass film. pic.twitter.com/XeMFgcB3OG
— BD (@BrandonDavisBD) October 13, 2022
#BlackAdam kicks off the #DCEU’s new era in a big way! @TheRock electrifies as #BlackAdam & is absolutely brutal in the best of ways! This is some of the best action we’ve seen n the #DCEU. @AldisHodge @PierceBrosnan Quintessa Swindell, & @noahcent are cast perfectly as the #JSA pic.twitter.com/xa9h361dvX
— The Illuminerdi (@The_Illuminerdi) October 13, 2022
I have seen #BlackAdam! This was one of my most anticipated films of the year, and it did not disappoint. The action sequences were incredible, especially the ones with the JSA. The Rock crushes it as Black Adam. The film’s end left me with high hopes for the future of the DCEU. pic.twitter.com/vd0Zy35lWT
— Dorian Parks (@DorianParksnRec) October 13, 2022
Black Adam opens wide on October 21.
For more on Black Adam, check out these stories:
New “Black Adam” Images Showcase Dwayne Johnson’s Thunderous Arrival to the DCEU
New “Black Adam” Teaser Opens With a Nod to Batman, Superman & More
Second “Black Adam” Trailer Reveals Dwayne Johnson’s Cursed Superhero
Featured image: Caption: DWAYNE JOHNSON as Black Adam in New Line Cinema’s action adventure “BLACK ADAM,” a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures
