Black Adam 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review

The 4K UHD video presentation of "Black Adam" is an exemplary showcase of high-grade visual quality. Presented in its native 2.39:1 aspect ratio with AVC encoding, the transfer benefits significantly from the 4K resolution, superb HDR10, and Dolby Vision enhancements. Colors, especially the neon blues, yellows, and reds, stand out with incredible vibrancy and saturation, creating a visually striking image that overshadows the 1080p Blu-ray counterpart. The rich desert landscapes, rendered in sepia and earth tones, show finely nuanced color gradations without any banding issues. Saturated hues, deep blacks, and bright highlights, such as molten lava and fiery explosions, are Roderick Davis clear.

The image clarity is elevated by a detailed 2160p transfer that beautifully captures nuances like facial features, costume textures, and the ruggedness of both characters and environments. The high dynamic range (HDR) application further amplifies the depth and dimensionality of the visuals. Blacks are inky while avoiding crush, and brighter areas maintain their detail without blooming. Even in complex scenes involving mystical energies or explosions, the image remains free from compression artifacts or blocking. The CGI elements, though slightly softened in places, integrate seamlessly enough into the live-action, emphasizing a cohesive look throughout most of the film.

Details are pristinely preserved, from the grained textures of ancient stone to the intricate patterns on superhero costumes. Enhanced by dynamic contrast and superior color reproduction, the Dolby Vision HDR grade ensures that both shadows and highlights are vividly presented without appearing washed out. This transfer stands out as a benchmark for demo material, with perfect encoding on a dual-layered BD-66 disc ensuring a clean image devoid of noise or artifacts. Overall, "Black Adam" in 4K UHD offers a captivating visual experience that merits multiple viewings purely for the technical excellence displayed.

The audio presentation of the "Black Adam" 4K UHD Blu-Ray is a testament to the capabilities of Dolby Atmos, creating an immersive and robust soundstage. The mix excellently utilizes the Dolby TrueHD 7.1 Master Audio track for receivers that do not support Atmos, ensuring widespread compatibility. The Atmos mix is highly engaging, with significant use of the height channels during aerial sequences and a well-balanced sound spectrum across the front, center, sides, and rears. Dialogues are clear and easily understood, enhanced by the deep, commanding voice of Dwayne Johnson. While there is a slight underperformance noticed in the LFE channel, the subwoofer delivers mid-range bass that is solid, if not exceptionally deep.

Throughout "Black Adam," the surround channels are persistently active, capturing the dynamism of the action-packed sequences. Be it missiles, gunshots, or debris falling, the vertical and horizontal rival channels ensure continuous auditory stimulation. The film’s score by Lorne Balfe further elevates the experience, contributing superheroic melodies that complement the action on screen. Although noticeable at certain moments, the bass levels could benefit from more punch; however, the overall effect remains impressive. Optional English (SDH) subtitles and foreign dialogue localized subtitles enhance accessibility across diverse audiences. Warner also prudently includes a redundant Dolby Digital 5.1 track for additional compatibility.

This near demo-worthy audio experience in "Black Adam" encapsulates the essence of an action movie soundscape, achieving a seamless blend of vocal clarity and ambient backgrounds. Even in quieter scenes, there remains a sense of presence that keeps all speaker channels engaged. Despite potential differences in individual setups, viewers can expect an almost continuous aural assault that stays true to the thrilling expectations associated with blockbuster superhero films. Whether it’s monolithic explosions or the subtleties of dialogue, "Black Adam" ensures that home theater enthusiasts will find the experience well worth their audio investment.

The Black Adam 4K UHD Blu-ray offers a well-rounded selection of extras exclusively on the Blu-ray disc. These featurettes encompass a thorough exploration of the film's creation, providing both promotional and insightful behind-the-scenes content. Although each featurette is relatively brief, collectively they offer valuable insights into various aspects of the film, from the history and evolution of Black Adam to detailed discussions on set design, costumes, and special effects. The primary focus is on Black Adam's comic origins, character development, technical innovations in filmmaking, and the elaborate design of its world and characters—providing a comprehensive look at the film's creative process.

Extras included in this disc:

• The History of Black Adam: Overview of the title character's history in comics.
• Who Is The Justice Society?: An exploration of the Justice Society's printed roots.
• From Soul to Screen: Behind-the-scenes journey to bring Black Adam to film.
• Black Adam: A Flawed Hero: Interviews on the character's strengths and weaknesses.
• Black Adam: New Tech in an Old World: Discussion on the film’s ambitious scope and design.
• Black Adam: Taking Flight: Special effects of aerial sequences.
• Kahndaq: Designing a Nation: Design and importance of the main city.
• The Rock of Eternity: Insight into ancient languages and lore.
• Costumes Make the Hero: Showcase of unique costume designs.
• Black Adam: A New Type of Action: Overview of action scenes and destruction.

"Black Adam" navigates a mixed terrain in the DC Extended Universe, aligning closely with mid-1990s aesthetics but stumbling over its own weighty expectations. Dwayne Johnson reprises his role as Teth Adam with remarkable physical embodiment; however, his portrayal falls flat, undermined by a sanitized, overly humanized script. Despite the film’s attempt to present a more complex anti-hero, it pivots uneasily between gritty violence and unwarranted sympathy, diluting the dark essence of its comic counterpart. Surrounding roles like Pierce Brosnan's scene-stealing Dr. Fate and Aldis Hodge's stoic Hawkman offer a stark contrast, delivering performances that momentarily lift the film from its predictable narrative mire.

Plot-wise, the film is cluttered with an overload of expository content and a convoluted storyline. Set in the fictional country of Kahndaq, the tale unfolds with a tiresome backstory involving magical crowns and ancient curses. The modern tale features Teth Adam's resurrection amidst the tyranny of Intergang, which mines Eternium – another generic super-metal – paralleling Black Panther's vibranium narrative without its finesse. Action sequences, though plentiful and visually stimulating, suffer from excessive CGI, which at times disrupts immersion rather than enhancing it. The provision of a Justice Society team comprising Hawkman, Dr. Fate, Cyclone, and Atom Smasher injects some variety but often distracts from the main arc due to underdeveloped characters and clichéd dialogue.

From an audiovisual standpoint, the 4K UHD presentation stands out as one of the film's primary strengths. The 2.39:1 framed image boasts deeply saturated colors and exceptional detail that vividly capture the Middle Eastern-inspired setting. Despite some lackluster CGI moments, the transfer excels in showcasing fine details and cultivating an immersive viewing experience with rich HDR application. Ultimately, "Black Adam" may not revolutionize the genre but serves as an engaging enough popcorn flick complemented by superior visual quality on 4K UHD Blu-ray.

Jaume Collet-Serra's Black Adam, while touted as a passion project for Dwayne Johnson, tends to falter under the weight of an underdeveloped script and flat direction. The film showcases several common pitfalls seen in recent comic book movies, including an overly dark tone, an overcrowded narrative, and inconsistent pacing. Despite these shortcomings, the 4K UHD Blu-ray release excels with impeccable video quality and a rich Dolby Vision HDR transfer that truly enhances the viewing experience. Some CGI effects may appear subpar, but overall, the visual presentation remains a highlight. Audio-wise, the English Dolby Atmos track is generally impactful but slightly lacks the immersive punch expected in all sequences.

Despite critical issues plaguing its narrative structure, Black Adam still boasts moments of visual flair and technical achievements. The movie tries to differentiate itself by presenting glimpses of intricate cultural conflicts, although this is overshadowed by its overall disjointed execution. Fans of Dwayne Johnson and the character may find solace in the brief bright spots and well-executed action sequences that the film offers. The Ultra HD Blu-ray also presents a well-rounded collection of bonus features, including short but informative content that appeals to die-hard fans. This supplemental set enhances the overall package, making it a reasonable purchase for enthusiasts.

As I said, Black Adam is a generic and fairly middling superhero film that would have been better off in the '90s before the era of highly serialized world-building in comic book movies. It’s fun enough, slightly cheesy, and completely forgettable. And once more, that’s not necessarily a bad thing after being inundated with the "NEXT PRODUCT!” mentality that Disney/Marvel has championed. The 4K UHD disc is a stellar release though, with an excellent Atmos track and killer image quality. It's still fun enough for a popcorn watch in my humble opinion.

Recommendation: Popcorn Watch