So, I figured Black Adam, the latest entry into DC’s expanding cinematic universe, would be something of a layup, especially after The Rock talked it up so much and shared the grueling training regiment he put himself through to get into hero shape. So when the digital version dropped on Kaleidescape just 30 days after its cinematic release, I grabbed it and planned a family movie night.

But as much as I expected—and even wanted—to enjoy Black Adam, the movie just didn’t work for me. So much of it felt like ripoffs from what other movies had already done. The opening and even the city name of Khandaq felt like Wakanda from Black Panther. Khandaq has a special, powerful, and rare mineral called “eternium,” which, again, was like Panther’s vibranium (or even Avatar’s “unobtanium”). Dr. Fate (Pierce Brosnan) and his powers felt like things we’ve already seen better from Dr. Strange. The Justice Society has a campus along with a hidden super-jet that is straight out of X-Men. Plus we’ve already had a much more fun movie about Shazam called Shazam!

Now, I can forgive some cinematic borrowing. For all I know, Black Adam’s comic-book origins predate all of these other films. But it feels like in its quest to create a cohesive cinematic world and tie in different heroes and stories, DC has forgotten that the story also needs to be interesting, entertaining, and make sense for those new to the franchise trying to follow along. There were just too many moments where I was wondering, “Wait. Why is this happening?” or, “Who is that guy?” 

DC does its best to shoehorn in some connection to its bigger universe, with the walls of young Amon’s (Bodhi Sabongui) room covered with posters and paraphernalia of other DC stars like Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, and Aquaman. (Plus, there is a mid-credits scene that places Black Adam right in the heart of the DC heroes.) Ultimately, the film seems most interested in just getting to the next big effects-laden fight scene where multiple heroes from the Justice Society battle Black Adam, this international mercenary group called the Intergang, or otherworldly superbeings, flying around, smashing and destroying things while trying to find and take control of the Crown of Sabbac, a 23-pound crown made from pure eternium that gives the wearer great power. To be fair, the battles are cool, especially when they go into ultra-slo-mo to show how Black Adam “sees” things (again, similar to the Quicksilver effect from the X-Men films). 

Beyond any of that, though, what Black Adam is really missing is any fun and heart, the key ingredients Kevin Feige and Marvel have learned to include in just the right amounts. In trying to make him this dark antihero who kills his enemies—sometimes in manners worthy of Mortal Kombat or reminiscent of the opening-the-ark scene from Raiders of the Lost Ark—instead of bringing them in to face justice, they robbed The Rock of any chance to be The Rock. Sure, we get a Johnson looking as big and menacing as ever, but any CGI’d strong man could have filled the suit.

Fortunately, for home theater owners, Black Adam looks and sounds great. Shot on Arri at 4.5K resolution, the home transfer is taken from a 4K digital intermediate, and images look clean, polished, and terrific throughout. Closeups have incredibly sharp detail and clarity, showing single strands of hair, whiskers, and all the pores in actors’ faces, the bulging veins in The Rock’s head, cracks and texture in rocks, stones, and buildings, or the finest details in clothing, like the etchings in Black Adam’s suit. Though this ultra-clarity and detail comes at the expense of some of the effects and environments, revealing their CGI roots. 

The HDR effects are also abundant and on frequent display during the many fight scenes and make for some stunning visuals. There is glowing red-orange molten fire and vibrant blossoming explosions, bright eye-searing blue-white electrical bolts, the glinting gold from Hawkman’s (Aldis Hodge) suit, along with bright glistening beads of sweat. There are bright flashlights shining in darkened caves, sunlight streaming into darkened rooms, and a “tour” through Khandaq lit up at night. Visually, Black Adam is a treat to watch, and it will push your projector’s light output and tone mapping to its limits.

Equally impressive is the Dolby TrueHD Atmos soundtrack, which immerses you in ways both subtle and bombastic. In some of the external scenes, your listening room will transform into the mountains of Khandaq with the sounds of picks hammering away at rock around you, or you’ll hear the echo of voices, the rumbling and chatter of crowds, or the rustle of wind and sounds of birds. 

And when the action kicks in, so do the sound and volume. You’ll hear Black Adam whooshing off and out of the room, Hawkman and Intergang bikes flying and swooping overhead, Cyclone (Quintessa Swindell) swirling wind and debris all around, Dr. Fate’s voice booming overhead, things falling down—or flying up—into the ceiling, plus all manner of damage and destruction as things are hurled and smashed all around the room. And when something explodes, enemies collide, Black Adam charges through a wall, or the Justice Society jet roars past, the bass kicks in, energizing the room with low-frequency effects you’ll feel. 

Black Adam currently has an 89% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes so clearly it resonated with many viewers. And even if you only watch the film once, you’ll likely turn to some of the six pre-bookmarked Kaleidescape scenes in order to show off your system when guests come over, wowing them with the stunning visuals and immersive audio. Plus, with the film still in theaters, you can enjoy it in the highest quality in the comfort of your own home theater via the Kaleidescape download a full 45-days before the 4K disc comes out early next year.