Aquaman (film)
2018
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Apr 5, 2019 · In 14-year-old Billy Batson's case, all he needs to do is shout out one word to transform into the adult superhero Shazam. Still a kid at heart, Shazam revels in the new version of himself by ...
- (418)
- David F. Sandberg
- PG-13
- Zachary Levi
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Apr 5, 2019 · Any lifelong fan of superheroes has at one point wanted to be one—to suddenly have superpowers, to fight evil, to do what ordinary humans can’t do. It’s a fantasy that’s directly entertained by “Shazam!”, as director David F. Sandberg puts the premise of “Big” into the DC Cinematic Universe as it continues to expand and lighten up.
- Zachary Levi was born to play the title role in DC's sweetest movie in years.
- Every Modern DC Movie Review
- Verdict
By Jim Vejvoda
Updated: Apr 21, 2020 7:01 am
Posted: Apr 4, 2019 10:54 pm
This spoiler-free review was originally published March 23. It's being republished now that Shazam! is in theaters.
Shazam! is DC’s most joyful and sweet movie since the days of Christopher Reeve’s Superman, a funny yet earnest coming-of-age story about a boy who learns that, well, with great power comes great responsibility. So obviously, Shazam! doesn’t reinvent the superhero movie, but it’s an undeniably fun time that left me wanting more big-screen adventures with these charming characters.
Where Wonder Woman bore the weight of expectations as the first major modern female superhero film and Aquaman had a load of world-building (and redemption) to do, Shazam! is saddled with no such heavy, external burdens. It’s thus able to be as carefree as a child, to just have fun despite having to inevitably grow up and confront some very adult concerns along the way. Namely, how streetwise orphan Billy Batson must accept responsibility for his behavior if he’s going to prove truly worthy of the magical gifts bestowed upon him.
They make for a great buddy act, with each — as real friends or brothers might — complementing the other’s strengths while also schooling them on their weaknesses. For those unfamiliar with Levi’s past work, Shazam! will prove a revelation (and potentially a very hot ticket to bigger stardom for the former Chuck lead). Levi/Shazam’s arrival is the point where the movie firmly clicks into place after some awkwardly sluggish sections that feel perfunctory in setting up Billy’s life and central conflict. But the chemistry of its leads and the earnestness of its “Big but with superheroes” premise definitely papers over the weaker areas.
This isn’t an action movie per se but a coming-of-age comedy with some action in it. There are some very funny, very knowing superhero moments to be had as Billy/Shazam, documented by Freddie, discovers the range of his newfound powers. These are the scenes where the movie shines brightest, poking fun at all the superhero movie tropes even if nothing much of consequence happens. But once Billy/Shazam realizes he can use his powers for more than just cheap tricks, his true hero’s journey begins.
Mark Strong wisely underplays his role as the villainous Dr. Thaddeus Sivana, and his character has a sympathetic, relatable motivation for his fall from grace, but Sivana’s master plan proves underwhelming. While it’s appreciated that there wasn’t an overtly (and overdone) “save the world” plot in play here, Sivana is basically a villain from a Mummy movie, right down to his monstrous minions, whose retrograde visual effects quality is almost forgivable given the throwback nature of the movie. Sivana serves his purpose (and the film’s larger thematic point) as Billy’s foil well enough, but you’ll likely be hard-pressed to recall him when mulling the great comic book movie supervillains.
Shazam! is as liberated a comic book movie for DC as Deadpool was for Fox-Marvel, not in the latter’s profanely meta way (though Shazam! very cheekily acknowledges its place in the DC film universe established with Man of Steel) but in a similarly hilarious, lovable, and oddly sweet manner. The movie makes you understand why Shazam — while never an icon on the level of Superman, Batman, or Wonder Woman — has endured for eight decades. The film relishes in the wish fulfillment appeal its mythos offers, drawing particularly from Geoff Johns’ New 52 revamp but also dipping into much older DC Comics classics for some very fun, geeky moments of fan service.
Shazam! is a lot of fun and it further proves how, in the wake of the success of Wonder Woman and Aquaman, DC’s movie future is indeed bright. Zachary Levi was born to play this superpowered man-child, delivering lots of laughs alongside sarcastic but amiable co-star Jack Dylan Grazer. After an awkward and obligatory opening, the latter three quart...
Shazam! is a thoroughly entertaining comic book film that never forgets the fun. Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/5 | Aug 18, 2022. Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review. It's a tonic to the...
Mar 15, 2023 · Shazam! Fury of the Gods may not pull the heartstrings like its predecessor, but there’s no shortage of the chaotic good humor and energetic performances that put Billy Batson and the Shazamily...
Apr 5, 2019 · We all have a superhero inside us, it just takes a bit of magic to bring it out. In Billy Batson’s (Asher Angel) case, by shouting out one word—SHAZAM!—this streetwise 14-year-old foster kid can turn into the adult Super Hero Shazam (Zachary Levi), courtesy of an ancient wizard.
Mar 23, 2019 · The most kid-friendly DC movie so far, Shazam! is thoroughly entertaining. But much like its central character, a 14-year-old boy able to transform himself into a superhero by uttering the...
