Year: 2019
Director: David F. Sandberg
Starring: Zachary Levi, Asher Angel, Mark Strong, Jack Dylan Grazer, and Djimon Hounsou
Tagline: Just Say the Word
Starring: Zachary Levi, Asher Angel, Mark Strong, Jack Dylan Grazer, and Djimon Hounsou
Tagline: Just Say the Word
Synopsis: Orphaned 14-year-old Billy Batson finds himself thrust into the world of superheroes when a wizard gives him superpowers whenever he says the name "Shazam."
Review
When I saw the first trailers for Shazam! I wasn't sure what to expect. It seemed like it could possibly be fun. The premise of a 14-year-old finding himself in the body of a superpowered adult is intriguing, but it could also be super annoying.
I'm pleased to report that Shazam! is super fun and a welcome new take on the superhero genre.
The key to the film is Zachary Levi, who portrays Shazam (well, "Captain Marvel" ... but that's complicated due to all sorts of legal reasons and that other comic book studio). He basically has to portray a 14-year-old, but what it would be like to be 14 in a grown up body. Levi nails it. He's likable and charismatic with the right amount of naivete. Also perfect is Asher Angel, who portrays Billy Batson in his normal form.
Mark Strong does a great job as the villain. We get as much villain backstory in Shazam! as we do hero backstory. Knowing Dr. Sivana's backstory makes him a much more intriguing (and threatening) villain.
Shazam! is very funny, especially as Billy is trying to figure out his new powers. He has no idea what he's doing and Freddy isn't the best of coaches.
It was also fun to see how the movie tied into the larger DC universe. Shazam and these characters inhabit the same world as Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, and Aquaman. The story doesn't make a big deal out of that. It's not a huge plot point. But there's just enough of it to tease possible future crossovers.
But for as funny as the movie is, where it really shines is in the relationships; they are the heart of the story. Billy is an abandoned kid looking for his mom. Instead, he finds himself in yet another foster home. It takes becoming a superhero to teach him what matters most in life.
The film is rated PG-13 and is more intense than I was expecting. The seven deadly sin monsters are quite creepy and violent. There was also a fair amount of swearing, mostly the S-word. And a character gives "the finger" to a few characters. I'd say this one is definitely not for the younger kids.
Shazam! is another example of DC getting its act together and rolling out films that are true to their roots and also fun. Shazam! is fun. It's the wish-fulfillment side of superheroes. And it's about finding the hero within yourself. Be sure to stay through the credits. There's a mid-credits stinger (which, like me, you may need to Google to understand) and a very funny post-credits scene.
*** Spoiler Section ***
I'm glad I didn't know anything about Shazam/Captain Marvel going into the film. It made the climax so much more rewarding. There was foreshadowing of course, so it wasn't a complete surprise. But not knowing exactly how things would play out to win the final fight made it more fun.
As for Shazam the wizard? Yeah, he's a pretty terrible recruiter. Not very good at working with kids, motivating improvement, or explaining things.
Originally, Henry Cavill (Superman) was supposed to make an actual cameo. But his schedule didn't work for when they needed to film. I think it is actually funnier to have Superman show up but not see his face or hear him say anything.
I'm pleased to report that Shazam! is super fun and a welcome new take on the superhero genre.
The key to the film is Zachary Levi, who portrays Shazam (well, "Captain Marvel" ... but that's complicated due to all sorts of legal reasons and that other comic book studio). He basically has to portray a 14-year-old, but what it would be like to be 14 in a grown up body. Levi nails it. He's likable and charismatic with the right amount of naivete. Also perfect is Asher Angel, who portrays Billy Batson in his normal form.
Mark Strong does a great job as the villain. We get as much villain backstory in Shazam! as we do hero backstory. Knowing Dr. Sivana's backstory makes him a much more intriguing (and threatening) villain.
Shazam! is very funny, especially as Billy is trying to figure out his new powers. He has no idea what he's doing and Freddy isn't the best of coaches.
It was also fun to see how the movie tied into the larger DC universe. Shazam and these characters inhabit the same world as Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, and Aquaman. The story doesn't make a big deal out of that. It's not a huge plot point. But there's just enough of it to tease possible future crossovers.
But for as funny as the movie is, where it really shines is in the relationships; they are the heart of the story. Billy is an abandoned kid looking for his mom. Instead, he finds himself in yet another foster home. It takes becoming a superhero to teach him what matters most in life.
The film is rated PG-13 and is more intense than I was expecting. The seven deadly sin monsters are quite creepy and violent. There was also a fair amount of swearing, mostly the S-word. And a character gives "the finger" to a few characters. I'd say this one is definitely not for the younger kids.
Shazam! is another example of DC getting its act together and rolling out films that are true to their roots and also fun. Shazam! is fun. It's the wish-fulfillment side of superheroes. And it's about finding the hero within yourself. Be sure to stay through the credits. There's a mid-credits stinger (which, like me, you may need to Google to understand) and a very funny post-credits scene.
*** Spoiler Section ***
I'm glad I didn't know anything about Shazam/Captain Marvel going into the film. It made the climax so much more rewarding. There was foreshadowing of course, so it wasn't a complete surprise. But not knowing exactly how things would play out to win the final fight made it more fun.
As for Shazam the wizard? Yeah, he's a pretty terrible recruiter. Not very good at working with kids, motivating improvement, or explaining things.
Originally, Henry Cavill (Superman) was supposed to make an actual cameo. But his schedule didn't work for when they needed to film. I think it is actually funnier to have Superman show up but not see his face or hear him say anything.
Quotable Quotes
- "Hey, what's up? I'm a superhero." -- Shazam
- "Say my name!" "Billy!" "Not that name." -- Shazam and his foster siblings
- "Are you making some, like, big, evil-guy speech right now or something? You're like a mile away from me and there's traffic and cars and stuff. All I see is mouth moving." -- Shazam to Dr. Sivana
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