We all have a superhero inside us, it just takes a bit of magic to bring it out. In Billy Batson’s case, by shouting out one word – SHAZAM! – this streetwise fourteen-year-old foster kid can turn into the adult superhero Shazam.
Recalling back to the “Road Runner” cartoons and “The Flash” series, Warner Bros. and DC Comics have released their seventh feature film from the DC Extended Universe. Marking his first superhero film, director David F. Sandberg steps up his game to helm this exciting superhero spin-off from 2017’s “Justice League.” He was widely known for directing “Annabelle: Creation” which is part of “The Conjuring” universe. “Shazam!” stars Zachery Levi (“Chuck,” “Tangled”) as the titular role as a teenager-turned-superhero Billy Batson who harnesses magical powers bestowed on him by an ancient wizard.
In this latest entry of the DC Universe, Billy Batson (portrayed by Asher Angel and Zachary Levi in superhero form) is set to move into his new family’s home with five other foster kids. When he finds himself transported into an ancient world where an ancient wizard transforms him into an adult with superheroes, he must learn to use them responsibly in order to prevent the obsessive Dr. Thaddeus Sivana (Mark Strong) from taking his powers away and commit villainous crimes in the city.
Zachary Levi plays the superhero version of Billy. He did a fabulous job with his role of Chuck from the show “Chuck” and Flynn Rider from Disney’s animated film “Tangled,” here, Levi does a great job with the role, nailing both the physicality and humor. Sure, he can be immature and childish at all times, but Levi plays it perfectly. With the CGI and special effects the filmmakers used for his Shazam role, the filmmakers did a perfect job of giving the looks and personality for Levi. Not to mention Mark Strong and his villainous Dr. Thaddeus Sivana character, he really fits the bit on playing the role as a bad guy that was a reference from the James Bond films and Indiana Jones series.
Based on the creation of DC’s Captain Marvel (not to be confused with the Marvel film starring Brie Larson) and the 1941 black-and-white film “Adventures of Captain Marvel,” “Shazam!” provides unique storytelling with a big boom and a degree of excitement and fanfare. It delivers a stunning turn of events that became a nod to the “Superman” films including the classics and the DCEU films. Even the movie style and the Shazam character matches the resemblance from the “The Flash” television series. Let’s not forget about the action which is vibrant and so are the producers and editors who always make it easy to tell what is happening in the scene.
However, the first ten-to-fifteen minutes of the film put me off and were somewhat confusing because the setting of the ancient world didn’t offer any clues or explainable knowledge as to why or how everything happens. I really didn’t enjoy parts of Mark Strong’s performance as he seems to be too cheesy to digest the action and scenes centering on him.
Aside from Zachary Levi himself, I thoroughly enjoyed the young cast, consisting of Jack Dylan Grazer (2017’s “IT”), Grace Fulton, Ian Chen, Faithe Herman, and Jovan Armand. They all did a terrific job of keeping up the pace on the acting and the comedy. The young cast also plays the role of the story’s dynamics.
Over the course of the film, I really enjoyed the Freddy character, portrayed by Jack Dylan Grazer, as he steals the show as a supporting character and a guide to the Billy/Shazam character. He also gives important advice by giving him a great message about the importance of using the gifts you have been given responsibly (similar to Spider-Man), rehashing Stan Lee’s words, “With great power comes great responsibility.”
Also returning from another film that was part of the DC Extended Universe is Djimon Hounsou who played as Fisherman King in 2018’s “Aquaman.” He provides some sort of a dark, deeper, and serious tones for his character just like he did when he encountered Arthur Curry/Aquaman.
Despite being a superhero film, “Shazam!” is a story about a kid who is desperately searching for his old family to get back together, but must learn to accept his new, unexpected foster family no matter what.
When it comes down to it, “Shazam!” is a great time at the theater. The sounds of people’s laughter just grew louder and louder after the cast delivered the punchlines and the funny dialogue. It is a fun, hilarious movie with heartfelt moments for kids and teenagers. It would be a tough decision to decide which movie to watch for your own amusement. I really wanted to enjoy this movie, but the “oohs, “aahs,” and “wows” are missing right there. If you want to head over to the movie theater, put up a “proceed with caution” sign.
Now playing in theaters everywhere
