Shazam!: Film Review

Synopsis

Shazam! follows the story of Billy Batson (Asher Angel), a rebellious orphan recently moved into a group home, and his alter ego Shazam (Zachary Levi), a childish hero who doesn't know how to use any of his powers. With the help of his foster brother Freddie (Jack Dylan Grazer), a superhero nerd, Billy and Shazam must fight Doctor Sivana (Mark Strong), a man with some serious daddy issues.

Review

Let me start by blatantly saying that this film is very entertaining. It is well-written and funny. The film is very meta. It knows that it's silly and it plays with the suspension of disbelief that is often paired with superhero films. It lampoons common superhero tropes quite hilariously (talking from a distance, heroes suddenly knowing how to use their powers). This film is also very silly, but I think that it helps overall. It plays toward the message that it shouldn't be taken seriously. It is a very light film, so light that it's almost an anti-DC movie, which is good. The darkness that is often portrayed in other DC Films never seems to fit anyway, unless it Batman. It is understandable why the abandoning mother storyline was there to give Billy's character pathos, but it ultimately had no impact on the story. It made the characters of Shazam and Billy conflict in their overall demeanor. Alternatively, I thought that the villain was weak. He didn't have a relatable motive. He was a rich guy with insecurities and severe daddy issues. The film is very well cast. There are good child actors, contrary to public opinion. Comparatively, Angel was flat and drab while Grazer was a scene-stealer. Zachary Levi was well cast as Shazam. He plays childish men well. It is so refreshing to see a genuinely good and fun DC movie. Most others are just dark and dank Shazam couldn’t be more of the opposite.