Grade: A
Author: Billy Madden
Superhero movies are typically known for their darker undertones, but Shazam! radiates a different energy altogether. Like Marie Kondo’s knack for sparking joy, Shazam! Energizes viewers with a high voltage of humor and family-friendly fun, setting a distinct tone in the superhero genre.
Shazam! introduces us to 14-year-old foster kid Billy Batson, bestowed with superhero abilities by a mysterious wizard. The transformation is simple – a shout of “Shazam!” and Batson morphs into a full-fledged superhero. However, with the rise of evil powers and the nefarious Dr. Thaddeus Sivana (played by Mark Strong), alongside the monstrous representations of the Seven Deadly Sins, Batson finds himself on a heroic journey to restore balance. And, of course, Batson’s (played by the comedic genius Zachary Levy) unacquaintedness with his new role provides plenty of hilarious moments throughout the two-hour and twelve-minute spectacle.
The cast delivers an impressive performance, especially young Billy Batson (Asher Angel) and his bullied friend Freddy (Jack Dylan Grazer), who demonstrate undeniable on-screen chemistry. This dynamic extends seamlessly even when older Batson (Levy) steps into the scene, effectively portraying the story’s core message of standing up for what’s right, irrespective of its popularity.
Shazam! pulls out all the stops with special effects, from soaring lightning bolts to gravity-defying stunts. These effects sometimes result in awe-inspiring moments; in others, they lead to genuine laughter. Despite its light-hearted approach, Shazam! Includes its share of action-packed, albeit non-gory, fights – a word of caution for the more sensitive viewers.
The script of Shazam! strikes a balance between clean slapstick humor and adult-oriented jokes, which is commendable. It takes a unique knack for the script to generate laughter even during tense moments – an element brilliantly executed in Shazam!
As someone unfamiliar with the character of Shazam, my expectations were admittedly low. However, the film caught me off guard, providing a thoroughly entertaining experience for myself and fellow movie-goers. The uproarious laughter in the theatre was a testament to its success as a comedic superhero flick.
Shazam! is not a cinematic experience to be missed. Assemble your friends and enjoy a crash course in becoming a superhero. You’re bound to leave the theater with a newfound appreciation for this standout superhero comedy of the year!
MOVIE INFO
We all have a superhero inside of us — it just takes a bit of magic to bring it out. In 14-year-old Billy Batson’s case, he only needs to 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 doing what any other teen would do — have fun while testing out his newfound powers. But he must master them quickly before the evil Dr. Thaddeus Sivana can get his hands on Shazam’s magical abilities.
- Rating: PG-13 (Language|Intense Sequences of Action|Suggestive Material)
- Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy
- Original Language: English
- Director: David F. Sandberg
- Producer: Peter Safran
- Writer: Henry Gayden
- Release Date (Theaters): Apr 5, 2019, Wide
- Release Date (Streaming): Jul 2, 2019
- Box Office (Gross USA): $140.4M
- Runtime: 2h 12m
- Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
- Production Co: Mad Ghost Productions, DC Entertainment, Seven Bucks Productions, Safran Company
- Sound Mix: Dolby Atmos
- Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)