Year of Release: 2019
Director: David F. Sandberg
Starring: Zachary Levi, Mark Strong, Jack Dylan Grazer, Asher Angel, Djimon Hounsou, John Glover, Marta Milans, Cooper Andrews, Grace Fulton, Faithe Herman, Ian Chen, Jovan Armand, Evan Marsh, Carso MacCormac, Lotta Losten, Meagan Good, Adam Brody, Ross Butler, D.J. Cotrona
Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy
Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 6
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Synopsis and Review:
Director David F. Sandberg is steadily building an interesting career in the US, following his debut with "Lights Out" (which he quickly followed with "Annabelle: Creation"). "Shazam!" is his first big budget endeavor, and is based on the comic book character from the DC universe. The film follows the story of young Billy Batson, who has had a rough childhood. His mom abandoned him when he was 3 and he has been looking for her ever since. Now at 14 he finds himself in Philadelphia, and living with a couple who takes care of foster children in their household. His life suddenly changes, when an ancient wizard, grants him monumental powers when he utters the words "Shazam". His initial reaction is one of shock and astonishment, something he quickly shares with his best friend, Freddy, who also lives in the same foster home, and is constantly bullied at school. They both set out to discover what these new powers and body possess, while also unknowingly becoming the target of Thaddeus Sivana, a man who is being manipulated by dark forces to undermine the power behind the "Shazam" mythology.
"Shazam!" is a hybrid film, in the sense that while trying to expand the traditional canvas and concept of super hero/comic book films, still adheres to it, while also introducing more humor and a human aspect to it that is both endearing and lighthearted. The film clearly knows that is not to be taken seriously, but it does bring to mind the spirit of Penny Marshsall's "Big" - a child trapped in the body of an adult, just in this particular case, in the body of a superhero. It's a premise which allows for the film to be revelatory in its approach: it's not as ponderous and serious as the counterparts from Marvel, but it's also not as kitschy or poorly developed as previous DC films (such as James Wan's "Aquaman" or Zack Snyder's "Man of Steel" for instance). It's a film that knows that this is a journey of discovery, and does it from the perspective of a young kid, only faltering towards the end, when it embraces the more typical tropes of the genre, with the interminable digital battles with the villainous creatures. It's nonetheless an entertaining, lighthearted endeavor, featuring a humorous performance from Zachary Levi and allowing for Jack Dylan Grazer to be the heart of the story. Worth watching.
"Shazam!" is a hybrid film, in the sense that while trying to expand the traditional canvas and concept of super hero/comic book films, still adheres to it, while also introducing more humor and a human aspect to it that is both endearing and lighthearted. The film clearly knows that is not to be taken seriously, but it does bring to mind the spirit of Penny Marshsall's "Big" - a child trapped in the body of an adult, just in this particular case, in the body of a superhero. It's a premise which allows for the film to be revelatory in its approach: it's not as ponderous and serious as the counterparts from Marvel, but it's also not as kitschy or poorly developed as previous DC films (such as James Wan's "Aquaman" or Zack Snyder's "Man of Steel" for instance). It's a film that knows that this is a journey of discovery, and does it from the perspective of a young kid, only faltering towards the end, when it embraces the more typical tropes of the genre, with the interminable digital battles with the villainous creatures. It's nonetheless an entertaining, lighthearted endeavor, featuring a humorous performance from Zachary Levi and allowing for Jack Dylan Grazer to be the heart of the story. Worth watching.
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