A Reel Review: SHAZAM!

Since 2013, Warner Bros. has stumbled and bumbled their efforts to bring a film series based on the DC Comics collection of superheroes to the big screen; with only one out of their first five films being worth a look. In the last two years, things have come together better, with two of their last three; WONDER WOMAN (2017) and AQUAMAN (2018) delivering with fans and critics. With a little bit of momentum going, the pressure is on to actually string together two consecutive good films, and that brings us to SHAZAM! 

14-year-old Billy Batson (Asher Angel), is a rebellious orphan searching for his long-lost mother while bouncing around from foster family to foster family. Just as he lands in a new, loving home with five other kids, including Freddy (Jack Dylan Grazer), he stumbles across an ancient wizard (Djimon Hounsou), who infuses him with the ability to transform into an adult superhero (played by Zachary Levi). Meanwhile, Dr. Thaddeus (Mark Strong) is also in search of the wizard and seeks that power. 

SHAZAM! Starts off as a basic fantasy flick, with a young man searching for his place in the world who stumbles upon the wizard who grants him power to prevent the Seven Deadly Sins from taking over the world; a power that he doesn’t know what to do with or if he even wants it. It’s rudimentary material, but backstory becomes key and the savior in this super-adventure. Billy finds his new abilities as a way to fill a huge hole in his life, and Dr. Thaddeus, who has his own issues with family, seeks the power not just for world domination but for a way to prove himself in his father’s eyes. It’s a fantasy that works simply because the theme of family is first and foremost. 

Once Billy finds his power to turn into an adult superhero, good fun is to be had. Billy relies on Freddie, who is a self-proclaimed expert on men of steel and caped crusaders, to help him find out exactly what his new abilities can do. The comedy comes fast and furious as Billy/Shazam stumbles, falls, crashes and smashes while he tries to learn how to fly, jump, and toss lightning around. Billy also lets his new power go to his head, which creates tension between he and Freddie and eventually his new foster family…which adds another layer of family to the film. 

The action is a blast. Shazam/Billy battles Dr. Thaddeus and his big ugly demons all over the city, and with Shazam still not in total control of his powers, learns as he goes. There are a few well-earned, stand-up-and cheer moments, set-pieces are staged very well, and there’s little to no goddamn shaky-cam to muck up the works. The CGI on the demons ranges from okay to cartoonish, but their design is excellent in their horrific glory. 

Acting is a charm. Zachary Levi is a ton of fun and really shows his chops as both a comediec and serious actor. Young Asher Angel is also very good for his age. Mark Strong turns in his basic performance as yet another bad guy in his long list of bad guys. The film really belongs to the kids in the foster home; Jack Dylan Grazer, Faithe Herman, Grace Fulton, Ian Chen, and Jovan Armand…all perfect in their roles. 

SHAZAM! Is not without issues. There is some clumsy set-up in the early goings as we have to sit through two prologues, and the backstory behind the source of the Shazam power could have used more explaining…other than here’s a wizard with a staff. But, by the time the finale and final battle rolls around, which is packed with a few surprises and comic book greatness, SHAZAM! sticks the superhero landing as a fun film with a lot of heart. Warner Bros. may have been looking grim for years, but a hero always arrives in the nick of time. 

BOTTOM LINE: See it