Shazam! is a 2019 comic book film about a 14-year-old foster kid who can turn into an adult superhero.
Don’t you just love it when a movie has so much heart and makes you feel like a kid again? Shazam!, which is the next installment in the DCEU, does that wonderfully. Directed by David F. Sandberg, a filmmaker known for Lights Out and Annabelle: Creation, he really brings a lot of energy and excitement to a movie showcasing one of the most unique comic book characters ever. After Warner Bros. has decided to drastically change the DCEU in some way starting with Aquaman, Shazam! definitely shows that there are still some films to look forward to in this universe!
Billy Batson (Asher Angel), a 14-year-old foster kid, is desperately trying to look for his mother for many years. After running away from many foster homes, he eventually gets adopted by a nice couple named Victor and Rosa, but he still feels hesitant to accept his new family. The wizard Shazam (Djimon Hounsou) tracks him down and chooses him as his worthy successor, which gives Billy the power of turning into an adult (Zachary Levi) with superpowers. With his foster brother Freddy (Jack Dylan Grazer) by his side, he will train to become a superhero and stop the evil Dr. Sivana (Mark Strong) from taking over his powers.
Levi is perfectly cast as the titular character Shazam as he nails his performance of playing a kid in an adult body. He brings a sense of wonder to his role, and he shows that being a superhero can be a lot of fun! Also, he’s clearly passionate of wanting to play this person, and it’s really nice to see that enthusiasm shown throughout the film. While Levi is absolutely outstanding as Shazam, Angel’s performance as Billy adds a lot of emotional depth to the movie. He’s just a kid who wants to find his mother, and it’s actually quite touching. These two actors really make Billy Batson as both a very compelling and entertaining main protagonist. Grazer’s role as Freddy is probably one of the best supporting characters ever in a comic book flick. He and the two lead actors have an amazing chemistry with one another, and he does a great job as the comic relief. Strong, who is usually recognized for playing villains, is menacing as the antagonist Dr. Sivana. Even if his CGI monsters are pretty bland and forgettable, he’s at least memorable as the bad guy.
As mentioned in the beginning of this review, this is a vibrant popcorn flick filled with lots of heartfelt and entertaining moments from start to finish. Henry Gayden’s screenplay adds a lot of heart to the premise, which feels refreshing to the comic book movie genre. The DCEU has been criticized for having an inconsistent tone in some of their installments, but Shazam! finds a nice way to balance both the humor and drama. While the action scenes are undeniably a lot of fun, it’s the coming-of-age aspect that is ultimately the best part of the entire film. Just seeing Billy evolve as a person is so intriguing, and it’s something the audience might definitely connect with.
Shazam! is easily the best installment in the DCEU. That might not sound like a huge compliment to some people who aren’t fans of the franchise, but it’s true. This is a terrific coming-of-age story that is elevated with a fun script and some amazing performances from the cast. It’s actually nice to have a different vibe in a comic book film that feels completely new in some way. Shazam! successfully puts the DCEU back on course, and it’s also one of the most entertaining films you will enjoy watching at the movie theatre. It should get props for showing us what it’s like to be a kid again.