Shazam! is probably the best DC hero film to come out since The Dark Knight Rises, though it does try too hard to be a PG-rated Deadpool and suffers at times under stock hero-movie freight (like the generic looking gape-mawed, razor-nailed evil demons scooped right from a CGI answer to central casting). Still, it brings memorable performances and enough heart to make it a decent—if not quite Marvel-lous—night at the pictures.
Haus, y u invoke Marvel? Well, the superhero genre is crowded these days, and as a lifelong Batman (and two-decade long Christopher Nolan) fan, it truly knots me to say that most of the chips have by now slid over to Marvel’s side. In the bleak years A.B. (after Bale), the DC properties have lost their way: DC has been grasping for a comeback, placing tall bets on Justice League, Aquaman, and Suicide Squad – anything to rinse out the gritty lingering nastiness that was Batman v. Superman. So far, nothing’s really hit home.
It’s against this knobby backdrop that we get Shazam!, a movie about a fifteen year old foster kid (Billy Batson, played by Asher Angel) who encounters a mysterious old wizard (Djimon Hounsou) and gains his magical powers. Whenever Billy yells “Shazam,” lightning (literally) strikes and he morphs into a wisecracking, devil-may-care sort of superhero who’s still 15 in the head. (This much, at least, seems true to the old Captain Marvel/Shazam backstory.)
Zachary Levi carries the day as the adult Shazam, clearly relishing the whole kid-in-adult-body thing. Yuks are had as Shazam/Billy explores his newfound powers, alongside his foster-brother (a very watchable Jack Dylan Grazer). The supporting cast are good where they need to be, though Mark Strong (a personal favorite) phones it in as the villainous Dr. Sivana. (To his credit, he’s given very little leash beyond scowling, scheming, and shouting evilspeak at the hero.)
While the premise is fun – sort of Big or Freaky Friday with lightning-hands – and the foster parent backdrop is sufficiently homey, the main plot offers little sustenance, even compared with its ICEEs-and-icing-sugar superhero brethren. (Of course, that in itself may be part of the appeal – a sort of drink in the face of the depressing, melancholy, and self-important broodfests that have come to define the Batman and Superman films of late.) Billy/Shazam himself is at times a fairly unsympathetic and entitled protagonist — why again was this kid anointed with powers, when so many around him seem more deserving? — but lessons are (clumsily) learned, and in the end Shazam! manages to be happy without being too heavy handed. It also keeps a good trick up its sleeve, in the form of a refreshing final act (not even hinted in the trailer).
One major issue I have with the recent DC hero films is that (Wonder Woman perhaps aside) most of them come off as mere ripoffs of something Marvel already did better. Shazam falls victim to this as well – it’s pretty clearly spun up as a sort of PG-13 rated Deadpool, (mercifully) minus the fourth-wall breaks, but (unmercifully) aping even the sketch-animated credit roll. This movie also smells a lot like Kick-Ass, which if you haven’t seen it, is (while R-rated) well worth your while. (And it also stars Mark Strong.)
Before I leave you with a recommendation to see this, here’s some interesting background that DC won’t volunteer: Shazam (that is, the original comic book character by Fawcett Comics) was originally named Captain Marvel (really!), and DC acquired the rights ages ago following some legal wrangling in which they alleged Shazam/Captain Marvel was overly similar to Superman. In his 1940s comics heyday, Shazam/Captain Marvel was actually more popular than Superman—but in recent times, DC has struggled to make much of the property. Until today, I doubt most will have even heard of the character.
Shazam! (the movie) isn’t shooting for the moon, and thank goodness for that. It neatly sidesteps the usual DC broodmongering, and while it’s occasionally frustrating and does come off a little Marvel-derivative (unremarkable really, considering how thoroughly Marvel has papered over the genre) it stands on its own as a fun and ultimately upbeat dose of family-friendly hero fodder.
Haus Verdict: Shazam! could have been more—and Avengers it’s not—but this is probably as good as the DC Universe is going to get right now. It’s loud, fun, zany, and worth a watch.
Captain Marvel — ahem, Shazam!, opens everywhere today, April 5.
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it was a really nice movie that i watch. i recomand it!