‘Shazam!’ Introduces the Magic of Laughter Into the DCEU
Say his name, say his name – Shazam! is a delightful look into the lighter, more magical side of DCEU. Get ready to feel like a kid again.
If DC’s Shazam! doesn’t make you grin like a goofy kid, you might be broken. It tells the tale of Billy Batson, a young boy who’s chosen for his pure heart to wield the power of the wizard Shazam. Only this Billy Batson isn’t exactly Wally Cleaver.
There are spoilers past this gif!
The Wonder of Shazam!
This is a laugh-out-loud good time brought to you by a really charming cast. There’s a running joke among comic book fans. You see, the hero’s name is actually Captain Marvel, but because a certain other comic book company has a bigger claim to that name, people just assume the hero’s name is Shazam. “But Shazam is the name of the wizard!” comic book fans will lovingly groan. Well, that joke is a through line in the film. Levi’s hero tries out nom de guerres like “Thundercrack” and “Captain Sparklefingers”.
Zachary Levi is a precious little muffin. The childlike way he speaks and behaves is so authentic. He and Asher Angel, who plays almost-15-year-old Billy, absolutely nail the same mannerisms and expressions. I also thoroughly enjoyed Djimon Hounsou as the wizard Shazam. He commands such presence, and his character is so serious that it works magnificently against Billy’s suspicion and sarcasm.
The Whole Shazam Family
Of course, the big Marvel family reveal is worth leaving the house for. It’s such a darling good time. Freddie and Darla in particular are very well-developed as characters, and their transformations into Adam Brody and Meagan Good were effective and enjoyable.
Perhaps it’s splitting hairs, but choosing young and adult Asian actors to play the tech-loving kid in the family feels a bit cringe. And I would like to have seen the adult actor who played Pedro have a more rotund body-builder figure; the idea that in order to transform into a muscular character he would automatically therefore be thin also feels a bit cringe.
Doctor Sevana & the Seven Deadly Sins
Unfortunately, for the overwhelming effectiveness of the good guy(s), Dr. Sevana was a lackluster villain. I love me some Hard Stanly Tucci (also known as Mark Strong). But this character felt like a very standard bad guy. The story tried to present him as a dark foil to Billy in ways that didn’t quite connect for me.
As for the Seven Deadly Sins, well, the CGI was a little cheesy. Each monster looked more like an early-2000s run of Gargoyles knockoff, and lacked the magic that characterizes the Shazam! mythos. And much like Billy, I too thought Lust would be hotter.
Should You Go See Shazam!?
Look, it’s impossible to watch this movie and not have a good time. Did I mention it’s also a holiday movie? I predict I’ll be adding that to my annual December rotation. This is certainly a brighter, more whimsical side of the DCEU and it’s a much-welcomed change of perspective. Plus, the end-credit cartoons are phenomenal.
