The superhero now called Shazam appeared in a comic book 80 years ago. As you might suspect, there have been changes over the years. In the original version, a young boy named Billy Batson would say “Shazam!” and turn into an adult superhero very much like Superman called…Captain Marvel. Later, in a lawsuit with MARVEL Comics, DC Comics agreed that MARVEL owned the Captain Marvel name and the Shazam character morphed.
Now, this movie version introduces us to a trouble teenager, Billy Batson (played by Asher Angel), who is searching for his mother. Billy was at a carnival as a toddler and got lost in the crowd. For the past decade, Billy has been going from foster home to foster home while trying to find his mother. In this latest foster home, Billy rooms with a disabled boy named Freddy (Jack Dylan Grazer) who idolizes Superman and other DC superheroes. Through some magic, Bill Batson gets transformed into Shazam (played by Zachery Levi). Of course, the comedy occurs immediately as Billy finds himself inside an adult’s body…with superpowers!
And of course, there’s a Bad Guy. He’s Thaddeus Sivana (played by Mark Strong), a guy with serious Daddy issues. A half-dozen ghoulish creatures have taken up residence in Sivana’s body and motivate him to take the powers in Shazam. Many action/fighting sequences follow. I enjoyed this spoof of superhero movies. I think Director David F. Sandberg could have cut 15 minutes or so from the film to make it tighter. Action, adventure, and humor…what more do you need from a superhero movie? GRADE: B+
In the words of the great G. Pyle, “Shazam!”
Jerry, Jim Nabors sure knew how to enunciate “SHAZAM!”
Zachary Levi has come a long way from CHUCK. He’s also starred in musicals on Broadway and plays the doctor boyfriend on THE MARVELOUS MRS. MAISEL. Until I looked it up which watching the latter, I had no idea he was 6’3″.
Jeff, part of the humor of SHAZAM! involves Zachary Levi acting like a 14-year-old kid even though he’s bulked up and 6’3″ (he keeps hitting his head). I’m hoping this movie does well and produces a sequel.
I am positive no one I know will see this with me so I probably won’t see it.
Patti, your grandson might enjoy SHAZAM! There’s plenty of teen-age humor in it.
Based on reviews and the trailer…I give it a D. But then comedy and superhero just don’t seem like a good match.
Rick, most of the DC movies have been dark so SHAZAM! is a pleasant departure. Most of the MARVEL movies include some humor, especially DEADPOOL.
DEADPOOL and the sequel have humor, though it is often very dark. IRON MAN has humor too.
This sounds like BIG meets Marvel.
Jeff, there is a brief reference to BIG in SHAZAM! I also read there’s a BIG remake in production…with a girl as the lead character.
Comics scholars are divided whether Billy Batson became Captain Marvel or changed places with him!
Bob, good point! In this movie version, Billy Batson transforms into Shazam.