Review Summary: Flawed but fun superhero flick runs very high on enthusiasm and heart.
Out of the many superhero films that have come over the past decade, there was something different about Shazam. From its attitude to its look, it felt lighter and more sincere than most other superhero flicks nowadays. It looked smaller in scale as well (no wonder it carried a budget that was around half of Captain Marvel's), and featured a juvenile protagonist (well, of sorts). But, this isn't Spy Kids.
And truth be told, the final result was just about what the trailers promised. Shazam is more of a throwback superhero film than many of its brethren. Maybe its' the 80's references? (its definitely a superhero version of Big in some ways). Maybe its' the wittiness and occasionally old-fashioned winks in the script? Because the movie has plenty of both to make many fans happy.
Besides all of that, Shazam is also a superhero flick that wears its heart on its sleeve. I've never seen so much enthusiasm and joy out of a superhero character before. That's part of what makes the character work. Billy Batson, on one side, is an introverted, closed-off teenager (with a moral compass leaning towards helping others and doing what's right). But, when he says the magic word, he turns into a 14-year old boy in a man's body. Someone who shows childlike joy on his face and has a sense of wonder that is irresistible.
Of course, major kudos goes to Asher Angel (Andi Mack) and Zachary Levi (Tangled, Chuck) for making this double character work. Angel is relatable as Billy, while Levi fully embraces being a superhero who feels like he has some growing up to do. The fact is, despite some edginess here and there, there's still a young soul clearly seen in this character.
The rest of the cast does a wonderful job too. Jack Dylan Grazer is surprisingly good as sidekick and foster brother Freddie. He's a little too edgy and crude at times, but he cleverly brings to light the desperate side of a lonely adolescent in need of a best friend. As the villainous Mr. Sivana, Mark Strong plays the part well. He's given enough of a backstory to really work (in sometimes mature and sad ways, including a very sad opening scene), and also gives off enough of a threat to make him formidable. Djimon Hounsou is a perfect choice for the old wizard. He's given at least one stand-out scene.
Of course, this isn't a film that relies on big names. This film relies on its' story and characters. There's some sadness, but the script nicely shows these characters advancing in maturity (slowly, but surely), as well as Billy slowly letting the crust crumble around his heart to start loving his new foster family. There's a twist towards the end that really helps bring this home. On the downside, the script includes a little too much profanity considering the age set, as well as a couple of moments that should have been on the cutting room floor or changed.
As I mentioned earlier, Shazam is definitely a smaller film, but that doesn't mean there aren't solid visual effects. There's definitely enough of it. But, here's where the film runs into a problem. Director David F. Sandberg (Lights Out, Annabelle: Creation) seemed like he was trying to bring in hints of horror into this movie. In a few scenes in particular, there are a few jump scares that may frighten the little ones. But, tonally, these moments just don't gel with the overall film's tone. Yes, the "Seven Deadly Sins" play a part here, but maybe they could have been toned down a few notches to be more comical than leaning towards horrifying.
The action scenes are really fun too. However, the climactic scene goes on for way too long. There is a nice twist in the scene that I won't spoil, but it could have been cut down by at least five minutes. It keeps going and going to the point where you begin to wonder when its' going to stop. Of course, that doesn't make the overall ride less entertaining, but the sequence itself definitely didn't need to come close to a half-hour long.
That being said, Shazam has plenty of entertaining and comedic moments. It may not always be hilarious, but it did get a handful of chuckles out of me. This is also a superhero movie that doesn't rely heavily on superhero references (though DC's universe is still in the reforming stages). Unlike Spider-Man: Homecoming, this particular superhero thankfully feels like it can fly on its own without constantly calling back to its' own comic universe to carry the movie.
For DC, Shazam is easily their best since Wonder Woman. It features a better story and more memorable characters than Aquaman, and thankfully lacks the over-complexity that Batman v. Superman had in its story. Among recent superhero flicks, Shazam carries more infectious energy than Captain Marvel and has more heart and wit than Doctor Strange and the Guardians of the Galaxy movies.
By the time the credits roll, Shazam is a really good superhero movie, if not quite awesome. It really could have used less of an edge (and less of the scare factor). However, its' still a very fun and engaging movie that most comic book fans will enjoy.
My Score: 7.8/10
Content Concerns for Family Viewing: Shazam is rated PG-13 for "intense sequences of action, language, and suggestive material." The rating is very appropriate. Even though the film is lighter in tone and more kid-centric, I don't recommend it for anyone under the age of 12. The violence leans darker at times, with seven "Deadly Sins" appearing scary and dark in form (one has a mouth the size of its whole body). One bites someone's head off. Another throws someone out the window several stories high. We hear lots of screaming and see people pounding a glass wall begging for help (most of the grotesque stuff is hidden out of the camera's view). Someone turns to dust (and screams in the process). Mr. Sivana is consumed by these demons and causes a lot of damage (one of his eyes is whited out as a result). A car crash occurs, throwing someone and we see him afterwards in a small pool of blood. Freddy is bullied and hit by a car. Shazam injures himself many times during superpower tests. People are nearly thrown from a ferris wheel. Shazam's lightning bolts accidentally cause a bus to careen out of control and fall off a bridge (he catches it, eventually). We hear of someone paralyzed in an accident. A scalp is cut at one point. A few "jump scares". At one point, Freddy demands robbers at a store to shoot Shazam on the suit and then in his face to prove how "bulletproof" he is (none of the bullets penetrate, of course. But its' still a bit jarring).
There's also some language issues. We hear five uses each of the s-word, h***, and "a**" (a good chunk of these come from Freddy or the other kids/preteens). "Oh my g**" is used at least 10 times. We also hear one use each of "d**k", "douchebag", "f-g", "crap", "this sucks balls!" and "J***s!" Freddy gives the "middle finger" on both hands to a couple of bullies at one point. At one other point, Shazam attempts to go into a "gentleman's club", and is briefly asked afterwards "did you see any boobs?" Shazam and his foster siblings also wind up there one other time (accidentally) magically in an attempt to escape Sivana (the camera never goes inside in either situation). In response to the wizard asking him to "lay his hands on his staff", Billy says "gross!" Billy closes himself off from others, and runs away several times. There's a comment on Romans brushing their teeth with their own urine as a history fact. Shazam goes into a bathroom, and someone runs out terrified, pulling up his zipper. Billy and Freddy lie, sneak out of school, and do other irresponsible things (steal money from an ATM, for example). Billy's parents are revealed in flashback to not have been the best influence (Sivana's Dad as well is implied to have abused him as a child, and he goes for direct revenge). Billy and Freddy buy beer at one point, only to spit it out afterwards. So they buy a bunch of junk food instead.
Themes of separation and loss in the foster care system may prove a little tense for older kids in similar situations.
