Director
David F. Sandberg
(ANNABELLE: CREATION, LIGHTS OUT)

Stars
Asher Angel, Jack Dylan Grazer, Faithe Herman, Ian Chen, Grace Fulton, Zachary Levi, Mark Strong and Djimon Hounsou

Based on the DC character of the same name, SHAZAM is the seventh instalment in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) and is the first live-action film version of the character since the 1941 serial Adventures of Captain Marvel (the characters original name). On that note and for those of you who may not know (but care to), DC’s Captain Marvel is actually the original Captain Marvel, which first hit comic book stands in 1939. DC renamed their rebirth version of “Captain Marvel” to “Shazam” in 2012, due in part to Marvel holding the trademark on the name. Despite this and on a side note, DC still produces versions named Captain Marvel in print and animation.

Back now to the film, SHAZAM is about a boy named Billy Batson (played by Asher Angel from TV series Andi Mack) who gains the ability to transform into a fully costumed and adult superhero named Shazam (Zachary Levi) while remaining in the same location and present day. Billy’s ordinary adolescent existence begins to change after first meeting the Wizard Shazam (Djimon Hounsou) and the instant transition to becoming Shazam and returning as Billy happens each time that name is said out loud. When a nemesis named Thaddeus Sivana (played by Mark Strong) learns of his existence and powers, the safety of Billy and his family is placed into jeopardy.

With its winning formula of consistent humour and an abundance of endearing character’s always at the forefront, SHAZAM is definitely one of DC’s better movies where the storytelling truly entertains.

The opening scenes of SHAZAM introduce its villainous character at a young age and sets the precedent for how chosen ones come to meet the Wizard Shazam while also validating the motivations for Thaddeus Sivana’s villainy to follow years later. Soon after, the tone is lightened significantly and will remain that way for much of the feature as the timeline shifts to depicting Billy’s life before his turn to meet the Wizard Shazam arrives. Even from these earlier scenes, it is clear that SHAZAM possesses an ideal measure of virtue versus villainy and humour to sync with its action. These characteristics truly come to the fore from the moment that audiences meet members of Billy’s foster family and witness the novice superhero Shazam getting acquainted with, testing and utlising his newfound weapons. The conception and writing work that’s been completed behind these scenes is noticeably creative, is visually well-executed and generates a lot of laughter. Many of the contributions made by supporting cast members, such as Faithe Herman as Billy’s sister Darla and Jack Dylan Grazer as his brother Freddy, are scene-stealing and totally crowd-pleasing. Speaking of cast, do not be put off seeing SHAZAM at the cinema by the absence of a single big name Hollywood star. Another ingredient in its winning formula is the freshness and energy that this lesser known (to a big screen) cast brings to this production.

3 ½ stars