Grant Dillard
Staff writer
gdillard@murraystate.edu
The DC Cinematic Universe (or DC Extended Universe/DCEU as it’s often called via internet chatter) has had an uneven track record to say the least. “Man of Steel,” “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” and “Suicide Squad” received mixed to negative reviews from critics and audiences; but the more positive reception of “Wonder Woman” and “Aquaman” have shown signs of possible resurgence for the franchise. “Shazam!” the newest film in the DCEU, is another success to add to the lineup.
Billy Batson (Asher Angel) is a troubled orphan who has ran away from countless foster homes in search of his estranged mother. Eventually, Batson ends up in yet another foster home, where he has a new set of foster siblings to get used to. But Batson’s life changes for the better once he comes across a wizard, Shazam, who bestows his powers onto the boy due to his good heart. By saying the wizard’s name, Batson transforms into an adult with many superpowers, all while still having the mindset of a kid. As Batson continues to figure out how his powers work, a villain named Thaddeus Sivana (Mark Strong) steps in, and Batson will have to learn that there’s much more to being a hero than just having powers.
The best way to describe “Shazam!” would be Superman crossed with the Tom Hanks classic “Big,” as it’s basically a kid who becomes an adult, except he has a wide array of superpowers. It’s a unique, albeit ridiculous, premise; but thankfully the film understands this, as its tone is lighthearted and playful in the way it’s presented. Seeing Batson discover the extent of his new abilities as the film progresses is a ton of fun to watch unfold, with the highlight being a montage set to the music of “Don’t Stop Me Now” by Queen.
“Shazam!” may also be one of the most humorous superhero films in recent memory, containing several laugh-out-loud moments. Along with the antics Batson gets involved in as a superhero, there are also several running gags and one-liners that stand out as well. Thankfully. None of the humor present feels forced or tacked on like in “Justice League” or even a handful of films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. All the comedy present feels very natural and fits with the film’s tone.
Even with the lighthearted silliness present, “Shazam!” still also knows when to be serious; as not only are there a handful of intense scenes involving the villain, Sivana, but there is also a good amount of dramatic and down-to-earth scenes too. Thankfully, their presence in the film never feels out of place, and actually add more depth.
Billy Batson, even as his normal self, makes for a strong and relatable protagonist. While Batson can be quite the troublemaker, and even selfish at times, it’s easy to understand that all he wants is to find his mother, who he lost in a crowd years ago. Batson only wants his mother’s love and support, which he feels no foster parent can replicate. Eventually as the film progresses, Batson warms up to his foster siblings and becomes a nicer person.
But when Batson says the magic word, things get even better. Zachary Levi is absolutely fantastic as the adult superhero; perfectly capturing the personality, mannerisms and attitude of a 14-year-old who happens to be in the body of a grown man with superpowers. Levi not only handles comedy masterfully, but he also knows how to convey dramatic emotions for whenever his character has to be serious.
The supporting cast, specifically Batson’s foster family, are also very good. Batson’s disabled foster brother and superhero fanatic, Freddy Freeman (Jack Dylan Grazer) is the one who stands out the most; not only acting as a mentor to Batson in terms of helping him figure out his powers, but also helping Batson grow and change as a person. Batson’s other foster siblings including Mary Bromfield (Grace Fulton), Eugene Choi (Ian Chen) and Darla Dudley (Faithe Herman) are all very loveable and have their share of memorable moments.
Then there’s the main antagonist, Dr. Thaddeus Sivana; a physicist who seeks the powers that were given to Batson. While Sivana isn’t exactly the best villain in the DCEU, he’s still an interesting character with a decent motivation for his overall goal. That, and Mark Strong gives a much better performance than the likes of Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor from “Batman v Superman” or Jared Leto as the Joker from “Suicide Squad.” Sivana works well enough as a villain for this film, but it’s likely he’ll be overshadowed by Shazam’s true arch nemesis, Black Adam, once he clashes with the hero onscreen in a future sequel. Especially since Dwayne Johnson has already been cast as the villain, who is set to first star in his own solo film in the near future.
Thanks to its wonderful cast, wicked sense of humor, and interesting premise, “Shazam!” easily makes for one of the most unique superhero films out there, as well as one of the year’s best films. As for where the film ranks among the DCEU may be debatable amongst fans, but it’s definitely the most entertaining from beginning to end. Fans of the DC Universe, as well as casual moviegoers in general should definitely give this film a watch.