NOTE: So 1. Sorry I was gone... I am back. I am sure you all have been lost, in a world without my deep, thoughtful, insightful, entertainment guidance. I have a lot of reviews to get to over the next couple of days. So, raise songs in my name... or continue to stab that voodoo doll in my likeness... do as you will.
To the movie....
And the story goes... 14 year old foster child - a trouble maker with a good heart who just has issues processing the pain of his loneliness - s chosen by an aging wizard to inherit his powers (think superman with a USB charging port). He activates these powers by saying the wizards name - SHAZAM There is however an evil wizard, dude, former child chosen one, that wants the bolt powers all for himself. Along the way Billy Batson will find out perhaps, that family, can mean many different things...
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| Why water a plant, when you can shock it... ? Leaf it alone... ? |
Ok. So full disclosure, if you read my reviews you know I am a huge DC fan... NOW i don't use the term DCEU fan... because though I love the films, they have pooped on the futon a few times. But as far as comics go, I am in that shizzie. And the animated dhows/films, and the old TV shows and new ones... etc, etc.
But, that said, SHAZAM (aka the once upon a time called - CAPTAIN MARVEL), was never high on my list of DC heroes. Although I will say the fight he has with superman in Justice League Unlimited - in fact that whole episode - is amazing. Really captured the idea of a 14 year old superman level character and how that would look against the older, more jaded heroes of the JL. So ya, looking forward to that down the road on the big screen.
However, my blah blah aside. This film made me like shazam. First. This film goes way darker than the trailers suggest. No, not Zack Synder dark - before any bubblegum defenders of the Marvel universe come at me. I think it was intentional to hide the darker aspects of the film in the trailers, because it kinda catches you unprepared. The feels. The real stakes. All of that.
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| Superman has his takeoff technique.... Billy has his... |
Considering this film is directed by a horror guy, the darker aspects really are rather polished. They balance the over the top joy and fun of a teenage boy being given powers like this looks like. Junk food and beer (that they hate), video games and jokes. I mean would any adult go save the world first with a surprise set of powers? Let alone a young kid? I submit - no.
The film is just a great time. With heart. Zackary Levi (of Chuck fame) is a great fit as the grown man child version of Billy Batson, and though never appearing on screen together (obviously) - I dare say the chemistry (somehow it is felt despite the aforementioned non screen time) and in sync nature of the two actors is a real gem of the film. The foster family he lives with in the film manages to connect with the audience despite some limited screen time. Mark strong as the villain is - unexpectedly - well flushed out as a bad guy.
The whole thing is just bright and explode-y, and giggle friendly. Now this is a major origin story film... so the focus is really on BILLY and his first steps towards adulthood, and, superhero ness. There are great call outs to the DC universe sure, and there is a villain, and a climax and all that - sure, but this is really a "Get to know the character" flick with some great set pieces. And that makes sense, because, SHAZAM's ultimate villain (anti-hero) BLACK ADAM - to be played by the freaking ROCK, is on deck to have his own origin film next year? or 2021?
An interesting idea right, instead of cramming our hero and his best villain into one film we will separate them into two films. Now when you consider there is a 30 minute animated film out there called SHAZAM/SUPERMAN: THE RETURN OF BLACK ADAM... and that film managed to fit both stories into 30 minutes - with 15 minutes of fighting haha... did we really need two films? Probably not, but more screen time for the ROCK justifies his pay check ... and hey, at least its a different approach.
Its not a perfect film alright people... and that at this point seems like a line that pops up in every freaking review everywhere... as if these perfect films exist somewhere haha... there might be a dozen in all of history and certainly no superhero flick (despite the nerds bravehearting it) have been perfect. But its a damn good flick, that comes at you straight from the comics with its heart on its sleeve. Some characters get lost in the shuffle, there is a lack of action (not a bad thing really) it does take a bit to get going. More than enough laughs and feels to look past it.
In closing. We are spoiled punks that get a new 200 million dollar flick every summer month (sometimes twice in a month or three this month, SHAZAM, HELLBOY, and AVENGERS: ENDGAME) but this one is definitely worth your 10-20$. I really hope it doesn't get unceremoniously lost in this crazy summer film lineup.
Movie scale 3.5 out of 5 stars
superhero scale 3.5 out of 5 stars
ONE LINE MOVIE REVIEW: It will charge your cell, and butter your popcorn.
Boon sweet out !
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