"Shazam!" Movie Review: One Of The Most Irresistible DCEU Superhero Movies Ever!

Shazam!

Director: David Sandberg
Cast: Zachary Levi, Asher Angel, Mark Strong, Jack Dylan Grazer
Rating: 4/5

Besides famous DC heroes such as Batman and Superman, a lot of people also grew up with Captain Marvel - the original name of Shazam. We have always expected Warner Bros to do a good job as we love DC Extended Universe (DCEU)  so much, yet sometimes they still disappoint us with the team-ups movies. However, when it comes to solo superhero movies, they know how to do it right. DC Entertainment is on a winning streak after Wonder Woman and Aquaman, and now their latest film Shazam! is not an exception!

Shazam! is about a 14-year-old orphan Billy Batson who needs a magic word to become an adult superhero. You might not expect much at the beginning, but you will certainly have this on your mind when you leave the theatre: "DC should have done it like this right from the start!"

Before, Zack Snyder seemed to be in a rush as he was forced to build a connected DC universe. As a result, the Justice League faced bad reviews, weak audience scores, and disappointing box office revenue. However, Warner Bros eventually learns a lesson and let their movies based on comic books more. That's how the magic happens.

In fact, Shazam! leans heavily on DC former president Geoff Johns' works. It takes inspiration from Johns and Gary Frank's origin comic which is also the Justice League's backstory during DC Comics’ New 52 publishing phase. Honestly, it is a brilliant choice, as Billy Batson from New 52 is the most modern one from all of the versions.

Warner Bros also chooses David Sandberg, a director who is mostly known for his horror flicks such as Lights Out and Annabelle: Creation. We may wonder how Sandberg manages to control the chaotic DCEU, but it turns out that Shazam! is the most fun DC movie of all time.

In addition to a strong plot, Sandberg also makes proper choices in casting. Asher Angel plays as Billy Batson, a young boy who is always in hopes of finding back his long lost mother. He is still a kid but he has to carry the burden of abandonment, and Angel knows exactly the way to convey the heartbreaking scenes and emotions to the viewers.

Billy Batson happens to meet a mysterious wizard who tells him the magic word to get the superpower. When Batson yells "Shazam!", lightning strikes and he becomes an adult version of himself, but much stronger. At this point, Angel is replaced by Zachary Levi who is given a muscle suit to help create the jaw-dropping factor of a superhero's body (yet Batson is still a kid inside).

Zachary Levi portrays the power of an indestructible superhero, but at the same time, he also has to acts as an immature boy. He blends both of the aspects perfectly, becoming such an anti-DC hero. He does not need to grit his teeth or shrilly scream"Martha." Instead, he tends to be quite hyperactive and even silly. After all, he is still a kid! with Shazam!, Levi deserves to have his spot in the top of DC best actors. He can be at the same level with Gal Gadot's Wonder Woman and Jason Momoa's Aquaman. And yes, it feels like DCEU does not need Batman and Superman anymore.

Mark Strong is not an unfamiliar name to DCEU fans. He used to play as Sinestro; a supervillain appeared in Green Lantern (2011). However, it was not until Shazam! that he finally got a tailor-made role for himself. He plays as Dr Thaddeus Sivana, another DC villain who is obsessed with magic and spends his life trying to return the Rock of Eternity.

Moreover, we cannot help but fall for Jack Dylan Grazer as his character Freddy Freeman steals the show. If you are into DC comics, then you have already known how important this character is in the whole movie.

Shazam! is undoubtedly not a typical DC movie, and that what makes this movie outstanding. Maybe we already have had enough with several overused original superhero scenes, and Shazam is even better than just a good break from those movies. You will laugh, you will feel good, and you will want more after watching this latest DCEU movie. It will be one of the most fun times at the theatre you have ever had. Shazam! seems to belongs to a new era of the superhero movie, and it deserves our 4/5 stars!