Warner Brothers’ latest entrance into the DCEU is many things. It is a fun and action-packed superhero movie that has (actually funny) humor, with a wickedly marvelous villain in Mark Strong; yet the film is consistent with the ones that came before in keeping in line with social commentary.
While Shazam! is an overly pleasant surprise, it also takes aim at social media and the constant misguided rumor mill of who is playing which superhero. Shazam! is frankly the perfect film to be the latest feature in the current state of the DCEU.
With sharply dynamic performances from the lead ensemble, what really propels the film forward is a smart script and character development. Zachary Levi is magnificent as Shazam. He’s funny and adorable but best of all looks the part of a pseudo-Superman. While Mark Strong is an awakening as to everything a modern comic-book villain should be.
Steeped in mysticism, Shazam! keeps true to the DC lore that is birthed from ancient civilizations and the alluring cinematic trope of magic. The film not only stokes Greek mythology and particularly Christianity but somehow weaves the latter into a rather practical plot element that carries the film to an exhilarating climax.
In all of Warner’s mistakes and knee-jerk reactions, two things they have done perfectly well is casting of their main hero and respective villain, but also creating a complex big bad that is a more than a sizable match for the hero. Shazam! is absolutely no exception.
There are many nods and references made in the film. One thing to note is Batfleck and Cavill Superman are not just featured as prominent background characters in the film. They serve as the foundation of everything this film world builds with.
As far as the film is concerned, Ben Affleck and Henry Cavill aren’t going anywhere as the DCEU’s seminal heroes.
Review by Frank Mengarelli
Summary
Shazam! is a fun and funny superhero movie that offers up a fresh new hero with a wickedly fun villain while maintaining consistency with the DCEU films that came before it.
