SHAZAM! review - Thunderful (wait, that's a thing)
(Reviewed by Melody Werner)
Shazam! is a 2019 superhero film directed by David F. Sandberg (Lights Out). Based on the character Captain Marvel who was created by C. C. Beck and Bill Parker and initially published by Fawcett Comics. It was released by Warner Bros. and DC featuring Asher Angel, Jack Dylan Grazer, Zachary Levi, Mark Strong, Grace Fulton, and Faithe Herman. The film was met with commercial and critical success, and a sequel is already planned. I've been a cynic of the so-called DC Extended Universe ever since the atrocious Man of Steel, purposely avoiding films carrying its stench like Batman v. Superman, Suicide Squad, and Justice League (I haven't seen all of Wonder Woman yet or any Aquaman, those do have my interest). But I think if you tried to build a film specifically to be the anathema of such dreary drek, you would pretty much have something that looks like Shazam!, which is not only the best DCEU film I have seen by far, but may very well be DC's greatest. Ever. Really.
There is a certain expectation we all have of blockbuster superhero pictures going in, and that's an expectation that the films will have pretty much immaculate polish. Shazam! is no different, but I think it would be a little reductive to just say that and move on, because this is a gorgeous movie from top to bottom aesthetically. I would say the main character, Billy Batson, is maybe a little too clean shaven at the very start of the film but otherwise the makeup and costumes are spectacular as well. The action scenes are well shot and fun, but aren't the center of the film. Maybe the musical score isn't super memorable for me, but it elevates the filmwatching in the moment.
Superhero films are frequently dismissed as being samey narratives, but Shazam! proves just how different a film can execute a sort of story. What's especially cool is how tightly crafted it all feels in terms of how its themes interact with the story in fun ways I won't dare spoil. The characters are all fun, interesting, and don't feel tokenistic (at least, not to me. Obviously your mileage may vary), and they're benefited by great dialogue from Henry Gayden.
Shazam! is a comedy/action film though, so its humor has to be on point. And thankfully, it is. I'm not going to say it had me busting my gut throughout, but it's a charming sense of humor which fits tonally with the rest of the film. It's less bombastic, more homely (in the other sense, not as in ugly, lol). Comedy in cinema requires good actors, and Shazam!'s cast is up to the task. Even the child actors do great jobs, with Herman being a breakout in this with her delivery.
Shazam! is the first modern DC film that actually goes toe to toe with some of Marvel's best, such as Thor: Ragnarok and the Guardians of the Galaxy series. Finally. Not only is it good to see some level of competition, but I was also getting hella tired of being labeled a Marvel fanboy. Absolutely loved this, and am down to see more. Shazam! gets a 10/10 from me. It's a damn good film.
Masterful
Summary:
A delightful film that knows exactly what it is and does that perfectly. Peerless.
Shazam! is a 2019 superhero film directed by David F. Sandberg (Lights Out). Based on the character Captain Marvel who was created by C. C. Beck and Bill Parker and initially published by Fawcett Comics. It was released by Warner Bros. and DC featuring Asher Angel, Jack Dylan Grazer, Zachary Levi, Mark Strong, Grace Fulton, and Faithe Herman. The film was met with commercial and critical success, and a sequel is already planned. I've been a cynic of the so-called DC Extended Universe ever since the atrocious Man of Steel, purposely avoiding films carrying its stench like Batman v. Superman, Suicide Squad, and Justice League (I haven't seen all of Wonder Woman yet or any Aquaman, those do have my interest). But I think if you tried to build a film specifically to be the anathema of such dreary drek, you would pretty much have something that looks like Shazam!, which is not only the best DCEU film I have seen by far, but may very well be DC's greatest. Ever. Really.
(by @MessyPandas)
There is a certain expectation we all have of blockbuster superhero pictures going in, and that's an expectation that the films will have pretty much immaculate polish. Shazam! is no different, but I think it would be a little reductive to just say that and move on, because this is a gorgeous movie from top to bottom aesthetically. I would say the main character, Billy Batson, is maybe a little too clean shaven at the very start of the film but otherwise the makeup and costumes are spectacular as well. The action scenes are well shot and fun, but aren't the center of the film. Maybe the musical score isn't super memorable for me, but it elevates the filmwatching in the moment.
Superhero films are frequently dismissed as being samey narratives, but Shazam! proves just how different a film can execute a sort of story. What's especially cool is how tightly crafted it all feels in terms of how its themes interact with the story in fun ways I won't dare spoil. The characters are all fun, interesting, and don't feel tokenistic (at least, not to me. Obviously your mileage may vary), and they're benefited by great dialogue from Henry Gayden.
Shazam! is a comedy/action film though, so its humor has to be on point. And thankfully, it is. I'm not going to say it had me busting my gut throughout, but it's a charming sense of humor which fits tonally with the rest of the film. It's less bombastic, more homely (in the other sense, not as in ugly, lol). Comedy in cinema requires good actors, and Shazam!'s cast is up to the task. Even the child actors do great jobs, with Herman being a breakout in this with her delivery.
Shazam! is the first modern DC film that actually goes toe to toe with some of Marvel's best, such as Thor: Ragnarok and the Guardians of the Galaxy series. Finally. Not only is it good to see some level of competition, but I was also getting hella tired of being labeled a Marvel fanboy. Absolutely loved this, and am down to see more. Shazam! gets a 10/10 from me. It's a damn good film.
Masterful
Summary:
A delightful film that knows exactly what it is and does that perfectly. Peerless.
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