Logan Sork Film Reviews
Shazam!
Typically, when one thinks of DC, heroes like Superman, Batman or Wonder Woman come to mind. If you were to ask someone their opinion on Shazam, they are more likely to ask you the question of who exactly you’re talking about. With the sheer amount of comic book films being produced nowadays however, it was only a matter of time before some oft eh lesser known characters got the big screen treatment and Shazam! Has now arrived. I was really nervous about this movie. Not only did the trailers present a vibe that made it look like a washy family friendly film with no substance, but I was also worried that I wouldn’t be able to take the character seriously. I’m happy to report however that Shazam! Is absolutely fantastic. With great comedy, some unexpectedly dark moments, fantastic performances and a powerful message at its core, Shazam! Is a movie that everyone can have fun with and take seriously at the same time.
Shazam! Is directed by David F. Sandberg and stars Zachary Levi, Asher Angel, Jack Dylan Grazer and Mark Strong and is the 7th installment in the DC Extended Universe. The story follows Billy Batson (Angel), a young boy searching for his mother, who he was separated from years ago. When he is taken in by the authorities, he is placed in the care of a loving foster couple where he meets his foster brother Freddy (Grazer), a boy who is obsessed with superheroes. While Billy initially feels out of place with his foster siblings, he still shows he has good in his heart when he stops some bullies from beating up Freddy. This act causes him to be transported to the Rock of Eternity, the place where all magic originates where he meets a Wizard (Djimon Hounsou). Sensing his good, the Wizard grants Billy that power of Shazam, a word that will turn him into an older version of himself (Levi) and grant him various powers. With these powers granted to him, Billy must learn what it means to be a true hero and stop the evil Dr. Sivana (Strong) from wreaking havoc on the world with magic he stole from the Wizard.
Perhaps my biggest surprise with the film is how well it managed to be both hilarious and heartwarming as well as dark and sophisticated without feeling like two different movies. As anyone would think, the idea of a boy turning into a superhero is a pretty outrageous idea and the film has a lot of fun with it. The comedic elements in the film are absolutely hilarious, with most of the comedy stemming from the situation rather than some weird out of place joke as seen in other comic book franchises. This helps the humor feel organic rather than forced, resulting in a much more natural viewing experience for the audience.
However, when the film wants to be dark or have dramatic moments it pulls it off so well. There are so many moments in the film that took me off guard by bow mature they were. Whether it was a scene in which a boy searches for his mother, thinking that she may have moved on or a scene in which monsters gruesomely attack people, these were some truly shocking moments that really brought the film up for me. It showed that the filmmakers weren’t afraid to hold back and were willing to go the extra mile if it meant getting a better reaction rathe than playing it safe and boring. This is benefitted greatly by Sandberg’s horror background, as he really knows how to handle the darker moments as well as the lighter ones. What’s best about the film however is that when it wants to be funny, it’s funny, when it want’s to be scary, it’s scary, when it wants to be dramatic it manages it perfectly. In the hands of the wrong director and writer, the film’s tones would’ve clashed with one another, resulting in an unpleasant experience. Thankfully, this team balances them perfectly.
Sandberg also gets an assist from his actors as everyone turns in a fantastic performance. Zachary Levi plays Shazam perfectly, capturing exactly what it would be like if a young boy could turn into a superhero. From his mannerisms to his facial expressions, Levi perfectly captures the wonder that his character would feel in this situation and translates it perfectly. Jack Dylan Grazer is also fantastic as Billy’s foster brother and brings some great comedic energy as well as some surprisingly nuanced moments to the film. The actors portraying the foster family are all fantastic, with each bringing a warm yet realistic feel to their characters making them feel natural rather than your standard movie family. The real standout for me however was Mark Strong as the nefarious Dr. Sivana, who was responsible for some of the shocking moments mentioned earlier. It was so nice to see what is essentially a family film have a villain that held nothing back. This brought the film some weight, as anytime Strong was onscreen you felt a real sense of danger, causing you to root for our heroes more. All in all these terrific performances help elevate what is already an excellent film.
And then to top it all off you have a great message at its core. While there may be some great superhero action and some laugh out loud moments, Shazam! Is a film about family and how it impacts your life. It’s in the quieter moments that the film explores these family relationships and how it helps refine who you are. Whether it’s the scenes in which Billy searches for his mother, the scenes where Billy struggles to fit in with his new family or the scenes in which we see Sivana’s family life, there’s an underlying theme about family and how the people around us shape us for good or for worse. The film even takes these ideas in a different direction in certain places, proving once more that the filmmakers aren’t afraid to take risks or explore ideas different from what we are used to. It is in these moments where the film really shines and becomes so much more than your average superhero film.
This movie was an absolute blast from start to finish. From the excellent performances, to the fantastic direction and balancing of different tones, to the great central ideas at its core. This movie has it all. Add on some great superhero action and some heart and you have got yourself a unique film that will entertain all who see it and leave them with a little more than what they expected.
9/10