“Shazam!” hits theaters April 5 with a much different feel from the DC movies that have been released over the past few years.
Most of the recent Warner Brothers / DC Comics titles have been dark, brooding, serious efforts. With the possible exception of “Green Lantern”, but most people have forgotten about that one.
In a welcome departure from the doom and gloom formula, which I think has taken some of the fun out of the films, “Shazam!” is decidedly the anti-DC film. Gone are the heavy dark visuals, story tone and gravely voices.
Instead, “Shazam!” gives us the lightness of a superhero out in public during the day, taking selfies and having fun like only a 14-year old in a brand-new super body could, and talking with the excited voice and cadence of a teenager.
The (Back) Story
While not as well known as many of the other characters in the DC or Marvel Universe, Shazam has actually been around, in one form or another, longer than most.
Fawcett Comics created the character in 1939 to rival Superman, but with the name Captain Marvel. Yep…. Captain Marvel. “Marvel” got his name an acronym of the 6 gods who bestowed their powers upon him. After prolonged trademark and copyright battles, the name fell into public domain. Marvel comics seized the chance to acquire the name “Captain Marvel”, but not the character itself.
In 1972, DC Comics acquired Fawcett’s Marvel characters but could no longer use the name “Captain Marvel”, and SHAZAM! Shazam was born. Like “Marvel”, “Shazam” is an acronym of the 6 gods who have bestowed their powers upon the hero, but a different 6 gods. They had to make it work somehow, hence the funky name.
The (Movie) Story
Billy Batson is just like any other 14-year old teenager. Except he has bounced from foster home to foster home. The search for his birth mother, from whom he was separated as a young boy at a crowded carnival, lands him in trouble with the local authorities. Billy is given one more chance with a foster family that is home to five other foster children.
Reluctant to make new friends, Billy nonetheless strikes a kinship with another of the foster children, Freddy, who walks with a crutch. At school, the crutch draws the attention of the school bullies and Billy finds himself stepping in to defend his new friend. This selfless act draws the attention of an aging wizard who summons Billy as a new champion to carry on the powers of Shazam.
By simply saying the name “Shazam”, Billy is instantly transformed into an adult superhero, but still with Billy’s 14-year old mind, mannerisms and attitude. Think “Big” meets “Superman”. Billy struggles, just as any teenager would, with the responsibilities that come with great powers. He also struggles to identify exactly what those powers might be. To do so, he enlists Freddy’s help, and the two bond over the experience.
Unfortunately for Billy, he’s not the only one who is interested in his new powers. The big bad, Dr. Sivana, seeks out Billy to steal the powers of Shazam to bring his own version of darkness to the world.
Will his evil plan work?
Or will Billy find his family, learn to rely on the help of others and to master the powers of Shazam?
Is it good?
I enjoyed this movie more than I thought I would. It doesn’t take itself too seriously, and in doing so makes it easier to like. Zachary Levi as the grown-up Billy/Shazam was a perfect casting choice. Levi brings a natural boyish charisma, fun and lightness to the role, and makes it very easy to believe that he’s actually 14, not… however old Shazam is supposed to be.
The evolution of Billy from troublemaking loner to trusting and caring member of a functional family unit was gratifying to see. Spoiler alert: there is something of a gut-wrenching moment along the way for Billy, which is a little heartbreaking to watch as a parent, but ultimately necessary for Billy to realize what’s important to him.
As mentioned above, the brighter visuals, make the film more enjoyable to watch – not as doom and gloom. It also makes it more accessible for younger audiences. By younger, I mean maybe 9-10 years old.
Is it Good for Kids?
I wouldn’t recommend the movie for kids younger than 9 or 10. My son (who is 9 and usually a tough-guy) had to avert his eyes in a couple scenes. There is a car crash that sets up the backstory of the film’s villain, which freaked him out a little.
Additionally, the movie’s villain is imbued with the powers of the 7 deadly sins, and they occasionally manifest themselves as ugly gargoyle-like creatures and wreak some havoc. One corporate boardroom scene, in particular, had some fairly intense and gruesome imagery that my son did not like at all. As always, though, you know your kid better than anyone, so judge accordingly.
If, on the other hand, you have a kid 12 or older, they will like this movie. I think the fact that they can identify with a 14-year old superhero is attractive, and they will likely recognize some of Shazam’s behavior as something they would do. Not so much with Batman.
All in all, this is an enjoyable movie. Hopefully we get to see more of Shazam. And less doom and gloom.
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