The following review is SPOILER FREE, but be wary if you want to go into Shazam! not knowing anything about the film.
With the wisdom of Solomon, the strength of Hercules, the stamina of Atlas, the power of Zeus, the courage of Achilles and the speed of Mercury, DC’s Shazam! delivers a movie reminiscent of Richard Donner‘s Superman.
While the movie isn’t released until April 5, lucky viewers in the US and UK were treated to special screenings over the past week and I managed to attend one.
It’s safe to say I wasn’t disappointed by the finished product.
Shazam! sees Zachary Levi take on the role of the original Captain Marvel. As an orphan Billy Batson (Asher Angel) floats from Foster family to Foster family until fate drops him in a lap of a family with five other Foster kids.
When he saves his sibling Freddy Freeman (Jack Dylan Grazer) from bullies he is transported to a strange location where he meets a Wizard known as Shazam (Djimon Hounsou).
The cast is strong and the chemistry is electric, but it is the portrayals from Zachary Levi, Jack Dylan Grazer and Mark Strong that bring the heart, depth and fear.
Before being cast as the title character, Zachary Levi was known to fans as Chuck (Chuck) and Flynn Rider (Tangled). However, it’s fair to say after his turn as this lovable hero they will be in the rear view mirror.
It may be cliché now to say someone was ‘born to play the part’ but it is true in Levi’s case.
If under the wrong actor the character could come off as goofy and over-the-top but Levi brings levity to the child in an adult’s body.
There is a lot of humor in Levi’s performance, but there are also a couple of scenes that will remind audiences of Christopher Reeve‘s Superman.
Not to mention, there are moments where he will make you tear up.
Jack Dylan Grazer (It) plays Freddy Freeman, one of Billy Batson’s foster brother and all-round Superhero lover. For most of the movie Grazer plays a major role in the hilarity, but there are moments where he will be a surprise.
It isn’t until the end of the Second Act where he shows his full range as Freddy, who longs to be the very thing he loves.
Mark Strong is a versatile actor and this isn’t his first time in a DC Movie, although it seems this time it will do better.
Even though Strong was perfect as Sinestro, it is Dr Thaddeus Sivana that he will be remembered for.
There is a scene with Sivana that will make the movie seem like a Horror and part of that comes down to Strong’s ability to create complex, but horrifying villains.
It’s a testament to Strong that he can play a horrifying villain but also makes the audience feel empathetic.
A special mention also goes to the kids who play the Foster children.
As Mary Bromfield Grace Fulton (Annabelle: Creation) is the emotional crutch of the group who the other kids rely on. It is her second collaboration with David F. Sandberg, and hopefully, it won’t be the last.
Faithe Herman (This is Us) is the energetic Darla Dudley who only wants to be the best sibling she can be. Even if that means not doing something she loves to.
Ian Chen (Fresh off the Boat) is humorous as the video game loving Eugene Choi. He is the stereotype of a 21st Century child, but he shouldn’t be written off for that. There is more to him than what meets the eye.
Jovan Armand (The Middle) plays the quiet Pedro Peña who keeps to himself, yet proves he is there when his siblings need him.
It isn’t just the cast that is strong though as the directing from David F. Sandberg and the story by Henry Gayden and Derren Lemke create a solid foundation.
Sandberg creates something special with Shazam! and brings his previous stints in Horror movies to add genuinely terrifying moments.
His love for the character is noticeable within his work, especially with the choice of music during the training scene.
There isn’t much else I can say in terms of story or Direction without spoiling. After the movie’s release, a spoiler-filled review will also release.
In short, Shazam! is a hit for DC and a sequel seems to already be on the studio’s
Have you seen Shazam! yet? Tell us your spoiler free thoughts below!
