Written by Bill Friedell
In a year where major franchises such as Star Wars and the Marvel Cinematic Universe are reaching end-points in some form or another, it is exciting to see the birth of something new and refreshing. Shazam! (David Sandberg, 2019), while harkening back to adventure films like The Goonies (Richard Donner, 1985), brings a refreshing point of view not seen in most superhero films: a genuine sense of wonder. Combining drama, heart, humor, and unapologetic visuals, Shazam! brings flavor all its own and tells a beautiful story about family.
Shazam! follows Billy Batson (Djimon Hounsou), a foster child with a chip on his shoulder, who struggles with being adopted into a new family because he believes he can still find his birth mother. Meanwhile, Dr. Thaddeus Sivana (Mark Strong) searches for the power of the seven deadly sins of man. Unable to protect the world from the deadly sins, the wizard Shazam (Djimon Hounsou) must pass on his power to a champion before it is too late. Billy is chosen, becoming a fully adult superhero with strength, speed, and other amazing abilities and must stop Sivana and the seven deadly sins.
Shazam! follows Billy Batson (Djimon Hounsou), a foster child with a chip on his shoulder, who struggles with being adopted into a new family because he believes he can still find his birth mother. Meanwhile, Dr. Thaddeus Sivana (Mark Strong) searches for the power of the seven deadly sins of man. Unable to protect the world from the deadly sins, the wizard Shazam (Djimon Hounsou) must pass on his power to a champion before it is too late. Billy is chosen, becoming a fully adult superhero with strength, speed, and other amazing abilities and must stop Sivana and the seven deadly sins.
 Billy Batson (Asher Angel) on the streets of Philadelphia |  Freddy Freeman (Jack Dylan Grazer) records Billy's new abilities |
The acting overall is really strong, especially from the child actors. Asher Angel as Billy Batson and Jack Dylan Grazer as Freddy Freeman (one of Billy’s new foster brothers) particularly stand out as they are given the most to do (Grazer in particular). Their friendship and bond which develops throughout the film is the heart and rock which the film is built upon. Freddy, a superhero fan, guides Billy in terms of discovering his abilities which also beginning to heal the chip on Billy’s shoulder. But they don’t shy away from the reality of Freddy’s handicap, allowing for amazing moments of drama. Asher too shines as he deals with finding his birth mother and interacts with his new foster family. He perfectly plays a teenager who has been through a lot but is still ultimately good. He believably interacts with everyone in the cast and perfectly shows the progression his character must make in order to grow. He’s not perfect (far from it), but nobody is, and he has the potential to become great. That is why he is chosen, despite not being an ideal pick for a superhero.
Shazam (Zachary Levi) and Freddy Freeman (Jack Dylan Grazer) attempt to buy a lair
Zachary Levi (playing Billy’s adult alter ego, inheriting the name Shazam) also delivers, bringing a child-like disposition while also developing alongside Asher as Billy, balancing perfectly between the two actors. While at first, it may appear that Levi is playing the part too comically, considering Billy’s initial coldness towards his foster family and place in life. However, Levi’s performance paradoxically captures a kid becoming an adult and regaining his childhood. By engaging with a child-like fantasy, he gains a sort of playfulness that any kid in his situation would have, playing with his powers in immature ways to learn more about them, such as putting them on Youtube.
From a directorial standpoint, David F. Sandberg brings a balance of darkness and light that complement rather than weaken each other. Coming from the horror genre, he employs his horror toolbox with Dr. Sivana’s scenes, creating a threat with true weight because of the filmmaking, supporting the story being told. Sivana is the perfect foil for Billy, being the product of a family who didn’t support him and belittled him. He and Billy share a sense of loneliness as per their family situation. The difference is their response.
From a directorial standpoint, David F. Sandberg brings a balance of darkness and light that complement rather than weaken each other. Coming from the horror genre, he employs his horror toolbox with Dr. Sivana’s scenes, creating a threat with true weight because of the filmmaking, supporting the story being told. Sivana is the perfect foil for Billy, being the product of a family who didn’t support him and belittled him. He and Billy share a sense of loneliness as per their family situation. The difference is their response.
Thaddeus Sivana (Tom Strong) stands against Shazam (Zachary Levi) as opposites of each other
Sandberg also handles the action well. While the scale is relatively small in comparison to other DC Universe movies, the action is shot coherently and finds inventive ways to use their powers and riff on tropes of superhero fights. One of the major set pieces of “action” is Billy rescuing a bus from falling from a bridge. While some might say these scarier Savanna scenes may be too much for younger audiences, the film is PG-13, so there is warning that this isn’t for little kids. And none of these scenes are gory, just intense imagery or savage attacks from the Seven Sins.
While the film’s humor comes from playing with superhero tropes, such as learning about what superpowers you have and the fact that Billy and Freddy come from a world where Superman, Batman, Womder Woman, and the Justice League exist. While Deadpool (Tim Miller, 2016) does this, it takes a more wonderous approach, instead of the more mean-spirited attitude of Deadpool. While Deadpool is a mostly cynical film with a hidden heart underneath, Shazam!
While the film’s humor comes from playing with superhero tropes, such as learning about what superpowers you have and the fact that Billy and Freddy come from a world where Superman, Batman, Womder Woman, and the Justice League exist. While Deadpool (Tim Miller, 2016) does this, it takes a more wonderous approach, instead of the more mean-spirited attitude of Deadpool. While Deadpool is a mostly cynical film with a hidden heart underneath, Shazam!
 Deadpool breaks the fourth wall and makes fun of superhero cliches |  Shazam's humor comes from a kid's perspective on superheroes and adulthood, working more on situation and character |
The overall cinematography and use of color are a lot more mature and overall better looking than most superhero films today. While there is a lot of grey winter weather, Sandberg and cinematographer Maxime Alexandre make excellent use of the color red, making it easier to follow Billy as himself and as an adult. Even the bright yellow lightning bolt logo makes tracking the character in action sequences at night a million times easier.
Shazam! Is perhaps the most thematically well-handled film since Wonder Woman (Patty Jenkins, 2017). By focusing Billy’s arc around letting himself be open to family outside of those directly related to him, contrasted by Sivanna’s hate and dismissal of his own family, the film powerfully shows the joy and power in a family standing together in a truly unique way (I won’t divulge how, seeing as that contains spoilers). The foster parents and other foster kids: Freddy, Eugene (Ian Chen), Mary (Grace Fulton), Pedro (Jovan Armand), and Darla (Faithe Herman) are all unique from each other in appearance and personality, sharing great chemistry with each other, making it satisfying to see each other bond and accept Billy into their self-made family.
Shazam! Is perhaps the most thematically well-handled film since Wonder Woman (Patty Jenkins, 2017). By focusing Billy’s arc around letting himself be open to family outside of those directly related to him, contrasted by Sivanna’s hate and dismissal of his own family, the film powerfully shows the joy and power in a family standing together in a truly unique way (I won’t divulge how, seeing as that contains spoilers). The foster parents and other foster kids: Freddy, Eugene (Ian Chen), Mary (Grace Fulton), Pedro (Jovan Armand), and Darla (Faithe Herman) are all unique from each other in appearance and personality, sharing great chemistry with each other, making it satisfying to see each other bond and accept Billy into their self-made family.
Thanks to its excellent talent, from acting, directing, cinematography, writing, and production, Shazam! creates a refreshing blend of humor and heart. It doesn’t shy away from the darkness and drama in the story but finds balance in the humor and hope. It’s the kind of superhero film that can make even the oldest of moviegoers feel like a kid again.
