Screen Scene of a Geek: SHAZAM! NON

Okay, Reader.

So I was supposed to technically have this up before the end of the night on Sunday, but I was having some trouble with time between this and other work I had to do...

Does publishing it before I go to sleep technically count as posting it the same day? Probably not, but I'm going to do it anyway.

Below you will find my non-spoiler review for the upcoming DC Superhero Film, SHAZAM!

I may or may not publish a spoiler review after the film has been out for a few weeks, based on the feedback/response I get to this review.

Enjoy!

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SHAZAM! NON-SPOILER REVIEW

Written by M. Botte
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Ever have a moment where you felt like fate was calling;
when events fall into place and an opportunity unlike any other presents itself?

While I am, unfortunately, not describing myself stumbling upon
a wizard in a cave who gave me the powers of the gods in the form of a superhero,
I am describing how I am among the lucky few who had the chance to see the upcoming DC superhero film,
SHAZAM!

Although I am mostly a Marvel fan, I felt drawn to this film ever since it was announced that Zachary Levi
would be headlining the film in the titular role - which was more than enough to convince me to
see it in the theaters.
However, the more I learned about the character, the more excited I was to see him come to the big screen.
I identify with being an adult whose weakness is being a kid on the inside from the Philly area.

Based on the character’s 2011 reboot comics, the film chronicles the story of Billy Batson (played by Asher Angel), a runaway kid searching for his mother and rejecting any foster family that gives him a chance. After fighting bullies who are hurting his geeky and crippled foster brother, Freddy (played by Jack Dylan Grazer), Billy is chased into a subway train, only to be transported into the presence of a godlike wizard who chooses Billy as the champion of the Council of Eternity’s dying lineage. Bestowed upon Billy is the ability to transform into a superpowered adult (played by Zachary Levi) by saying, “Shazam!” - and with Freddy’s help, he harnesses his powers to achieve celebrity status on YouTube and become Philadelphia’s mascot hero. However, when supervillain Dr. Sivana (played by Mark Strong) threatens Billy’s life as a hero and as a kid, it’s up to Billy to stop running from his fears.
Will he become a hero for himself and for his newfound family before it’s too late?

From all of the marketing for this film, I had many expectations. Due to the unfortunate fallout of the DC cinematic universe as a result of 2017’s Justice League, Shazam! had to be good for the sake of the whole film franchise’s future. The team making the movie aimed for it to be more humorous and upbeat than any other film that came before it in this continuity, but I hoped it would balance the comedy and fun with heartfelt character moments and genuine emotional stakes, showcased in solid performances from what appeared to be a promising cast. It also needed to have some decent cinematography, editing, and action sequences, despite being shot on a ridiculously small budget (by superhero movie standards) of $67 million.

Going into the theater, I remained optimistic but critical of the film, as I did not want to be biased by my love for the film’s lead star, the setting, or the fact that it was my first ever early screening.

Image result for shazam early access screening

However, I can say without bias that SHAZAM! was an absolute blast - enough so that I wholeheartedly consider it the best movie in the DCEU. Despite some incredibly minor flaws, SHAZAM! more than just met my expectations; it exceeded them in unexpected ways. Overall, the film felt like a perfect mix between the modern superhero film and films of the past in the genre. Like the 2018 Sony Marvel film, Venom, it is a love letter to the classics, but does not ride solely on nostalgia to get by. It is full of fun, heart, and surprises, crossing into the horror, thriller, drama, action, and comedy genres throughout it's 2 hour 12 minute runtime. It pays homage to the DCEU and DC brand overall in many ways - such as directly adapting elements from the comics to the big screen - but, most importantly, it feels like the film that DC both desperately needed and deserved.

Zachary Levi was born to play this superhero role, as he not only delivers a (Za)charismatic performance full of Lev(i)ty to the film, but he also reels in the feels in a few heartstring-tugging moments sprinkled throughout his screen time. He not only compliments, but fully embodies Asher Angel’s acting chops into his own mannerisms, and subverts the stereotypical superhero type in the best ways, both in physical appearance by lacking a 6 pack, and in his character’s behavior at first. Levi totally encapsulates how superheroes who are typically a beacon of hope and goodness can also at times be reckless, afraid, and make mistakes.

Asher Angel is a perfect counterpart to Levi, and also holds his own in giving a emotionally wide-range performance. Jack Dylan Grazer - while he has amazing chemistry with both Angel and Levi - steals the scenes he shows up in. Mark Strong as Dr. Sivana is cold and ruthless in contrast, although he is written as a cliche, one-dimensional supervillain. The rest of the supporting cast (with the exception of a few flat performances from flashback characters) leave their mark despite not having equal screen time to each other.

Image result for shazam 2019 foster family

Director David F. Sandberg brilliantly adapts the comics and the sometimes cliche but sometimes surprising script to screen. He includes breathtaking visuals and editing that flawlessly blend CGI with practical elements - which look better than films with double the budget - and fills the film with references/easter eggs for fans of the comics and of the greater DCEU to gush over. According to the big “Shazfan” of a friend I brought to the screening, the film’s characters, settings, and even certain scenes look as though they’ve been ripped right from the comic panels, and the allusions to the DC film universe beyond leave the door open for original DCEU actors or recasted ones to appear in future installments, although the small stakes adventure keeps the audience’s attention on its own - even with some pacing problems in between the acts and finale.

To score this film, I’d give it a 9.5 out of 10; taking off half points for the following;

-.1 for one dimensional antagonists (Sivana and the bullies)

-.1 for flat acting performances (younger versions of a few characters)

-.1 for some cliche story beats (toss up between predictable and surprising)

-.1 for pacing between the three acts (third act/finale too long)

-.1 for uneven screen time for costars
(the foster family members each had their moments, but they could have been balanced out for screen time)

With solid leading performances, decent writing, a visceral cinematography and editing style, and inclusions that pay tribute to all that came before it,
SHAZAM! is a superhero movie event you won't want to miss.

SHAZAM! officially arrives in theaters April 4th & 5th in the U.S.

A huge thank you goes out to Fandango, Regal Cinemas, Warner Brothers, New Line, and DC,
for hosting an early access screening in my area, and for making tickets available for purchase online and in advance!

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Any questions or suggestions for me?
Feel free to get in touch with me by emailing
screensceneofageek@gmail.com

I might expand into more social media
if I continue running this blog
after the college course is done,
but for now, you can direct message me
on Instagram - @stealthabotte

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