Review of Shazam! (2019) by Htgamer — 04 Apr 2019

Shazam! is a funny superhero movie (although not as funny as, say, Deadpool), and an homage to one of the oldest and least known superheroes in the history of comic books. This is the original Captain Marvel, who has to call himself Shazam nowadays due to an old DC lawsuit against its creators for copying Superman and the Captain Marvel name having been trademarked by Marvel Comics.

This movie may not be the most original in its genre (ironically Shazam and Doctor Sivana's dynamic resembles that of Superman and Lex Luthor, a superhero against a bald and mad scientist), but makes up for it with a funny and touching script themed around family. True to this theme, the movie even introduces Shazam's (or rather, Captain Marvel's) Marvel Family. In juxtaposition, Shazam's enemy Doctor Sivana has clear family issues. Sure there are a few plot missteps here and there (particularly the sub-plot about Billy Batson's mother which could have been handled in a better way), but it's mostly a great story. There are also a few connections with the wider DC universe, culminating in a faceless Superman making a silent cameo in the ending. In the mid-credits scene, the movie introduces Mister Mind, one of the most obscure DC villains.

Zachary Levi is great as Shazam, but I loved the buddy duo of Asher Angel and Jack Dylan Grazer as Billy Batson and Freddy respectively. Mark Strong and Djimon Hounsou weren't as good in their roles as Doctor Sivana and the wizard Shazam.

I liked this movie and definitely want a sequel.