After the great success of Aquaman, many have been hoping that DC’s next film, Shazam! will live up to the brilliance of the film prior and I’m beyond glad to say it does. Moving from a horror centred background to the land of superheroes, director David Sandberg delivers a vision full of fun, heart and humour that is a must watch for everyone.
Sandberg like Wan before him, directed horrors such as Lights Out and Annabelle: Creation. There is a peculiar track record of directors jumping from horror to superheroes having great success. Look at Richard Donner who made The Omen, then two years later he made Superman. The film combines genre, with a mix of horror, comedy, action and adventure. That is a big reason why the film is a great success, it’s not bound by superhero tropes and is allowed room to breathe and become something arguably greater.
We follow Billy Batson (Asher Angel), a streetwise 14-year-old who is brought to a group home after escaping past foster family’s. One day when helping his foster brother Freddy (Jack Dylan Grazer), he is chased into the subway only for the train to stop at the wizard Shazam’s (Djimon Hounsou) cave. Billy is chosen as champion, magically transforming into the adult superhero Shazam (Zachary Levi) simply by shouting out one word. His powers soon get put to the test when he faces off against the evil Dr. Sivana (Mark Strong).
Shazam! is simply, wonderful. Full to the brim with a hysterical sense of humour, you will find yourself bursting out in laughter no doubt. It’s something quite different from the rest of DC, with definitely the greatness levels of Wonder Woman and Aquaman – it is a marvelous success that will please all.
What Shazam! has is a massive heart, it welcomes you with open arms and never fails to keep your attention. The family aspect is what truly makes the film unique with Jack Dylan Grazer, Grace Fulton, Zachary Levi and Asher Angel being highlights. Dylan Grazer with IT and Shazam! has proven himself to be a star in the waiting, he steals every scene and when paired with Levi they are an irresistibly perfect pair.
The childish nature that is embraced, is one that is entirely refreshing and Levi truly becomes Billy, the 14-year-old school kid. Guiding the film along is Sandberg’s direction, that doesn’t over-shine the story but neatly enhances the actor’s ace performances. Shazam! has a lot more darkness than expected and marketed, although little compared to the humour and fun of the film – Sandberg brings along some of his horror past, mainly seen through the perspective of Strong’s Dr. Sivana.
The dynamic between hero and villain is perfect, Strong is very knowingly playing an archetypal villain that enhances the hilarity factor in Levi’s child-like superhero. There is also some notably shocking twists that made the audience clap and woop mid-way and nearer to the end, so be ready because there are some hidden gems!
Shazam! is wonderfully hilarious film that is not to be missed.
4.5/5 Stars
Ben Rolph
SHAZAM! IS SET TO BE RELEASED ON APRIL 5TH IN THE UK & US
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