'Shazam!' Review: Three Reasons To See It

Even though it was expected, Warner. Bros. recently confirmed that they’re moving in yet another new direction with the DCEU, this time away from being so tightly bound to the concept of a shared universe. As such, David F. Sandberg’s Shazam! is the first DC movie to hit theaters after that announcement, and coming a few months after the aquatic juggernaut that was Aquaman. The tone of the new superhero flick is wildly different than anything DC has done to date – think Big meets Superman. When foster kid Billy Batson (Asher Angel) is chosen by an ancient wizard to be his champion on Earth, it grants the teenager with phenomenal powers and the ability to turn into the – very much adult – superhero Shazam (Zachary Levi)!

So how does it stack up to the rest of the DCEU? Here are three reasons to see Shazam! when it hit theaters on April 5th.

1. Zachary Levi Is Born For This Role

There are multiple dozens of actors playing some iteration of a superhero – or villain – right now, but of that mass of capes and cowls, only a handful feel like they were truly born to play the role. The ones who, once they’ve filled the shoes of that character, you can’t really imagine anyone else pulling it off. That is Zachary Levi with Shazam (just don’t call him “Captain Sparklefingers”). I’ll be honest – the first act of the movie – which is a generic origin story as many superhero movies are prone to telling – drags quite a bit. Asher Angel holds his own, but there’s only so much you can do with Act I setup and exposition.

When Levi shows up, however, the entire tone of the movie changes, exploding into a big, spandex ball of fun. Shazam! isn’t a movie that takes itself seriously, but it takes its job of entertaining you seriously. In an interview I did with director David F. Sandberg, he mentioned the irony of filming: Angel had the lion’s share of the heavy, emotional scenes, whereas Levi was mostly free to handle the childlike excitement of a 14-year-old kid suddenly discovering he’s a superhero. Levi’s infectious enthusiasm is most evident in his scenes with Jack Dylan Grazer (Freddy Freeman), whose chemistry with Levi sends popping banter ping-ponging between the two in some of the funniest scenes in the movie. As a physical comedian, Levi embraces the zany: arms flapping, gestured exaggerated, and the big facial expressions of a kid who hasn’t yet had fears of not being cool enough ground into him. Some fans were skeptical of the old school look of Shazam’s costume when the first set pics leaked. But it really works here – Levi’s cornball, irreverent approach to the character would have felt distinctly odd had he been rocking one of the dark-hued, military-style armored costumes that have inundated comic book movies in recent years.

2. The Found Family Concept Gives It Genuine Heart

Shazam! might not take itself seriously, but that doesn’t mean it’s without any depth. The movie pivots around the idea of family, both biological and found. As a foster kid, Billy is desperate to find a place to belong but terrified of trusting anyone. He struggles with letting go of the mother who never wanted him and accepting the foster family that does. It’s clear five minutes into him meeting the foster family that it’s absolutely where he belongs – even if he isn’t ready to accept it lest it make him vulnerable. It’s a testament to Henry Gayden’s screenplay and Sandberg’s direction that that foster family isn’t just a bunch of interchangeable pawns whose stories are sacrificed around the chessboard of the larger story. As Billy’s foster parents, Rosa and Victor Vasquez (Marta Milans and Cooper Andrews) are genuinely good people with big, loving hearts, and it extends to their quirky foster kids, each with their own endearing personalities and parts to play, parts that matter. It infuses the movie with a genuine warmth and endearing sweetness without ever dipping into hokiness – a rarity in superhero moveis, which sometimes seems to be in a competition to see which can be the most dire or destroy the most square footage.

3. A Legit Plot Twist That (Most People) Won’t See Coming

If you read the New 52 comic books (or have read up on spoilers), then you already know the plot twist I’m talking about. If you haven’t, however, there is a third act plot twist that us a genuine “Holy SH–!!” reveal, one of those audience-bonding moments where you want to stand up and cheer, whooping with laughter in your seat. In an era of social media and rabid fans, almost nothing is sacred. Plot points are spoiled, set pics leak, and rumors abound. It’s a testament to DC that they managed to keep it well under wraps, taking a page from Marvel’s playbook and wisely keeping most of the footage in the marketing focused squarely on the first and second acts. It makes me want to see this movie again with an unsuspecting friend just so I can turn to them at that reveal and watch their reaction – that’s how much fun it is.

All told, Shazam! is yet another hit for DC. It’s solid proof that the studio has finally figured things out and – wisely – will continue to embrace this standalone format, allowing their casts and crews to play in the sandbox while doing their own thing.

Shazam! is in theaters on April 5th. You can buy your tickets here.