*mild spoilers possible in discussion, major spoilers after the ads*
Summary:
Billy Batson (Asher Angel) just wants to find his mother so he runs away from foster home after foster home until he lands in Philadelphia. Then, his life takes a turn for the weird. He stumbles upon a wizard who transfers his powers to him. To access his powers, he must say the wizard’s name: Shazam (Zachary Levi) and poof he turns into a well-muscled adult version of himself with superpowers.
Additional Comments:
– In some senses the movie follows hero tropes very closely. In a few other places, it deviates from the norm for the better.
– It’s a fun, popcorn flick.
– There’s a good bit of comedy mixed in just because you have this kid experimenting with his powers. He’s by no means the perfect super hero, but he’s definitely learning along the way. Those flaws make him more relatable.
– DC also manages to pay homage to several of its more notable iconic superheroes.
– Casting was fantastic.
Darla (Faithe Herman) is absolutely adorable.
– Music choices worked.
– It doesn’t get a perfect score from me because there were definitely a few slow points and some teen drama that got irksome. (To be fair, I think it was necessary for the story they wanted to tell, but that doesn’t detract from the annoyed feeling conjured.)
Conclusion:
Perhaps the best DC movie I’ve ever seen. Definitely more fun on a big screen. Funniest moments recap in spoiler section.
Associate links to follow…
Amazon Prime
The Collins Case – 2 FBI agents track down a kidnapped family. Kid friendly.
If fantasy’s more your thing, go Redeemer Chronicles. The first, Awakening, is available as an audiobook.
Ashlynn’s Dreams Shorts – a kid deals with her parents’ divorce, bullies, and the wonder of discovery.
Try The Dark Side of Science – Genetically altered kids fight for the right to live.
OR
Spoilers:
Funniest Moments Recap:
– The convenience store robbery.
– Eugene’s obsession with video games. When we first meet him, he’s playing something violent and there are about 3 empty soda bottles next to him. The foster guy was like “no soda after dark” and Eugene’s like “when did it get dark?”
– Them buying beer, sipping, spitting, Billy’s comment “that takes like actual vomit,” and the next scene with them with armloads of junkfood.
– The villain’s major speech happening while they’re like a half-mile apart. Billy’s like “what are you saying” and it keeps cutting back to Thaddeus’s speech about cutting down every one of the people he loves.
– When the adult versions of the kids are exploring their powers. Super Hero Darla (Meagan Good) was still adorable.
