Holy Moly! The SHAZAM! movie is finally out, and it was awesome.

I do have to agree with other reviews that the beginning was kind of slow and awkward. If you know the origins of Shazam, the opening can be a little long; but if you don’t, you might see it as more interesting. But once Billy get’s on the subway train…heh, heh, the fun begins.

They did a really good job balancing the movie. It wasn’t too dark/serious and not too comical/silly. You had some serious, emotional moments–and some intense moments–layered with some humor.

The Shazam costume looked a lot like it does it in the comics. It almost looked like it was taken right off the page. I mean, there were some differences but not enough to really matter. I liked how they went with the bright red instead of trying to make it a dark red or muted red.

The acting was well done. The actors seemed to get along; they seemed to know their character and how they would react. Nothing seemed forced or unnatural. Zachary Levi did an excellent job of pretending to be a 14-year-old in an adult’s body. Sometimes when they have those “age shift” movies, the actor acts too silly and comes off as acting younger than the age they are supposed to be. For instance, they are supposed to be a 14-year-old but the adult actor acts more like a 6-year-old.

I did have a problem with how when Billy was Billy he was serious and kind of mopey; but when he was Shazam, he was a little more immature and kid-like. It seemed like an awkward unexplained shift. I can kind of give it a pass because he is hanging out with Freddy. When you’re hanging out with friends, especially when you’ve been on your own like Billy had been, you let loose. Plus, as Shazam, he was a powerful adult thus probably feeling more like he could let down his defenses.

All the Easter Eggs also made the movie enjoyable, like the nod to the movie Big at the toy store or the Mr. Mind reveal. Also John Glover, who played Lex Luthor’s father on Smallville, plays Sivana’s father. In the Shazam! movie, Sivana’s father is a wealthy jerk…just like Lex’s father. Sivana is a bald genius. Lex is also a bald genius.

Finally, I liked that Freddy and Billy never came up with a superhero name. They go through hundreds of names but never settle on one. It was a nice nod to the comics where Billy’s hero name is a little unclear. Is it Captain Marvel? Is it Shazam? Is it just Billy?

I had a hard time finding things wrong with it. I’d really like to see it again and use more critical thinking. I don’t think it was a perfect movie, but it was pretty close. If DC can continue this balance of serious and humor–don’t have the movies be kiddy-goofy but also don’t make them apocalyptic-gloomy either, I think their movie future will be bright. 4.98/5

Other SHAZAM! related videos–contains spoilers.

Shazam! End Credits Scene Explained (SPOILERS!) by IGN

Shazam!’s Big DC Superhero Cameo Revealed by IGN

Sparks of Rebellion is available for preorder. It releases April 19, 2019.

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