There are a lot of unique superheroes, but there aren't a lot quite like Shazam (originally known as Captain Marvel in the comics). A young boy who can transform into a grown adult with superpowers? It's basic childhood wish fulfillment. It's been a long time since the character's last live action depiction, but here we are with a feature film and set within the larger DC Extended Universe. It can be best described as "Big" meets "Superman" as 14 year old Billy Batson learns the ins and outs of powers bestowed on him by an ancient wizard. If the trailers weren't any indication, the film is laugh out loud funny and is thus far the most fun entry in the DCEU.
Something I really found unique about the film is how it's very down to Earth compared to the other DC films so far. Our hero isn't rich or has their powers written into their DNA; Billy Batson is just a normal kid given great abilities. It's also worth noting that this film is set in a post-"Justice League" world and we get to see how accepted superheroes have become in normal society. We see kids wearing t-shirts and carrying backpacks featuring logos of Batman, Superman, Aquaman, and Wonder Woman, as well as a variety of toys based on Batman and Superman. It's very reminiscent of the post-"Avengers" MCU, and shows the DCEU's come a long way since the shaky trust people had in Superman way back in "Man of Steel". It also sets a standard Billy needs to aspire to in his journey as a hero.
As Billy Batson, Asher Angel does a great job as the troubled teen as we see him long to find his birth mother and slowly becoming close with those in his foster family. As Shazam, Zachary Levi is spectacular. It's absolute fun as we watch him slowly discover his various powers with childlike wonder; you can really believe he's a kid in the body of the adult. There's also good development as we watch him use his powers for fun and mostly being a superhero-in-name-only to becoming what it means to be a true one. The best contrast between the two is in their demeanor. Shazam is basically Billy's escape from the pain he feels inside, with Billy coming off as the more serious character while Shazam allows him to be a big kid with initially no worries.
While each of Billy's foster siblings are unique and entertaining in their own way, none of them steal the show as Jack Dylan Grazer does as Freddy Freeman (though Darla comes in second). In addition to being Billy's roommate, eventual best friend, and confidante, Freddy's superhero fanboy tendencies allow him to be Shazam's superhero coach. The excitement he shows in conjunction with Zachary Levi's as Shazam just adds to the hilarity of their scenes together. I think a lot of fans can relate to Freddy's encyclopedic-like knowledge from trying to instill superhero values into Billy and how to handle supervillains.
Speaking of villains, Mark Strong, who has previously portrayed evil characters in "Kick-Ass" and "Sherlock Holmes", delivers another great antagonistic role as Dr. Sivana. The flashback scene to his childhood shows a clear motivation, and the film does a good job at making him feel as if he's the hero of the story. His allies in the Seven Deadly Sins are also pretty monstrous looking, if not somewhat generically demonic.
This brings me to a parallel I saw between Billy, Freddy, and Sivana: they each want to feel like they matter with a sense of belonging. Billy seeks to find his birth mother, believing he matters to her as much as she does to him, closing himself off from anyone else who may actually care about him. Freddy has a hard time at school as no one seems to be able to look past the crutch he walks with to want to be his friend; wanting to be a part of Billy's journey as Shazam is both Freddy wanting to form a friendship and live out his own dreams vicariously through Billy. Sivana's family treated him poorly and he was denied the powers of Shazam when he failed the wizard's test, which lead to his alliance with the Sins, who are essentially using him for their own means. Between these three, I think the clear message of the movie is that family is important as long as it's the right one.
If there's one problem I do have with the movie, it's that certain characters who are technically meant to be abusive or bullies, but lack real depth. Sivana's father and brother are cruel to him as a child and continue to belittle him as an adult; it's no wonder why he turned out evil, but amazing he survived childhood. There are also these bully brothers who consistently pick on Freddy, with their first appearance in the film them grazing Freddy with their truck and start beating him when they notice his crutch scratched it. To reiterate, they are assaulting a kid who walks with a crutch; that's one dimensional "bully in a Stephen King story" levels of dickishness. And unlike Sivana's family, they never get any real comeuppance by the end.
There's definitely some set-up for a sequel, with an appearance from a villain I won't spoil here. If I have any hopes for future Shazam movies, it's that we finally see Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson as Black Adam. Not only is Black Adam hinted at in this film, but Rock was cast in the role ELEVEN YEARS AGO; I think it's time for some payoff. Apparently they're wanting to debut Black Adam in his own movie, but I think it'd be much better to have him face Shazam and then do his own movie if it's warranted. Besides that, if we ever get another Justice League movie, it'd be pretty cool to see Shazam alongside heroes like Wonder Woman and Aquaman; it would definitely add a new dynamic to the group.
Overall, the best word to use to describe "Shazam" is just "fun", giving DC back-to-back movie victories. Its simple nature is a nice change of pace compared to the large epic scopes of other recent superhero films. With lots of comedy and action with a pinch of emotional drama, "Shazam" has something for everyone to enjoy and can most assuredly bring out the kid inside.
My DC Extended Universe Film Rankings:
1. Aquaman
2. Wonder Woman
3. Shazam
5. Man of Steel
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