Shazam!
Shazam
Has DC finally found it’s calling? Could it be that they have finally cracked their own mysterious comic book code? Well I don’t know about all that, but I have been a DC fan since childhood and seeing them drop the ball so often I walked in without expecting much.
Shazam! opens fast. Within five minutes, we have been whisked out of 1970s middle-America and into some sort of magic castle, complete with a comically inappropriate wizard, seven imprisoned demons and really very little clue as to what is going on. Then we’re immediately in present-day Philadelphia, watching – finally – a bit of backstory about a completely different and apparently unrelated character. Then we’re in the castle again. It’s a dizzying and deeply enjoyable set up. By the time Shazam! does pause for breath and sits us down to explain some plot, we’re invested in its world enough already to actually enjoy the explanation.
This is Truly a joyfully silly film, however it’s extremely well written and thought-out. It’s jokes are up to date and keep the viewers engaged and doesn’t alienated any age group. Now don’t get me wrong, they did not re-invent the wheel here. It’s an unoriginal plot, but so was is any other super hero film out there. However, the approach of this film keeps it fresh and engaging.
If you’re a film fan you will see references to classic films as well and videogames that will bring back amazing childhood memories…and that is what this film is about bringing the inner child back out as it literally does in the film. In a genre that sometimes tries too hard to be taken seriously, Shazam takes the high road and embraces it’s idiocy and creates nothing more than a brilliant good-natured film. Although it might be a little on the scary side for the younger crowd hence its PG-13 rating, you will leave your seat wondering what super power you might want to have.
By Hiram Trillo
Shazam
-Action, Drama, Sci-fi
-Rated PG13
-131 min
