Shazam⚡️ Spoiler Free Review!
If you’re thinking about whether or not you’re going to see this movie, I say go for it! Even though Shazam is done by New Line Cinema and it’s tone isn’t like the other films, it is such a genuine story that really makes you feel like you’re not only peeking into the world of the character, but you’re being invited to come inside.
It’s not easy to expose viewers to you’re own interpretation of magic sometimes - it can feel extremely hokey if they don’t buy it - but Shazam makes it work! In fact, I’d say they captured two types of magic that are completely separate in style and it was really visually dynamic! The first end credit scene (there’s TWO, by the way!) only promises more, so you know that if it does well, the story isn’t over yet!
Each of the characters had their own storylines too, making them all relevant every time you saw them. The diversity in this film is not only extensive, but it’s seamless. It makes sense and it’s not shoehorned in to make the film look modern. Their cultures matter, they exist like people do, and they all function in the same story on the same level. Even Pedro, who is the most quiet kid in the film, feels relevant. I actually really want to see more of him!
All in all, the first act will make you intrigued. The second act kinda slows while also feeling realistic - what would a real kid do with superpowers he got overnight? But that third act... even though I knew what was coming, I was incredibly happy to see it unfold on screen! My theatre even cheered! We clapped at the end (no matter how you feel about that, at least we know people liked it)!
So I’d give Shazam a 7.5/10! I want to give an 8, but I need to give it a second viewing to know if it’ll bump up for me. Very fun and incredibly entertaining, but it doesn’t have the pacing of Wonder Woman or Aquaman since Billy is a child learning what he can do in his own backyard, not an adult man looking for a trident across the sea.
In my DCEU movie ranking overall, it’d be fifth out of seven! But please don’t think that just because it’s not my number one that it wasn’t good - our DCEU just has some amazing heavy hitters, so top five is a great place to be! ~ Maiden