Say his name and success will flow through DC

DC/Warner continues streak of success with “SHAZAM!”

Zachary Levi and Jack Dylan Grazer in “Shazam!” (DC Comics/Warner Bros.)

Eric Tyulyandin, Head Design Editor
April 5, 2019

After the success of 2018’s “Aquaman” and the remembered glory of 2017’s “Wonder Woman,” DC Comics and Warner Bros. have a lot of pressure with “SHAZAM!” This movie, however, continues with the success of those two movies, as it is one of the greatest, if not the greatest DC and Warner Brothers movie yet.

Zachary Levi, who plays the titular character, is secretly 14 year old boy Billy Batson, played by Asher Angel. Batson is chosen by the reclusive wizard Shazam to be the new champion of his powers. By screaming, “Shazam!” Batson turns into an adult with the powers of super strength, speed, flight, invulnerability, the powers of Zeus and other abilities.

Shazam is actually not the first, or only, champion of the wizard. Doctor Thaddeus Sivana, played by Mark Strong, is the villain of the movie. Sivana was a possible champion of the wizard who is then deemed “unworthy,” and goes after Batson for taking the responsibility Sivana thought belonged to himself.

“SHAZAM!” was absolutely hilarious. Every joke hit its mark perfectly. There are jokes of characters making fun of other characters, such as their age, that are charming and feel fresh because they are not used much. There is also one moment towards the end where suspense and drama gets built up for a punchline that is absolutely hilarious and well done.

There is satire in the movie too. The movie references and makes fun of many classic movie tropes, like a villain monologuing from far away. The movie makes fun of tropes such as destructive hero vs villain battles, villain monologuing and dramatic expositionary monologues in general.

The effects are also done really well. There can be times in a movie where things seem artificial or like they are from an old PlayStation 2 game. The visuals in “SHAZAM!” are not the case. The effects are well done and the powers, spectacular. Sivana releases the Seven Deadly Sins onto the world and they all look convincing and absolutely terrifying.

There are four outstanding breakout characters within the movie. Sivana and Shazam themselves are incredible. The other two characters are two of Batson’s five foster siblings, Freddie and Darla. Freddie is a great, kooky and fun character, and Darla is one of the most adorable characters in the movie and her humor is just as great. Zachary Levi also does an incredible job portraying a typical 14 year old who becomes a 30 year old superhuman. Not only is it fun and funny, but it is convincing too.

“SHAZAM!” is a movie that has to be seen if you want a good time at the movies. Do not judge the movie from the trailers as they have undermined the movie and made it almost tv-esque. “SHAZAM!” is not only dramatic and cinematic, but a super fun experience that just draws you into it too.

This movie is the best superhero movie from DC yet and the best movie in general from the later half of 2018 and so far into 2019. It highly recommend that anyone and everyone should see the movie who can within the time it will be in theaters.