“Just say the word, and let my powers go through you.”
DC is bringing new meaning to the word, Shazam! in the latest superhero film about a foster kid, named Billy Batson who ends up discovering a hidden lair and a wizard who finds him pure in heart enough to transfer his powers to the kid in an attempt to save the world and of course, all he needs to do is say the word.
Based on the comic book which came out in 1939, the live action film brings Blly Batson to life on the big screen with a few slight moderations to the original comic, one being the fact that in the comic Billy’s parents both died. In the film, the filmmakers decide to change this with the belief of young Billy being separated from his mother at a carnival. Through this slight moderation, one sees a sense of urgency to find his mother, though he doesn’t know her name as he creates a search of all the Batson’s listed in the area. Of course the family he does have, a foster group, he ends up developing a rare bond with that ends up helping him in unexpected ways.
Shazam! stars Zachary Levi as Shazam and ultimately he brings a new definition to what it means to be a superhero. Honestly from the first transformation, Levi’s witty humor and chemistry with his younger counterparts will have audiences laughing at his banter as he attempts to discover all he can do with his powers. He uses his humor to fuel his discovery, though at first glance one might think he is rather naive in his actions as he and his foster brother Freddy (played by Jake Dylan Grazer) use modern day video recording to document all his powers.
All is fine until his arch nemisis, Dr. Silvana (Mark Strong) discovers the wizard found his hero and is now set on destroying him. The thing is will Batson be strong enough as Shazam to take down Dr. Silvana or is there a stronger force that can help him.
At two hours twelve minute run time, Shazam! is a traditional superhero movie with a slight twist as it actually has a deeper message to it, that is the importance of family even when it means not biologically connected. It’s a symbol of the idea that anyone can be a superhero, all it takes is a little bit of magic to make it happen.
Shazam! came out in theaters April 5, 2019 and is currently playing in one near you.