While cautious about getting ahead of oneself, it would appear that the light is finally shining down on the DC Extended Universe. After what can (rather kindly) only be described as a rocky start, the rival to Disney's Marvel Cinematic Universe has finally found a more confident footing. 2017's Wonder Woman delivered a defining moment for both the franchise and the wider superhero genre, while 2018's Aquaman provided a watershed moment as it whizzed past the billion-dollar barrier. Warner Bros are hoping that the momentum will continue for Shazam!, the seventh instalment in their DCEU, which could prove once and for all that they have discovered their mojo.
Billy Batson bounces from foster home to foster home, unable to make any meaningful relationships. When he is one day transported to a different realm and granted the power of transformation by an ancient wizard, he becomes a godlike adult superhero by uttering the word "Shazam!". With earth-saving responsibilities but without the understanding of how to use his new powers, Billy attempts to acclimatise to his new alter ego as a nefarious villain starts to wreak havoc on the universe in the name of revenge. Starring Zachary Levi and Asher Angel as Billy/Shazam, and with additional performances from Jack Dylan Grazer and Mark Strong, Shazam! is a bouncy sugar rush of a superhero flick with charm to spare.
For two-thirds of its runtime, Shazam! understands exactly the film it wants to be. Even when we arrive at the overbloated, overstuffed climatic third act, it still has its eye firmly set on such a vision - but is too pressured by genre conventions that dictate it play bigger. After a wobbly opening fifteen minutes that launch the film on uneven ground, Shazam! quickly nails down its goofy, lighthearted tone and develops into a thoughtful, comedic character study that explores the meaning and importance of family and unity with real confidence. Alongside some surprisingly heartfelt moments - particularly as the character dynamics are registering and evolving throughout every act - Henry Gayden's screenplay refuses to take itself too seriously: it is more than happy in serving up a cheesy adversary, bonkers visuals and daft antics that (most) audiences will lap up. It's all so camp and indulgent, but often gloriously so.
David F. Sandberg's direction is an eccentric bubble of fun. Packed with some terrific visual gags enhanced by the bright set design and an abundance of pop culture references - including frequent citations to its own inter-connected universe - Shazam! willfully plays with its roots: a rocky road the general DCEU has been running from, it is rather refreshingly embraced here. While the ropey VFX may feel jarring at times, one can easily pass it off as part of the film's delight: everything about this film seems like a relic from the 80s transported into the modern era. Even when it bends to appease genre conventions, they are delivered in a self-aware manner that prevents it from feeling like a carbon copy of anything before it.
Benjamin Wallfisch's score incorporates the swell of music associated with the superhero flick phenomenally while infusing enough personality of its own to prevent it from feeling too familiar. It operates efficiently in enhancing the tonally-varied script, keeping the lightheartedness palpable during the occasionally, thematically darker moments too.
Asher Angel and Zachary Levi throw themselves into their roles here with fantastic results on both fronts: Angel as Billy, Levi as Shazam. With the former capturing the anguish of his adolescent years and the latter juxtaposing it with a playful, larger-than-life caricature, the two begin borrowing from the others arsenal as the character begins to streamline in accordance with the narrative thrust and thematic reconciliation of the hero identity. It works effectively with the pair playing opposite sides of the same coin and, thankfully, there is plenty of room for both moving forward. Jack Dylan Grazer is a certified scene-stealer, essentially becoming the lead with the work split among the two in the title role. He musters some real chuckles, establishes a great chemistry with both iterations of Barry and completely charms his way throughout the film.
Shazam!'s hesitancy to become a bigger blockbuster is disappointingly felt as it transitions into a clunky finale and while it rarely loses its charm or vibrancy, it fails to congeal quite so satisfyingly into the smaller-scale, earnest picture it thrives as. Most impressive as a character study with the odd set-piece thrown into the mix - opposed to the spectacle-heavy conclusion - only when push comes to shove does it lose sight of itself. Still, even in spite of its flaws, there is so much heart to Shazam! and when the film's acting up to its playful shtick, it's hard not be utterly charmed by it. With fabulous performances, entertaining visuals and a clear sense of joy, Shazam! is a blast of energy and proves that DC's course correction is well underway.
7/10
Summary: There's a reason the title has an exclamation mark attached, as DC's Shazam! is bursting with energy and fun. While it ultimately buckles under blockbuster pressures, it remains an effervescent experience with great performances and its heart in the right place.