Instead, those moments are used to further character development. Even the action set-pieces don’t focus on fight choreography. The stakes are relatively lower than what we’re used to, and yet crucial enough within this film. That, along with Billy’s search for his birth mother, and his inability to find a home he can fit into, is where the plot finds its footing.ĭespite this, the screenplay never falls prey to melodrama, and the usual genre tropes are acknowledged, then promptly downplayed. Even the villain Dr Thaddeus Sivana (Mark Strong) is forged by how his father and brother treat him as a young boy. Family is the narrative thread that binds the film. Some of the best scenes include Shazam discovering his abilities with Freddy, and they’re a joy to behold. It also becomes obvious that Billy Batson (Asher Angel) isn’t familiar with how a powered individual works, and that allows superhero nerd Freddy Freeman (Jack Dylan Grazer) to show him the ropes. He’s able to portray a sincere, yet immature adolescent trying to take on the big, bad world and yet, doesn’t know his own limits as a superhero. This is especially applicable to Zachary Levi, whose playfulness as the title character never gets old. Under Sandberg’s direction, they give their characters the right amount of self-awareness without veering too far into camp. But that sentiment wouldn’t translate if it wasn’t conveyed so well by the cast. He maintains an irreverent and exuberant approach throughout. Sandberg captures the imagination, enthusiasm, and pure glee of a little kid playing with his/ her toys. It quickly establishes a comical, yet sensitive tonality which allows the audience to get on-board with an otherwise outlandish premise. Shazam! Review: From its opening frames, ‘Shazam!’ sets out to address the origin tale pitfalls inherent to the superhero genre. Along the way, he encounters a mysterious wizard (Djimon Hounsou) who gives him the ability to transform into an adult with superpowers (Zachary Levi) by merely saying the word ‘Shazam’. Shazam! Story: Street-smart Billy Batson (Asher Angel) runs away from one foster home to the next, in search of his birth mother.
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