SHAZAM!: Lighter Superhero fare

Just say the word.

SHAZAM! arrived July 16. It’s on everything from the 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack, the Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD. The Digital format appeared early on July 2.

HERO

Shazam! is set within the DC Extended Universe of the 2017’s Justice League. Aquaman, Superman, Batman, Flash and Wonder Women, all exist in this world.

Shazam! also marked the lowest box office of the bunch with over $364 million worldwide. But, on that Tomatometer, it earned a quite impressive 91%.

A very easy ‘Certified Fresh.’

(For comparison - Aquaman - hitting the Billion dollar mark worldwide - is only 65% on Rotten Tomatoes.)

David F. Sandberg directs this new origin story. Teenager Billy Baston (Asher Angel) only needs one word. He can turn into an adult superhero, Shazam! (Zachary Levi.)

These powers are courtesy of an ancient wizard. Of course, that’s usually how it works.

Billy/Shazam will have to figure out his powers though because of the deadly forces of evil controlled by Dr. Thaddeus Sivana (Mark Strong.) Who is pretty good at being menacing.  

Jack Dylan Grazer - if he looks familiar he battled Pennywise the Clown in IT. Grazer plays Billy’s best friend, Freddy. Djimon Hounsou, an Oscar nominee, is that Wizard. The cast rounds out with Faithe Herman, Grace Fulton, Ian Chen, Jovan Armand, Marta Milans and Cooper Andrews.

The screenplay is by Henry Gayden and the story is by Gayden and Darren Lemke, based on characters from DC. Shazam! was created by Bill Parker and C.C. Beck.

TAKE

Would I buy this film? Yes.

SHAZAM! Is yet another origin superhero movie in a long list of them.

(SHAZAM! was initially called Captain Marvel in the comics, but that’s another story.)

Yet, it feels a little different than some of the last few DC movies. The visual effects get scaled back for a smaller size movie. There are a few dark moments - it is PG-13 after all. There is some coarse language and some quips about a strip club.

The first part of the movie may be a little slow as it sets up the characters. Like Dr. Sivana, the Wizard, Billy Batson and his issues, plus the friends he meets.

It’s about 35 minutes into the 132-minute film when Zachary Levi (Chuck!) appears as SHAZAM! And I can’t picture anyone else in the role after seeing this.

Levi does act like a 14-year-old stuck in an adult body.  

He is awkward at times and funny as he struggles with his newly gifted powers. When he first meets Dr. Sivana, he’s not ready for it.

Freddy - Grazer - gets the most screen time out of the cast of kids. Freddy struggles with his disability and is a big fan of Superman. When Billy reveals his powers to Freddy, there’s a wide range of emotions for him to deal with. I thought Grazer was good in the role.

But overall, the story feels a lot lighter and funnier than the darkness of Justice League or Man of Steel. It may not be the best superhero movie around but feels like a nice change of pace.

SHAZAM! is set during the Christmas season too, which I did not expect. Santa even has a rough time with the action.   

And yes, viewers there are two credits scenes. One appears to set up a potential sequel. The other is a joke scene towards another DC hero, which I found amusing.

SPECIAL FEATURES OVERVIEW

Shazam Exclusive Motion Comic (4 minutes, 5 seconds.)

A mini-story set after the movie but told through moving comic pages. It’s neat to look at. Zachary Levi does voice SHAZAM! A few bubbles have to be read.

The Magical World of Shazam (27 minutes, 9 seconds)

The behind-the-scenes reel. Like Zachary didn’t audition for SHAZAM! - he was going do a different role. The majority of the movie was shot in Toronto and how cold it was. And what happened to film in Philadelphia. Among other topics like the lighting bolt design on SHAZAM!  

Super Fun Zac (3 minutes, 19 seconds)

How fun is Zachary Levi? Apparently a lot.

Carnival Scene Study, Shazamily Values (10 minutes, 23 seconds)

The end of the movie is centred around a Winter Carnival. The actors discuss the stunt work like blowing up a ride. And the visual effects involved in making the sequence.

Shazamily Values (6 minutes, 6 seconds)

Highlights the various kids in the movie.

Who is Shazam? (5 minutes, 42 seconds)

This talks about Shazam and comics history. Like the Captain Marvel name and the old tv shows and comics. And how Shazam seems to have lasted all these years.

Deleted and Alternate Scenes (Over 20 minutes)

You can watch the scenes or included an introduction from the director. I find the alternate scenes the most intriguing. There’s a different beginning, a sequence was shot mostly in one-take, to a different ending.

Gag Reel (3 minutes, 16 seconds)

A gag reel. Silliness here.

Warner Brothers Home Entertainment