Hey everyone, im Annie and welcome back to the movie review.
Ever since Marvel Cinematic Universe became a huge franchise for fun actions and likable characters, but what the heck is wrong with "DC Extended Universe"? DCEU is totally gotten worse as time went, not just of disappointing films what we have, but also nearly everyone are walking away such as Ben Affleck, Erza Miller and maybe Henry Cavill (since he's probably gonna get replaced by Michael B. Jordan). And so, we're very unclear if DCEU will still going, or maybe they're seriously need to be rebooted. However, since we have our next standalone film after Aquaman, we're hoping if DC could make something lighter than before, but it definitely does.
"Shazam!" is a 2019 DC superhero film directed by David F. Sandberg, produced by Peter Safran, then written by Henry Gayden and Darren Lemke.
Like i said, we've lost our hope and respect for DCEU for their disappointing films what we've seen (except for Wonder Woman), we would think if its gonna get bad right? Well, since we saw the trailer, it got a lot of attention that it looks like fun and going in lighter tone what it should've been. Not to mention, this project had a hell development back in 2000 and the film was supposed to include The Rock as "Black Adam", but that didn't happen, which Black Adam has to wait for either a sequel or maybe his own standalone film, since the project has been changed until what we have here.
So, with all that said, will this movie holds up if Shazam will rise in the light, or is Carol Danvers overshadowing him when he used to be named "Captain Marvel" for infringing reason?
Well, lets find out.
The Story
With a movie about Shazam, you'll think that they've learn their lesson to know about our hero and something lighter? Well surprisingly, they've done right.
It started back in 1974, where a young boy name Thaddeus Sivana who's unexpectedly being transported into a different dimension known as "Rock of Eternity", where he met a old man wizard name "Shazam" who's the last wizard of the council of seven wizards. However, Thaddeus didn't know and curiously wanted to get an orb called "Eye of Sin", but he was banished back to Earth, because he was deemed worthless. Fast-forward to present time, we introduce Billy Batson, a kid who's adopted by the foster family when he was being lost from his mother. After attempt to save his disabled best friend/brother Freddie from the bullies, he ran away to the subway, but not before he was also transported to Rock of Eternity where he meets a dying Shazam, saying that "Eye of Sin" was stolen from grew up Thaddeus Sivana where he not gain his powers, but also summoning seven deadly sins, the wizard gives his own power to Billy by calling the name into a superhero known as "Shazam". Its up to Billy to not only testing himself as a superhero, but also dealing against Thaddeus once and for all.
Even though its just another typical superhero story as usual, but the origin of Billy was started from sad to enjoyable as the movie went on. Especially for the Shazam's testing montage, it is quite fun and nice to showcase his powers. But what it makes this film good is that it has a lighter tone and a sense of humor, even though its odd that it takes place on Christmas(?), but it has better light tone than "Justice League" and of course, this film is funny as heck, especially when it comes to a montage, the jokes and even a silly nicknames to avoiding transformation (for obviously avoiding secret identity). Even if it should've been on the first place.
Even though the story is much like any typical superhero movies, but the execution are much better for better light tone, nice direction and a fun sense of humor.
The Presentation
With a lighter tone, we expect the presentation of this movie looks fun with action and entertaining, well yeah.
The filming location is pretty nice, especially that it takes place on Philadelphia, with the poor village and the scene where Shazam and Billy sits together on the steps in front of Art Museum, i can't help but think "I sense the similar location of "Rocky" movie.". Aside Philadelphia, they also filmed in Ontario with the school, the shopping center and a generating station. In other words, this movie is 50% taking place in Philadelphia. Even though its the same location for taking place in DCEU.
As for the action scenes and the CG, it looks much more better than "Justice League" for the graphic detail, fight scenes and power effects. Even if some say it was the cheapest DCEU film ever made between 80 to 100 million dollars of estimated budget. The action scenes with montage and fighting are fun and entertaining in the same time, especially for the powers, they looks great, even if the smoke (which it summons the seven deadly sins) are a bit cheap. As for the designs of the seven deadly sins, despite they look pretty average what they appeared, but they they look pretty scary, especially with red eyes, geez they looks rather terrifying, even though they're appeared from either motion capture or even CGI.
And finally, you're probably wondering my though of Shazam's suit? Well, it looks pretty simple what he appears, but it looks pretty good and kinda look faithful from the comic, especially with light of his logo on the chest and on his wrists, which obviously the suit has a battery on its back.
Despite it was considered as a "cheapest budget" of DCEU film, but i find the presentation looks pretty good for actions, the creepy seven deadly sins designs, Shazam's suit and probably a better detail of CG.
The Characters
Since this is a movie about Shazam, we expected that the characters are gonna be likable for their development? Well, they've done it better what we expected like Aquaman.
First is our titular hero Billy Batson, aka Shazam (played by Asher Angel for Billy and Zachary Levi for Shazam). As a Billy kid, i find him to be good, despite he's a bit emotionless, but at least Asher's acting is better than the kids from Tim Burton's Dumbo. But when he transformed into Shazam, Levi's easily steals the show for his fun and cocky role, you can tell Zachary have to playing as our titular hero. And for his abilities, he has powers based on immortal elders (along with combination of his name), "Wisdom of Solomon" represents intelligence, "Strength of Hercules" is obviously super strength, "Stamina of Atlas" means superhuman ability, likely invulnerability, "Power of Zeus" is of course, lightning power, "Courage of Achilles" means the power of will, and "Speed of Mercury" means super speed. Even though in my old time, i didn't care pretty much about Shazam, but as time goes, im started to liking him, he's not like my number one favorite hero in DC, but at least its the first time i learned about him.
Then we have Billy's best friend/brother Freddie (played by Jack Dylan Grazer), he;s also a likable character in this movie, despite being disabled, but he's a fan of superheroes, which we can see he collected various stuff from either Batman (like Batarang) and a crushed bullets from Superman's indestructible. And of course, since he first meet Shazam, he sorta act like a mentor to write down the list what abilities Shazam has and possibly teaching him for how to be a superhero. Even though he's a fan of superhero, Grazer is also did a great work of his role. Which obviously makes us wishing he could also become a superhero, right?
While the rest of the foster kids, they're not much else to say, but more likely the kids on token list, there's Darla Dudley (played by young Faithe Herman) is a energetic playful girl, Mary Bromfield (played by Grace Fulton) who's a den mother for the kids, Eugene Choi (played by Ian Chen) is a gaming boy with the brain and Pedro Peña (played by Jovan Armand) a shy kid who doesn't want to be in trouble, but more best way to describe him in the words of Scott Steiner: "He's FAT!!" (Sorry...)
As for the foster parents like Rosa and Victor Vasquez (played by Marta Milans and Cooper Andrews), they're basically a parents for adopting five kids for... Plot development for Billy?
And there's the old wizard named "Shazam" (played by Djimon Hounsou, who previously played as Ricou in Aquaman), who's only shown in the first act as a plot device to Billy to becoming a hero as a last wizard of the council. Even though there's not much else about him, but Djimon did a nice work of his role.
And finally, we have the main antagonist Thaddeus Savina (played by Mark Strong), he's a bad guy wants revenge against Wizard Shazam for stealing the Eye of Sin for not only has give him powers, but also summons the seven deadly sins. Though he has a great power, but he's a typical ruthless bad who wants to taking over humanities with monsters. Even though he's pretty average for his personality, but Mark did a great work of his role, he has cool powers and probably a somewhat better villain than Carlton Drake from Venom.
The characters in the movie are easily better for their development, their personality and their fun acting.
And now for my final opinion of this film.
Overall, Shazam is easily one of the best DCEU film ever done, with good execution for the story, great actions and presentation and the characters are likable, including Zachary's main role of Shazam. Even though Wonder Woman did good, but Shazam easily topped over for better light tone, fun acting and it was also funny to watch. This is the film that again, what it should've been on the first place after all the disappointing films what we have. So, if you're a fan of DC superhero movie, i highly recommend to watch it, its a film that it won't disappoints. Go see it, my friend...!
Though, i wanted to give 10 for a perfect DCEU film, but it has some flaws with an ok villain and some of CG could be a bit of problem. So for that, i give this movie a 9/10.
So this ends of my movie review, if you guys have your opinion or any suggestions, let me know at comment bellow and support me on KO-FI.com/blackevil.
Thanks for reading, and im Annie, signing ou--
*review ends with a phone ringing*
Annie: *grabs her phone* Yeah-hello?
??? (on phone): Are you Annie from other universe?
Annie: Yeah its me? What do you want?
???: Come to our universe, we need to talk...
To be Continued...
It started back in 1974, where a young boy name Thaddeus Sivana who's unexpectedly being transported into a different dimension known as "Rock of Eternity", where he met a old man wizard name "Shazam" who's the last wizard of the council of seven wizards. However, Thaddeus didn't know and curiously wanted to get an orb called "Eye of Sin", but he was banished back to Earth, because he was deemed worthless. Fast-forward to present time, we introduce Billy Batson, a kid who's adopted by the foster family when he was being lost from his mother. After attempt to save his disabled best friend/brother Freddie from the bullies, he ran away to the subway, but not before he was also transported to Rock of Eternity where he meets a dying Shazam, saying that "Eye of Sin" was stolen from grew up Thaddeus Sivana where he not gain his powers, but also summoning seven deadly sins, the wizard gives his own power to Billy by calling the name into a superhero known as "Shazam". Its up to Billy to not only testing himself as a superhero, but also dealing against Thaddeus once and for all.
Even though its just another typical superhero story as usual, but the origin of Billy was started from sad to enjoyable as the movie went on. Especially for the Shazam's testing montage, it is quite fun and nice to showcase his powers. But what it makes this film good is that it has a lighter tone and a sense of humor, even though its odd that it takes place on Christmas(?), but it has better light tone than "Justice League" and of course, this film is funny as heck, especially when it comes to a montage, the jokes and even a silly nicknames to avoiding transformation (for obviously avoiding secret identity). Even if it should've been on the first place.
Even though the story is much like any typical superhero movies, but the execution are much better for better light tone, nice direction and a fun sense of humor.
The Presentation
With a lighter tone, we expect the presentation of this movie looks fun with action and entertaining, well yeah.
The filming location is pretty nice, especially that it takes place on Philadelphia, with the poor village and the scene where Shazam and Billy sits together on the steps in front of Art Museum, i can't help but think "I sense the similar location of "Rocky" movie.". Aside Philadelphia, they also filmed in Ontario with the school, the shopping center and a generating station. In other words, this movie is 50% taking place in Philadelphia. Even though its the same location for taking place in DCEU.
As for the action scenes and the CG, it looks much more better than "Justice League" for the graphic detail, fight scenes and power effects. Even if some say it was the cheapest DCEU film ever made between 80 to 100 million dollars of estimated budget. The action scenes with montage and fighting are fun and entertaining in the same time, especially for the powers, they looks great, even if the smoke (which it summons the seven deadly sins) are a bit cheap. As for the designs of the seven deadly sins, despite they look pretty average what they appeared, but they they look pretty scary, especially with red eyes, geez they looks rather terrifying, even though they're appeared from either motion capture or even CGI.
And finally, you're probably wondering my though of Shazam's suit? Well, it looks pretty simple what he appears, but it looks pretty good and kinda look faithful from the comic, especially with light of his logo on the chest and on his wrists, which obviously the suit has a battery on its back.
Despite it was considered as a "cheapest budget" of DCEU film, but i find the presentation looks pretty good for actions, the creepy seven deadly sins designs, Shazam's suit and probably a better detail of CG.
The Characters
Since this is a movie about Shazam, we expected that the characters are gonna be likable for their development? Well, they've done it better what we expected like Aquaman.
First is our titular hero Billy Batson, aka Shazam (played by Asher Angel for Billy and Zachary Levi for Shazam). As a Billy kid, i find him to be good, despite he's a bit emotionless, but at least Asher's acting is better than the kids from Tim Burton's Dumbo. But when he transformed into Shazam, Levi's easily steals the show for his fun and cocky role, you can tell Zachary have to playing as our titular hero. And for his abilities, he has powers based on immortal elders (along with combination of his name), "Wisdom of Solomon" represents intelligence, "Strength of Hercules" is obviously super strength, "Stamina of Atlas" means superhuman ability, likely invulnerability, "Power of Zeus" is of course, lightning power, "Courage of Achilles" means the power of will, and "Speed of Mercury" means super speed. Even though in my old time, i didn't care pretty much about Shazam, but as time goes, im started to liking him, he's not like my number one favorite hero in DC, but at least its the first time i learned about him.
Then we have Billy's best friend/brother Freddie (played by Jack Dylan Grazer), he;s also a likable character in this movie, despite being disabled, but he's a fan of superheroes, which we can see he collected various stuff from either Batman (like Batarang) and a crushed bullets from Superman's indestructible. And of course, since he first meet Shazam, he sorta act like a mentor to write down the list what abilities Shazam has and possibly teaching him for how to be a superhero. Even though he's a fan of superhero, Grazer is also did a great work of his role. Which obviously makes us wishing he could also become a superhero, right?
While the rest of the foster kids, they're not much else to say, but more likely the kids on token list, there's Darla Dudley (played by young Faithe Herman) is a energetic playful girl, Mary Bromfield (played by Grace Fulton) who's a den mother for the kids, Eugene Choi (played by Ian Chen) is a gaming boy with the brain and Pedro Peña (played by Jovan Armand) a shy kid who doesn't want to be in trouble, but more best way to describe him in the words of Scott Steiner: "He's FAT!!" (Sorry...)
As for the foster parents like Rosa and Victor Vasquez (played by Marta Milans and Cooper Andrews), they're basically a parents for adopting five kids for... Plot development for Billy?
And there's the old wizard named "Shazam" (played by Djimon Hounsou, who previously played as Ricou in Aquaman), who's only shown in the first act as a plot device to Billy to becoming a hero as a last wizard of the council. Even though there's not much else about him, but Djimon did a nice work of his role.
And finally, we have the main antagonist Thaddeus Savina (played by Mark Strong), he's a bad guy wants revenge against Wizard Shazam for stealing the Eye of Sin for not only has give him powers, but also summons the seven deadly sins. Though he has a great power, but he's a typical ruthless bad who wants to taking over humanities with monsters. Even though he's pretty average for his personality, but Mark did a great work of his role, he has cool powers and probably a somewhat better villain than Carlton Drake from Venom.
The characters in the movie are easily better for their development, their personality and their fun acting.
And now for my final opinion of this film.
Overall, Shazam is easily one of the best DCEU film ever done, with good execution for the story, great actions and presentation and the characters are likable, including Zachary's main role of Shazam. Even though Wonder Woman did good, but Shazam easily topped over for better light tone, fun acting and it was also funny to watch. This is the film that again, what it should've been on the first place after all the disappointing films what we have. So, if you're a fan of DC superhero movie, i highly recommend to watch it, its a film that it won't disappoints. Go see it, my friend...!
Though, i wanted to give 10 for a perfect DCEU film, but it has some flaws with an ok villain and some of CG could be a bit of problem. So for that, i give this movie a 9/10.
So this ends of my movie review, if you guys have your opinion or any suggestions, let me know at comment bellow and support me on KO-FI.com/blackevil.
Thanks for reading, and im Annie, signing ou--
*review ends with a phone ringing*
Annie: *grabs her phone* Yeah-hello?
??? (on phone): Are you Annie from other universe?
Annie: Yeah its me? What do you want?
???: Come to our universe, we need to talk...
To be Continued...
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