Shazam Movie Review, A Superhero Like Superman

Shazam is a superhero movie and it’s good. If you haven’t seen it because you’ve had enough of these types of films, definitely give this one a chance. Thankfully, this great superhero movie is now streaming on Netflix. Do you know what else I have for you? A whole list of Shazam movie Easter eggs. Scroll to the end of the review for those.

I watched this movie at the cinema, it was totally cool to see a guy towards the final quarter get the call of nature. Obviously, I wasn’t pleased he had to pee, but I laughed because he literally ran past me down the stairs. Of all the times I have been to the theatre, that’s the first time I’ve seen someone sprint. This epitomizes just how great this movie is. You don’t want to miss a single second of it.

Shazam Movie Code Phrase

You need magic you expel your inner superhero. Billy Batson’s shouted SHAZAM! and just like that, his life was different.

• Directed by David F. Sandberg. Written by Henry Gayden, Darren Lemke, Bill Parker & C.C. Beck.
• Released in April 2019.

I’m not a big fan of slapstick. Similarly, even if the humor is low-brow, I still like it to have a bit of intelligence. Shazam! includes good consistent laughs throughout the course of its two-hour runtime. Also, the time just flies by, pun intended. The type of comedy used here is derived from innocence in the face of impending doom and it’s funny as all else. There is also a truckload of what I termed ‘jump-laughs’ that can only come from the impact of violence that is somehow hilarious.

Is That the Piano From Big?

The narrative here is totally formulaic but I didn’t care, there is too much to like here. There is an underpinning value system that comprises of what a family can look like even if they aren’t the ones you were born with. I’m positive the way this was told will strike the hearts of many.

The dynamic of the story feels fresh and by the end of the movie, I felt a franchise or at the very least a sequel is just begging to be released. It has a face like Tom Hanks in Big (1988) except in Shazam! you get a 14-year-old runaway in a man’s body. There is even a scene where Shazam finds a giant piano on the floor of a toy shop just like in the 1988 film. The icing on the cake here though is the man he has become is an accidental superhero.

Shazam! Is On Netlfix, Watch it Now

Both parts of the Shazam movie were performed perfectly and entirely believable when the unlikely hero is morphed from boy to walnut in a cape. Zachery Levi is a fantastic likable character. The smaller version of him as Billy is just as convincing and personable. As only his second full-length feature film, I do hope we see a lot more of Asher Angel on screen.

In most superhero films, the heroes have a specific task and Shazam does as well. His job is to protect the world from the seven deadly sins. In the film, though, we get given more of a character-driven story instead. Billy and his new best friend Freddy go through numerous journeys as people which is really nice. I should also not forget to mention Freddy (played by Jack Grazer) does a formidable job performing his role here.

The monsters were on point and had a Ghostbusters (original) vibe mashed up with the insidious look of Venom. Like any good superhero movie, the villain (played by Mark Strong) does incite some decent callousness. I went to check the art department roll call for names that stood out, however, there are 74 on the team. At least it makes sense now why that side of it looked so good.

I’ve not read the comic books this character was squeezed from but I love what the team of writers, producers, and directors did with it. There are even some notable Easter eggs planted within it so keep your eyes peeled for them. I made a list of some if you scroll to the end of this page.

The Production Years

I was also surprised to learn of the mammoth problems the Shazam movie had getting off the ground. It’s a wonder it was never completed as it was first optioned in 2005. Shazam is completed independently from the DCEU earth even though it was at one time planned to be a battle between Black Adam and Captain Marvel. There was so much rivalry between other superhero companies that an ongoing joke in Shazam! is about what he should be called.

Finally, I came away from this film feeling good. However, now that I know it took over 14 years to be finalized, I hope its success spurs Warner Bros. into a sequel soon. People need a superhero like Shazam! and he really does brighten up the comic book adaptation world.

Also, if you do head out to see the movie, stay past the closing credits. As I was leaving, I noticed that many in the audience had not left their seats so I lingered in the exit passageway with a few others. There is a final scene when the credits finish rolling.

I give Shazam Movie

4 Mr. Sparkle fingers out of 5

Shazam Movie Trailer

Shazam Easter Eggs and Movie Review. Superhero Movies

Easter Eggs in Superhero Movies, The Shazam Movie

This is not all of the Shazam Easter eggs, however, I’ll update these if I come across any others. In addition, feel free to leave any you spot in the comments.

• The first noticeable Shazam Easter egg is Billy’s hoodie. It reflects the 1940s comic book and also the costume assigned to him in the film.
• The series Game of Thrones is mentioned in a conversation in the film giving it a place in the DCEU world.
• Freddy is a massive superhero fan and in his room, we see a Batman Batarang, a wooden Superman toy, and, the Superman collector’s item bullet. There are also newspapers referencing the iconic hero along with many other items.
• Freddy himself wears an Aquaman and a Wonder Woman shirt.
• Billy Batson has an affinity for tigers. His cape buttons have tigers on them and this is a reference to Mr. Tawky Tawny, a magical tiger who is the original Captain Marvel’s ally.
• The skate ramp has Arion graffiti on it, referring to an Atlantian sorcerer in the comic books.
• The last Shazam Easter egg is the Annabelle doll that appears in a shop window. The director also featured it in the Aquaman movie. David F. Sandberg directed the Annabelle: Creation (2017) movie and likes to link the films.