Warner Brothers has been behind the release of superhero
movies based on DC Comics character. Since they also own DC this only makes
sense. But while the DC Universe was hitting the big screen before the Marvel
superhero films with Batman, those were the only films to rival what DC has
released. For some reason the folks at Warner felt that every single superhero
outing needed to be as dark and gritty as the Batman films were. The problem
was and remains that not all characters in comics are dark and gritty. They
make an attempt to steer away from that with SHAZAM with mixed results.
If unfamiliar with the character he was originally named
Captain Marvel and ran in comics published by Fawcett. A lawsuit filed by DC
claiming he was a rip-off of Superman resulted in his series ending until DC
acquired the character in 1972. The character was more simplistic than most and
geared more towards younger readers. Aiming for a larger audience and a PG-13
rating that changes a bit with the movie.
The film opens on a dark and stormy night in the 70s with
young Thaddeus Sivana riding along to a Christmas outing with his father and
older brother. Ridiculed by both he ends up being called to a hidden hall where
the supreme Wizard (Djimon Hounsou) tests him to take on the mantel of new
warrior, but he must be true of spirit and heart. When he almost takes the
container that holds the seven deadly sins instead, the Wizard returns him to
his car. His reaction causes a wreck that leaves his father damaged and his
brother blaming him.
Young Billy Batson loses his mother at a fair and becomes an
orphan when no one comes to claim him. Fast forward to today and we find Billy
(Asher Angel) attempting to find the mother that abandoned him years ago.
Having moved from foster home to foster home the agent in charge of his case
decides on another tact. She places him in a home owned by a couple who were
once foster children themselves and now run a home for orphans. Billy isn’t
quick to make friends and that includes his roommate Freddy Freeman (Jack Dylan
Grazer), a superhero geek. Still trying to find information on his mother he
isn’t quite adapting to the family setting here.
Thaddeus Sivana (Mark Strong) has grown up trying to
rediscover the location of the hall he was removed from. His goal is to take
the eye, the container that held the seven deadly sins, and to gain power with
it. He eventually accomplishes this but to gain the ultimate power he must take
it from the Wizard who is still seeking a warrior to possess his power.
The warrior chosen is none other than Billy. When he’s given
the power and says the magic word “shazam” he turns into a muscle bound, tight
and cape wearing superhero played by Zachary Levi. The thing is he’s still 14
in his head. He lets Freddy in on his secret and asks for advice as to what to
do. They pair test out which powers he has and uses them for less than
reputable reasons, like getting beer or visiting a strip joint.
Eventually Dr. Sivana comes looking for Billy as the hero we
will eventually call Shazam. More skilled and older than his opponent Sivana
has the upper hand. It isn’t long before Billy has to retreat, regroup and try
and figure out what to do next. He’s been adjusting to the family that is now
part of his life and a momentous incident happens that solidifies that. But
with Sivana hot on his heels Billy must decide what the right thing is to do
and summon all his strength and pureness of heart if he is to win the day.
Some of the basics from the comics are there but not all.
The film doesn’t play off on the innocence that those who remember the comics
will be looking for. The beer and strip joints are a big clue of that. But the
heart of who and what Captain Marvel/Shazam is remains at the center of the
film. His standing up for what’s right, what’s moral and for family serve the
character well here.
At the same time the dark world of DC comes barreling in
again though as the seven deadly sins are seen as dark and monstrous looking
creatures. The addition of several characters being killed by Sivana also add a
darker dimension to the film. It would be nice if Warner realized that the
success of Marvel has been based on their acceptance and embracing of the
source material rather than trying to change it.
The film looks good, the acting is good enough and the
direction is fine. But the film still has a feeling of not quite being as good
as it could be. A part of that lies also in the length of the film at over 2
hours. Twenty minutes of this film could easily have been trimmed and not
missed. In the end it’s not a bad movie but it could have been so much better.
Still, it’s worth a rent and a watch but perhaps not being added to your
collection.
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