Shazam! (Review)

Hi people, I'm Vansh Gaint and I'm here with a review of the latest DC Universe movie-Shazam!. I saw this movie the day it came out and I here I am to present a review for this movie because it's released on Blu-ray now. Spoilers alert!

When I first got to know that Shazam actually exists it was not that exciting and when Zachary Levi was cast as Shazam, I was really disappointed and I said what others said that DC was making their own version of Deadpool. I honestly did not have much expectations from this movie. Although, when the trailer came out, it defied me and I guess, it defied the audiences as well. Fortunately, the trailer did not reveal much about what was yet to come in the movie. 

We know that DC was not doing pretty good when they released Justice League and that was one movie I had expectations from and after that, our expectations kind of settled down until Aquaman turned out to be the first DC Universe movie that made a billion at the box office and I, honestly, wanted DC to keep this kind of performance constant and then we got Shazam! 

So, this movie follows a pretty decent storyline which is not boring. So, Billy Batson gets lost and separated from his mother in a carnival and he wants to find where his mother lives and he wants to see her again. Without her, he's an orphan and has run from some foster homes and he finally gets adopted in a group home where he meets Freddie ,who is more or less, a superhero fanatic. So, the story goes on Billy finally gets his powers one day and the way he gets powers is how he is similar to the antagonist of the movie-Dr. Thaddeus Sivana. 

As the movie starts, Dr. Sivana, a child then, is traveeling with his family to his grandfather's when he gets abducted by the wizard Shazam into his cave. Shazam wants him to be his champion because the former champion was a reckless choice who released the five sins on to mankind for revenge and those sins are getting stronger day-by-day. Before the powers are given to Dr. Sivana, his temptation is tested and he fails the test and does not get the powers and is sent back to where he was abducted from. Same happens with Billy some years later when he is trying to escape two bullies in a subway train and he's abducted by Shazam. Billy gets his powers by saying the word-Shazam!

On the other hand, Dr. Sivana, an adult now, figures out a way to get back to that cave and gets the powers which were displayed to test his patience. In order to survive, he must kill the champion and so he sets out to find the champion-Billy Batson aka Shazam and to kill him. 

So, you see, the story is kind of childish but it's really good and entertaining that you won't be bored. Story has a lot more to it according to the character-Shazam. Because Billy, a child, when takes his superhero form gets more wise, fast, strong, courageous and gets all other good traits and is actually a responsible superhero now. It's more of a coming-of-age story than a superhero story. It talks more about the responsibilities of a superhero rather than their powers and it's a beautiful movie worth a watch. 

Let's get on with the characters now. So, I told you about Billy already, the one who is not interested in any superhero shit but on the other hand is Freddy who is a superhero fanatic. He has a batarang and a Superman Bullet and since Freddy is a disabled boy, it makes his character more complicated. He knows every superhero fighting technique but he can't use those and it's actually sad. He acts as a superhero manages instead when he gets to know that Billy got the powers. Instead of being jealous, he keeps on reminding Billy that he should be grateful for what he's got.This character was a fun-and-frolic character which was a fan favorite and was played perfectly by Jack Dylan Grazer. 

Since, Billy and Freddy are the two main characters after Shazam, I think that both the actors did their parts really good. None of these characters are boring, keeping in mind, that they are totally going to be seen in the future sequels of Shazam. 

Not forgetting the villain, Dr. Sivana was a really good villain after all that he was expected really chilidish. But he was not childish and his side-kicks were actually really scary keeping in mind that David F. Sandberg is a horror movie director. The villain was no joke, guys. He was actually really good. Justice done by Mark Strong, indeed. 

All other characters were also really good and none of the characters were unnecessary. 

Now, let me talk about the relationship between Freddy and Billy/Shazam. These characters are great together. They did everything a child with superpowers would. Robbing ATMs, buying beer bottles, having fun, throwing lightning from hands but at the end of the movie, the way these characters develop is really good. Billy finally understands his responsibility and does what he is supposed to do. It's totally excellent!

Now, let's talk about the fighting scenes of the movie. This movie did not disappoint us with the action scenes. The fights between Dr. Sivana and Shazam were really good, although, the CGI was not upto the mark. The punches and the punch-lines were both good. These fight scenes save this movie from being bland. And now for the best part of the movie- at the end, all the kids from the group home get the powers of Shazam and that is the time when it feels good to see Freddy. He is actually happy and he's thankful that he's got the powers because one moment, he is not able to walk and the second moment, he can fly. This is one of the most surprising moments of the movie and the casting done here is great. Literally, great!

The movie has a satisfying end to it and it has at least 2 Rocky references and the cameo at the end. This movie has 2 post-credits scenes and this movie is one of the best superhero origin movies. Good job by the director and the actors.DC Universe is doing great! 

Now, for the future of this movie. Since, it's clear from the movie that the former champion was actually Black Adam and keeping in mind the interviews, we might see a Shazam vs Black Adam thing in Shazam 3. For me, I'd like to see a Superman and Shazam team-up next. The villain for the sequel is decided and he is Mr. Brain. 

I think that this movie is actually good. It's a family movie and you should definitely watch it and re-watch it. 

I'll rate this- 8/10

I'll see you guys later. Share this blog with your friends. Post your opinions in the comments. Suggest me some movies or suggest me some changes in my blogs if you'd like. You can contact me on my e-mail. 

-vanshgaint