Thank you to my sponsors, Garry Rayala and Magic 89,9 for the advanced screening. I hope this will be many more opportunities to come.
‘Just say the word’ is the catch phrase of this latest installment of DC super hero films. The phrase is in reference to the wizard, Shazam, who grants magical powers to those entrusted with the power of his name. In particular, a person is granted the wisdom of Solomon, the strength of Hercules, the stamina of Atlas, the power of Zeus, the courage of Achilles, and the speed of Mercury. The film focuses on fourteen year old orphan, Billy Batson who was chosen by Shazam himself to have his powers.
The story is the ultimate form of wish fulfillment you can get. Imagine a child being granted the powers of a super hero. How would he react to it? What would he do with his powers? How would he relate to other people? These are just some of the questions explored in this movie.
Unlike recent DC movie installments, SHAZAM! wears its quirkiness on its sleeve. Then again, what do you expect from a young boy granted superpowers? Billy Batson learns the responsibility of having these powers, and the price that comes with it. Though he is an orphan, he lives with his foster family which he really has little in common. He continues to search for something in spite of his new roots. It is the realization that what he is looking for is right in front of him that drives the story to its conclusion.
There are a lot of nods to the comic book and cartoon here if you are eagle-eyed enough to notice. It helps that Geoff Johns is one of the producers as he wrote and writes Shazam in the comics while being familiar with his history. The movie portrays the character as he should be, and that is in part SHAZAM!s greatest charm. Billy Batson is no Superman, and neither is he Batman, or Aquaman for that matter. But, he brings to the table something those other two comic book icons do not. And, that is put under full display in this film.
Make no mistake, Shazam is not your normal super hero if there ever was a normal one. The dynamic of a child’s mind in an adult body reveals itself as the ultimate challenge more than the existing protagonist, Dr. Sivana. When Billy Batson matures on screen and realizes how to properly handle Shazam’s powers, he gets the upper hand on his adversary and creates an unexpected twist that is not hinted on in promotional trailers. It is at this point that we see how power used wisely is power that is not absolute.
This is a fun family film that you would love to bring your children, nephews, nieces and grandchildren to watch. It has enough thrills and laughs to keep you going while highlighting the importance of family in our everyday lives. Indeed, Billy Batson would not have found his true calling here if not for his foster family. That theme in itself is enough to bring your family around to watch SHAZAM!.
SHAZAM! opens in theaters. Just say his name and your wish shall be granted.
Obskura And Then Some 