SHAZAM!

Warner Bros. and DC Comics had good reason to be concerned with the launch of its recent Superman, Batman and Justice League movies. 

Critics and audiences lauded the movies as too dark and somewhat plodding.  Personally I liked the movies, including the Suicide Squad.

When Wonder Woman came out it was a resounding hit and WB and DC executives began to see a light at the end of the tunnel.

It just so happens that the new SHAZAM! movie was that light.

Warner Bros. nailed the depiction of the young, tough-guy, loner and orphan Billy Batson who suddenly finds himself endowed with super powers.

While eluding some ruffians Billy enters a subway.  Suddenly he finds himself alone as the subway stops and Billy discovers he’s in a mystical cave confronted by the wizard SHAZAM!.

SHAZAM! tells Billy he has been chosen and with the utterance of SHAZAM!’s name Billy is transformed into a grown-up superhero possessing incredible powers.

What makes the movie so remarkable, funny and touching is that Billy has no idea how to use his powers, must be tutored by his crippled friend who loves comic books and is suddenly confronted by a bonafide super villain.

The performances are all around great.  Actor Zachary Levi is downright funny as the grown-up SHAZAM! and Asher Angle makes a convincing young Billy Batson.

The entire supporting cast really lightens and livens up the movie and the villain (Dr. Thaddeus Sivana), as played by Mark Strong is both scary and totally unique.

It’s downright fun watching SHAZAM! testing his new powers, using them as any 14-year-old would and trying to impress his friends.

SHAZAM! follows the development of a superhero as Billy matures and begins to take his new powers seriously and to use them for good.

The SHAZAM! Blu-ray/DVD/Digital Combo from Warner Bros. also includes some great extras: a motion comic, an alternate opening and ending, deleted scenes, a gag reel, audition footage, an On The Set featurette and SHAZAM!’s back-story.

I love it!