DC's 'Shazam!' April 5, 2019

[Benjamin Haines]

[Dr Kain]

Wait, that is supposed to be Dr Silvana? o_O Mark Strong is definitely not who I picture playing Silvana.

Also, how can you do a movie on Captain Marvel if you aren't going to have his deadlist enemy in it?

[The Shadow]

I'm rather pleased with that trailer, seems like the movie will have an overall tone in line with the Golden Age Captain Marvel comics. I had been concerned about the movie because "BIG with super powers" has almost been a mantra for the different times WB has begun a CM movie project over the last decade or so. While there may be a touch of "BIG with super powers" thought, it seems like rather light influence based on the trailer.

The movie looks like it will be a lot of fun and like it will at least be a pretty good Captain Marvel movie. I'm still unsure about the choice of suit design in the movie, the movie's version of the suit is based on the New 52 suit. I would have liked to see the classic suit recreated, but the movie's suit isn't going to bother me all that much (it seems to be working all right in the trailer).

Here's the cover of POWER OF SHAZAM! 22 by Jerry Ordway for comparison -- Ordway used the classic suit design (Alex Ross does in his art as well) The cape was originally a short military style cape, the shirt had a button over flap, a sash at the waist, the buccaneer style boot (I can see them changing those for the same reasons they were changed for Captain America)

[lhb412]

Looks like a lot of fun!

Man, the fact Disney/Marvel set out Comic Con really allowed WB to dominate the buzz!

[O.Supreme]

The trailer looks great, the only thing that would have made it better, was if Tawky Tawny showed up when Batson got out of the Subway car. But I was wondering, for any hardcore fans, I know the change from calling him Captain Marvel to Shazam happened a few years ago. But a lot of people are comparing this to Tom Hanks "BIG", but with superpowers. Since I haven't read any DC comics in well over a decade, I wonder when this shift occurred.

To my knowledge, when Billy Batson transformed into Captain Marvel, it was never a "kids mind" inside an adult, but Marvel's brain was a fully mature adult one. Young Justice S1 back in 2010, was the first time I saw in animation, *Shazam* basically as a kids mind in an adult body. I mean I don't mind the change, it makes for a good story, but I'm just curious when it occurred, or if it was ever explained?

Also, I'm happy that Silvanna (sp?) is the villain in this one, but just to make things totaly crazy, I think it wold be hilarious if in the end, Mister Mind was revealed to be the true villain, that would be epic, and fitting for this story.

[Gwangi]

I did not at all read these comics. All I know from Shazam was the 1970s kid show, so imagine my disappointment when I did not see Billy Batson riding an RV with Mentor!

[The Shadow]

[canofhumdingers]

I know nothing about this character (other than googling the Shazam/Captain Marvel name confusion a few years ago).

This looks fun! And the acronym gives the silly name/magic word “Shazam” a level of coolness I was unaware of. I really hope they find a way to explain the acronym in the film.

[jellydonut25]

[lhb412]

Black Adam was only in one classic Captain Marvel story. It was modern comics that revived the character and made him the arch enemy. Dr. Sivana was always Captain Marvel main opponent.

[Jinzo Ningen]

[mr.negativity]

[mr.negativity]

[mr.negativity]

[mr.negativity]

[O.Supreme]

Get em Batman! . Oh Also---Kevin Conroy confirmed as new Batman in the DCU .

[jellydonut25]

The I see from this, the more convinced I am that it's gonna be way too fun to pass up.

[mr.negativity]

[jellydonut25]

I got to see an advanced screening of this yesterday.

The SHORT version: It's awesome. Hilarious, with a bit of heart, great character work, solid performances overall. Some wonky CGI, a few moments of needing the audience to just roll with some stuff that really maybe could have used like a minute or two to explain, and a villain whose villainous plan kinda boils down to "be evil" but I'd much rather have a movie be confident in its storytelling and characters and actors and keep the pacing up than stop and hold my hand and explain everything to me, so I can forgive a lot here.

4.5/5, and I could potentially see that going UP on re-watches, honestly.

EDIT:
Did a lengthy letterboxd review. It's pretty much spoiler-free.
https://letterboxd.com/jellydonut25/film/shazam/

[Jinzo Ningen]

I've read so many glowing (non spoiler) reviews and the general consensus is that it's great. Well, I just got back from seeing it and... it wasn't 'great' but it was really good. The first 1/3 was interesting build-up stuff and while some of it didn't work, it did get you up to speed and into the story as much as was needed, but much of the backstory stuff was rather sketchy. The middle third wasn't anywhere near as good (funny) IMHO as others have gushed. Yeah, it was kind of amusing and cute, but that's about it. For me the film didn't really start firing on all cylinders until the last 45mins or so. Once we pass the 'bus catch' it all began to gel rather nicely. The finish was engaging and pretty zippy and I didn't think they'd do what they did, but it worked beautifully. That said, I can see (and agree to a point) why many thought the finale just went on longer than it really needed.

Frankly, the last scene of the film made it worth everything else. I totally wasn't expecting it and I am so glad I never watched more than the first teaser trailer and didn't succumb to sifting through spoilery stuff. It blew me away and actually left me giddy like... well, like Freddy was. LOL. Totally on board for what they'll do with the character next. It wasn't the Shazam! that I grew up with but it was quite entertaining, and I appreciate the idea of one of the most (if not THE most) powerful heroes in the DC universe guided by the mind of a teenager. It will certainly make for an interesting dynamic if he ever hooks up with the Justice League, especially if they stick with old grumpy version of Batman. LOL. The mid-credit scene was alright but not all that, unless you are really up on your Captain Marvel lore; (CM fanatics will whoop, I'm sure). Post-credit scene did nothing to further the movie or the character, but was a genuinely funny poke at one of DC's heroes. (However, it could be incorporated into a running gag, again, IF they ever make another JL movie and Shazam joins the team.

BOTTOM LINE: 4 out of 5 STARS

[O.Supreme]

I'm actually leaving in a few minutes to go see it. I've already spoiled myself with the post credit scenes. But...while I'm not extremely knowledgeable on the lore of Captain Marvel, just watching Batman: The Brave and the Bold was enough for me to know what this was, and it was awesome!, cant wait to see my kids reaction...

[mr.negativity]

An Oral History of CAPTAIN MARVEL: The Fawcett Years, pt. 3

[mr.negativity]

‘Shazam!’ Review: A Fun and Sweet Delight When It’s Not Being Disturbingly Dark

[O.Supreme]

^Yeah I was going to mention that when I got back yesterday, but I was too tired. The movie was overall enjoyable. The jokes were great, so was the action, and I appreciate how despite all the previews, there was a LOT that wasn't revealed. However...I would argue that this was by far the most intense movie I've taken my kids to. Unfortunately I tend to view these things now more as a parent, than for my own enjoyment. I'd argue that in some ways, Shazam has moments that were way darker than BvS. Now I'm ok with that, but I'd REALLY caution anyone with kids under the age of 13 to maybe see this as a *date night* movie first with their significant other, and leave the kiddies at home. Just my personal opinion. I applaud the studio not wanting to spoil anything, but the lighthearted overall tone was a tad misleading... Yeah I know "It's rated PG 13" but that seems to be the catch all nowadays for most general films. Some PG-13 can show drug use, short sequences of gore, one f-bomb, etc... Or you can have something like Star Wars and MCU films that exclude most of that.

[Jinzo Ningen]

Yeah, there was a lot of pretty intense stuff that I did find surprising for a PG13. But, being honest, some of my favorite movies from when I was a kid were ones the truly scared me. Even so, you know it's all OK because it is a superhero movie, but director David Sandberg certainly let his horror roots slip through on multiple occasions. Even so, the scary stuff had an 80's Ghostbusters feel to it.

I read a lot of negative stuff about the CGI in this movie but really didn't find it that bad. When you compare the CG in Shazam (with its budget of 100 million) - versus the wonky junk in Justice League (with its outrageous $300m budget) - what we see on screen in Shazam actually looks pretty dang good. Too bad more of these films don't try and hold back from being so crazy over the top in budget. Sometimes smaller IS better.