If you enjoy reading my spoiler-free reviews, please follow my blog :) I wasn't familiar with Shazam at all before seeing the movie—I didn’t know what his powers were or what his story was about. What David F. Sandberg’s film does really well is introduce a new DC superhero, by crafting an unusually well-structured comic-book screenplay that’s full of laughter and exciting action. Zachary Levi truly stands out! He's not only funny, but he also perfectly embodies the childlike personality of a kid who has become an adult. His expressions of surprise and wonder at his abilities are incredibly charming, and he effortlessly carries the film’s lighthearted tone. Asher Angel is excellent as Billy Batson. His character has a backstory that's thoughtfully written and explored, which ultimately explains why he is the person he became. It's the most emotional part of the movie (maybe even the only one), and Henry Gayden did a great job with the script. It doesn’t feel predictable or over-the-top; it feels genuine and quite realistic. Jack Dylan Grazer plays his best friend, Freddy Freeman, and he provides most of the self-aware humor. He's familiar with all the superhero and supervillain tropes, so his jokes consistently land well and fit seamlessly into the final act. Typically, villains are underdeveloped characters with weak motivations, but that’s been changing recently. Newer comic-book movies feature really well-developed villains who have compelling backstories that support their beliefs—even if those beliefs lead to questionable actions. This type of villain works because audiences can understand where they're coming from and sometimes even relate to them. Dr. Thaddeus Sivana isn’t someone you necessarily end up caring about, but his backstory is emotionally powerful enough for us to grasp the origins of his motivations. Mark Strong delivers a threatening performance, and his costume/make-up looks pretty cool. The first part of the movie feels a little uneven. It starts in a very engaging way, and it gets even better once you understand who the central character is. However, the film takes some time to establish its tone, and the beginning struggles to find which jokes work and which don’t. The humor hits the mark for the rest of the movie, but those initial jokes didn't quite land, which threw me off a bit. The action sequences are impressive, and the sound design makes you feel every punch, kick, fall, or Superman-like take-off. The fight scenes are smoothly edited, and I know how much I appreciate well-choreographed or well-edited action. Shazam’s search for his powers provides some of the funniest and most entertaining moments in the film. Each test he puts himself through is both hilarious and informative. This is another thing I really like about the screenplay: they had several ideas on how to approach this segment, and they executed them all perfectly. From pop-culture references to hero-villain cliches, Sandberg did a terrific job exploring those concepts and bringing them to life. The best jokes are the ones that can be funny for different people in different ways—when a scene is amusing because of one thing, but even funnier when you understand its deeper meaning. Shazam is not only entertaining for comic-book fans; everyone can leave the theater feeling happy and amused. It’s still a pretty standard superhero movie. There's still a villain to defeat, and the film goes through all the familiar plot points that it also pokes fun at. You know how things are going to unfold just a few minutes in. I don’t see this as a flaw; it is what it is. The final battle drags on too long, feeling like it keeps starting and stopping every five minutes. It does have a satisfying conclusion, but it takes longer than necessary to get there. Also, and this is one of those nitpicky observations that CinemaSins often points out, the flashbacks and time-jumps could have been handled better regarding the characters’ ages. It's one thing to imagine that they would look much older or younger than they do on screen, but when they appear to be the same age after 30 or 40 years… it doesn’t quite add up. Overall, Shazam is a great time! It’s the most entertaining movie I’ve seen so far this year, and it's incredibly funny. It continues the trend of comic-book films evolving how villains are written, by presenting a well-developed bad guy, menacingly portrayed by Mark Strong. Every member of the cast gives a strong performance, but Zachary Levi steals the show. His playful attitude, reckless personality, and expressive face are guaranteed to entertain you for most of the runtime. Asher Angel and Jack Dylan Grazer are excellent as the young kids, and the former’s backstory has an emotional impact that carries over into the older man he transforms himself into. The action is full of beautifully-edited sequences, powerful sound design, and unique moments, but the climactic final battle drags on too much. The first act struggles to find its rhythm and tone, but once it does, it’s a fantastic journey. The best compliment I can give Sandberg’s movie is that I didn't know anything about Shazam before going into the theater, and now I can’t wait for the sequel. Well-directed, well-written, and remarkably entertaining. What more could I ask? Go see it! Rating: B+

Source on TMDB