Under the lens takes a deep look at films by focusing in on one or two particular areas of the picture that helped to define it for better or for worse. Spoilers will be included in this review.
Shazam!: Is a 2019 Superhero picture starring Zachary Levi, Mark Strong, and Asher Angel, and is directed by David Sandberg. It follows the story of a foster boy who is gifted extraordinary power to become the hero Shazam! When he is faced with a villain who unleashes the evil of the seven deadly sins it’s up to Shazam and his adopted family to stop this evil and restore order to the world.
Under The Lens: Hubris and Humor
Hubris: Shazam! is a fascinating picture as it addresses the issue of moral legalism and the danger posed when taking it to its extreme. While the picture showcases that morality is paramount to fight evil, it also shows the danger of hubris and pride. The Wizard is searching for a new hero to take his mantel, and selects young Thaddius, he then submits the child to a test (Unbenonced to the boy) and when the boy is tempted by the seven deadly sins, the Wizard enraged casts him out and declares him unworthy to be to a hero. This then leads Thaddius to become a villain and eventually unleash the demon hordes upon the world. Shazam correctly calls out the hubris of the Wizard in judging the boy based on temptation and shows the dangers of being arrogant, the picture tells us that good person are not perfect, they are flawed and tempted, but goodness is just about being perfect but in choosing light over darkness when tempted.
Humor: DC films are frequently accused of being dark and without humor, and while Shazam is at times very dark, it has an undercurrent of humor that is very funny. The humor is less one-liners and zingers like the MCU, and more environmental and narrative humor. It’s organic and flows with the story and characters well.
Highlights
The picture’s effects and CGI are pretty impressive for a budget of under $100m.
The sets are also very fun and imaginative (Such as when the doors are opened and we see many different worlds)
The Shazam suit is beautiful, and while a bit bright and colorful, has great texture and weight to it.
Something to think about
Do you think a hero can be a flawed person? Could those flaws help them in their fight with evil?
Conclusion
Shazam was unlucky to be wedged between Captain Marvel and Endgame, which did not give it a lot of room to breathe. It is a strong family feature and has a good message. That being said it is not without its flaws, the fight choreography is rather poor, and its third act is strangely weightless despite the danger of the seven deadly sins being unleashed. However, the heart and humor more than make up for these flaws, which will likely be fixed in the inevitable follow up.