Shazam is lighting up screens around the country, and the word is overwhelmingly positive.
I mean, there are a few more specific words that have come up frequently in critics’ glowing reviews — words about Shazam’s earnestness, its feeling of fun, its unapologetic sense of humor.
And while Shazam is no Superman (although as Freddy Freeman himself says in the film — he’s pretty close), is not as badass as Wonder Woman and nowhere near as well-known as Batman or even Aquaman, after this movie, he’ll easily be on par with those well-known, revered superheroes.
In fact, I can see him even becoming quite a few kids (and adults) new favorite superhero.
The previews have been hilarious and critics have been quick to point out that this is easily the DCEU’s funniest film. However, critics have also been quick to point out that the previews revealed startlingly little about the movie itself — with many of the best parts of the film still completely under wraps.
(And as someone who has just walked out of the movie, trust me when I say this — you’re going to want to go into this film knowing as little as possible about what happens.)
Overall, critics have praised the movie for its ability to make you grin, the charismatic performances of Zachary Levi and Jack Dylan Grazer, and the beating heart at the center of it all — a message about family.
‘Shazam’ reviews
Here are some passages from a variety of Shazam reviews. Hypable will have its own review later this weekend, so make sure to check back!
Critics had a lot of fun with this one, like IndieWire’s David Ehrlich:
Shazam! is easily one of the most fun superhero movies ever made; even after the euphoric Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, that’s still a low bar to clear, but it’s worth celebrating all the same.
Business Insider’s Jason Guerrasio
…with a tone that’s a mix of coming-of-age classics like Big and The Goonies, you should get ready for a fun time.
And We Live Entertainment’s Fred Topel:
The perfect origin story. It has fun teaching us the mythology of Shazam powers and teaching Billy to become a true hero.
Entertainment Weekly’s Chris Nashawaty praised Zachary Levi’s performance:
Whenever Levi is on screen, wowed by his new grown-up physique (his muscles seem to have muscles) and shocked by his newly discovered powers (living lightning zaps from his fingertips), the movie soars.
A sentiment that was likewise echoed by Brian Truitt at USA Today:
There’s a youthful wonder and innocence he captures as the Frito-chomping man-child hero, and he has all of the facial expressions and flossing skills (the dancing kind rather than the dental) to convey the pure excitement of a boy learning he can pretty much do anything.
And The A.V. Club’s Ignatiy Vishnevetsky:
What is often the most businesslike part of a superhero origin story—establishing the hero’s powers—ends up becoming the most entertaining part of Shazam!, carried along by Levi’s fidgety, boyish charm. (Similarly, the inevitable climactic light-show showdown—a reliably butt-numbing staple of the genre—is surprisingly zippy.)
Jack Dylan Grazer likewise gets a lot of praise, with Forbes Mark Hughes pointing out that:
Grazer is the other magic ingredient who elevates an already good story and film into something great. The rapport between Grazer and Angel, and between Grazer and Levi, is what holds the entire picture together. Without their charm and chemistry together, the story would not have gotten off the ground; but with them, the story soars.
And AP’s Lindsey Bahr saying:
The young actors assembled here are astounding, and immediately captivating, especially Grazer as Freddy and Herman as Darla who nearly steal the show. It’s why when the film asks you to believe that it’s really about family, and not merchandising, you’re on board.
Vox’s Alex Abad-Santos likewise praised the effervescent buoyancy of the film:
Shazam’s hilarious script and unflinching commitment to the earnestness of its comic book source material work in tandem to deliver the joyous high notes it’s going for. Had it been deficient in either, the experience wouldn’t have been as charming or entertaining, or as touching.
And then went on to call attention to heartfelt message at the center of it:
At its heart, Shazam is about who we call family and how family reflects who we are. But even for those of us who aren’t street-smart foster kids, and who have lived lives full of love and support, there’s a very human yearning and hope that we’ll find more people like us. That humanity is what Shazam is fluent in. And if we’re lucky, Shazam assures us, we can share a little bit of that magic, our magic, with others.
In fact, as fun and funny as Shazam is, many critics pointed to the emotional storytelling at the movie’s heart.
Mashable’s Angie Han described it as being:
pitched as, essentially, a beefed-up Big – a wish-fulfillment fantasy of becoming older and stronger and cooler – but with the emotional complexity of the best kids’ stories. What keeps Shazam! from floating off into space, though, is its grounded approach to Billy’s non-superheroic problems. The film takes seriously the challenges of childhood and adolescence, and the long-ranging effects of early traumas. Billy’s messy feelings about finding a new family, after losing his mother years ago, are given every bit as much weight as his journey toward becoming a true hero.
With IGN’s Jim Vejvoda saying that:
The key message of Shazam! is that it’s gravely important how adults treat children, whether it’s through remarks or rejections or the choices adults make that impact a child’s emotional development. At the same time, it’s ultimately up to the child to decide whether they turn out kind or unkind.
And io9’s Germain Lussier commenting:
While the superhero action and comedy may be Shazam’s big selling points, what makes it truly great is the touching story of a foster family weaved around everything else…There’s a real humanity to the foster family aspect of the story and it ends up paying off with some big surprises and possibly even a few tears.
Finally, there seems to be no need to worry about third-act fatigue.
Polygon’s Susana Polo applauded the final act, saying that:
Unlike many of its contemporaries, this film has a final stretch that melds humor, pacing, stakes, and real joy in a way that had me grinning like I would never stop. Yes, Shazam! is the holy grail of superhero adaptations when it pulls off an engagingly staged, thrilling, and emotional climax.
