Rate and Discuss Shazam! (SPOILERS)

[Hilden B. Lade]

Since the movie has had its wide release:

This is a thread where you can leave your rating/reviews for DC's Shazam!, the live-action film starring the Hero Formerly Known As Captain Marvel, as well as discuss the film with spoilers unmarked.

(I just realized I made the poll and forget to add a single Holy Moley or Gee Whiz in the options)

[Godlike13]

DCs best movie in a good while.

[Robanker]

Honestly? Probably my favorite DC film after Superman (1978). More than most, I think it really loves and understands its source material while updating it for a more modern crowd. It's fun, it doesn't get too bogged down by melodrama, and it actually does ramp up toward the last act instead of losing steam and whimpering to a conclusion like many action movies do.

Zachary Levi is amazing as the big red cheese.

Top marks. I had a great time.

[bat39]

I'd say its basically Deadpool for kids, given how utterly bonkers it gets in a meta way!

It works as a great standalone movie, despite all the easter eggs and THAT cameo in the end. I'd argue that its the first actual 'standalone' DC film since Man of Steel.

In a way, its also a great throwback, not only to a more classic era of superheroes, but to an older era of superhero blockbusters. There's no great moral complexity or philosophical discusssion. No complex non-linear narrative. Its a pretty straightforward origin story and simple hero vs. villain fare. But its self-awareness of superhero tropes is what really elevates it and makes it very much a movie of our times.

One thing that really grounds the film is its emotional realism. Billy Batson, and the other kids, very much act like kids who've suddenly stumbled into an exciting and dangerous world. Shazam is no paragon of heroic virtue, nor is he a brooding savior with the weight of the world on his shoulders. He's just a kid playing at being superhero, who eventually finds within himself the courage and the compassion to actually be one. And even though he spends most of the movie as a classic moustache-twirling supervillain, I could really 'get' Sivanna and how he became what he is too.

A part of the film I particularly appreciated was the subplot involving Billy's mom. 9 superhero movies out of 10 would have given us a lot more angst and drama, but this film, while dealing with a very serious subject and giving it its due, actually manages to handle it in an almost understated way. Kudos to the makers for that!

DC really hit the nail on the head with Shazam, much like they did with Aquaman and Wonder Woman. I'm really looking forward to seeing the sequel, as well as the rest of their slate.

[Comic-Reader Lad]

I voted 4 stars, but I'm not crazy about the caption "Not Perfect..." because putting a negative into things always leaves a negative impression.

For me, 4 stars would read "VERY GOOD..." because that's how I felt.

This movie was trying to be funny, and most of the time, it stuck the landing.

I also liked Sivana being a credible threat rather than a comedic villain. This will keep the teens and young adults from dismissing it.

[Jim Kelly]

I won't vote yet. My rating of a movie tends to go up the second time I see it. How I read the stars for movies, three stars means the movie is rather good, four stars means it's one of the best and five stars means it's a rare gem of cinema (almost no movies should get five stars). Two stars is a movie you can watch, but it has a lot of flaws. One star means it's not really worth your time, unless you want to watch it ironically. And zero stars means the movie is a crime against humanity.

[stargazer01]

I voted 4 stars, but I'm not crazy about the caption "Not Perfect..." because putting a negative into things always leaves a negative impression.

For me, 4 stars would read "VERY GOOD..." because that's how I felt.

This movie was trying to be funny, and most of the time, it stuck the landing.

I also liked Sivana being a credible threat rather than a comedic villain. This will keep the teens and young adults from dismissing it.

I completely agree about the "not perfect" part and I also gave 4 stars. I enjoyed the movie very much, it didn't blow me away. Didn't think it was amazing or the greatest DC or superhero movie, but it's very good and well made. The Harry Potter comparisons make sense.

Loved how much heart it has and the family themes. This movie has a great balance of humor and serious moments, and the villain wasn't a joke. I appreciated that Dr Sivana had some depth and his backstory. Billy Batson too had plenty of depth. There were 3 scenes in this movie that wowed me in different ways, and one of those got me teary-eyed. A real punch to the gut.. The final and mid credits scenes made me smile so much..!

I'm planning to see it again.

I won't vote yet. My rating of a movie tends to go up the second time I see it. How I read the stars for movies, three stars means the movie is rather good, four stars means it's one of the best and five stars means it's a rare gem of cinema (almost no movies should get five stars). Two stars is a movie you can watch, but it has a lot of flaws. One star means it's not really worth your time, unless you want to watch it ironically. And zero stars means the movie is a crime against humanity.

I agree with all this. Few movies are perfect, IMO. But it's really subjective.

I've only seen Shazam once, but I really feel strongly about my feelings about it already. Not sure how rewatchable it will be for me, but really want to see it again.