Shazam! (2019)

A newly fostered young boy in search of his mother instead finds unexpected super powers and soon gains a powerful enemy.

Director:

David F. Sandberg

Writers:

Henry Gayden (screenplay by), Henry Gayden (story by)

Stars:

Zachary Levi, Mark Strong, Asher Angel

21 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Zachary Levi	...	Shazam
Mark Strong	...	Dr. Sivana
Asher Angel	...	Billy Batson
Jack Dylan Grazer	...	Freddy Freeman
Adam Brody	...	Super Hero Freddy
Djimon Hounsou	...	Wizard
Faithe Herman	...	Darla Dudley
Meagan Good	...	Super Hero Darla
Grace Fulton	...	Mary Bromfield
Michelle Borth	...	Super Hero Mary
Ian Chen	...	Eugene Choi
Ross Butler	...	Super Hero Eugene
Jovan Armand	...	Pedro Peña
D.J. Cotrona	...	Super Hero Pedro
Marta Milans	...	Rosa Vasquez

Storyline

In Philadelphia, Billy Batson is an abandoned child who is proving a nuisance to Child Services and the authorities with his stubborn search for his lost mother. However, in his latest foster home, Billy makes a new friend, Freddy, and finds himself selected by the Wizard Shazam to be his new champion. Now endowed with the ability to instantly become an adult superhero by speaking the wizard's name, Billy gleefully explores his new powers with Freddy. However, Billy soon learns that he has a deadly enemy, Dr. Thaddeus Sivana, who was previously rejected by the wizard and has accepted the power of the Seven Deadly Sins instead. Now pursued by this mad scientist for his own power as well, Billy must face up to the responsibilities of his calling while learning the power of a special magic with his true family that Sivana can never understand.

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Plot Keywords:

superhero | caped superhero | dc extended universe | origin of hero | shared universe | 

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Taglines:

If you want to save the world, say the magic word.

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Comedy | Fantasy

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of action, language, and suggestive material

Did You Know?

Trivia

Both DC Comics and Marvel Comics have a hero called Captain Marvel, whose feature film adaptations both star Djimon Hounsou and were both released in 2019. The differences are:

• Shazam! (2019) is a male teenager who received godly powers and a superhuman form.
• Captain Marvel (2019) is a female superhero who received alien powers and retained her original form.

DC's Captain Marvel is the original, first hitting comic book stands in 1939. DC renamed their New 52/Rebirth version of "Captain Marvel" to "Shazam" in 2012, due in part to Marvel holding the trademark on the name. However, DC still produces versions named Captain Marvel in print and animation.

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Goofs

Billy, in his Shazam form, accidentally rips off his backpack while trying to open it to show Freddy he stole the Superman bullet. Later, Billy is going to school with the same backpack, which appears intact.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Mr. Sivana: Thad... I said no toys at Grandfather's.
Thaddeus Sivana (1974): But it's Christmas.

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Crazy Credits

SPOILER: There is a scene in the closing credits: An imprisoned Dr Sivana meets up with the alien worm Mister Mind, who proposes an alliance.

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Connections

Spin-off Black Adam (2021)

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Soundtracks

Winter Wonderland
Written by Felix Bernard and Richard B. Smith (as Richard Smith)

User Reviews

He's not so serious

Shazam!

First of all I feel obligated to tell you, I'm a big Marvel fan, and i'm gonna be comparing this to Captain Marvel (Marvels one). And this movie is better.

This film is not a masterpiece. It's an okay film, and a good superhero flick. It's no Dark Knight or Avengers obviously, the tone and production is way different. Shazam! is a comedy. And a good one. Now the key to comedy is timing, and this movie is nailing it. Its not pushing it (Guardians Vol. 2 anyone?) knows actually when to say what, the screenwriting is on point.

But the best thing about this film is it's self-awareness. It knows it's a film about a kid becoming a superhero, you should realize that. It knows it can make jokes about hitting your head and peeing in the suit but also make clever comic book references.

So really strong points; comedy (timing, consistency) Zachary Levi was born for the role, screenwriting and script. Directing, Jack Dylan Grazer and the rest of the supporting casting, visuals were all alright, nothing to complain about.

I didn't really like the third act, but can't talk about it without giving spoilers.

All with all, a flick you can easily enjoy without taking it to seriously. Sets an example and new tone for the DCEU, it might just be my favorite film so far. 8/10

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official Site

Country:

USA Canada

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

5 April 2019 (USA)

Also Known As:

Billy Batson and the Legend of Shazam!

Filming Locations:

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

$100,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$53,505,326, 7 April 2019

Gross USA:

$140,371,656

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$365,971,656

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros., DC Entertainment, DC Comics

Technical Specs

Runtime:

132 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Atmos

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1