A fantasy action adventure in which a fourteen-year-old boy gains the power to transform into an adult superhero every time he says 'Shazam'.
The hardest power to depict onscreen is the wisdom of Solomon, but Shazam! makes clever decisions, mixing middle school snark with disarming sweetness. And — yes — it delivers the requisite lightning-strike punch-’em-ups with considerable force.
About as funny and charming as superhero movies get. Expect it to make household names out of its title character and leading man.
The traditionally dour cinematic universe is given a much-needed jolt of energy in a light-hearted yet overly long mash-up of Big and Superman.
It's bound to be a festive family staple for years to come.
Emphatically earns its exclamation mark, but very little rewatch value with this one.
This is mostly sly, rye, irreverent fun for the 10-to-14-set – and those still in touch with the uncynical delights of being that age.
Charming superhero film is eventually eroded by its extreme facetiousness.
There’s a sense of Stranger Things camaraderie among Billy and his foster siblings, who are actually fun to spend time with, and the film’s message of found family is a sweet one. Still, its overblown finale overstays its welcome, teeing up the team as mainstays in the inevitable sequel.
General release. Check local listings for show times.
RSS feed of Cinema reviews