Superhero movie stands out for its humor, innocence and courage
Ventura native Zachary Levi returns as the title character in “Shazam! Fury of the Gods.”
Holy moley!
Lightning really can strike twice in the right place.
That’s proven by “Shazam! Fury of the Gods,” a sequel that shows the further growth of Billy Batson, the 17-year-old who becomes an older superhero when he yells “Shazam!”
The movie is funny (with phrases such as “Holy moley!”), dramatic, heartfelt and adventurous. It even has a dragon.
Longtime comic book fans will recognize the Shazam superhero as the original Captain Marvel, who first appeared in Whiz Comics No. 2, published by Fawcett Comics in 1940. Marvel Comics later got the trademark when it created its own Captain Marvel in the 1960s. DC Comics started to license the Fawcett characters in 1972, bought Fawcett Comics in 1991 and renamed Captain Marvel as Shazam in 2011.
Whatever his name, this superhero stands out for his courage, love of his fellow foster family siblings and his good heart. Ventura native Zachary Levi continues to be the perfect choice to play Shazam/Captain Marvel (a teenager in a man’s body), and Asher Angel does a good job as the kid version of the same hero, Billy Batson.
Jack Dylan Grazer plays Freddy Freeman, Billy’s friend at the foster home. When Freddy yells “Shazam!,” a bolt of lighting strikes him and turns him into the adult, superhero version, played by Adam Brody.
Mr. Grazer and Mr. Brody play their sides of the same coin in sincere, compelling ways. In fact, some of the best acting in the movie is by Mr. Grazer, who, along with Mr. Levi, brings a lot of heart to this film.
The other heroes are Pedro (D.J. Cotrona as the adult superhero version, Jovan Armand as the kid version), Darla (Meagan Good as the adult version and Faithe Herman as the kid version), Eugene (Ross Butler as the adult version and Ian Chen as the kid version) and Mary (Grace Caroline Currey as both versions).
Ms. Good and Ms. Herman stand out for showing the same kind of enthusiasm and awe in their versions of Darla, and Mr. Armand makes Pedro someone most kids can relate to.
This time around, the foster home kids are having mixed results with their efforts to save the day in Philadelphia. They save lives, but can’t keep a big bridge from collapsing. But they have to put on their A game when Hespera (the talented Helen Mirren), Kalypso (Lucy Liu) and Anthea (Rachel Zegler) come to Earth to steal a magical staff and restore their realm to its previous glory.
steal a magical staff.
The story has a great blend of drama and comedy, as well as surprises that won’t be spoiled here. Like the original Captain Marvel comics, “Shazam! Fury of the Gods” is all about heart. There’s the kind of idealism and innocence here that is missing in so many superhero movies, and “Shazam!” makes phrases like “Holy moley!” suddenly cool.
The cast could not be better. Mr. Levi and the rest of the cast, playing the kid and adult versions, make their characters authentic, relatable, dramatic and funny. “Shazam!” deserves credit for showing that the kids don’t have to be struck by lightning to show their true power, which is simply being themselves.
The actresses playing the villains stand out as well.
Ms. Mirren takes a careful, understated approach to her character. It’s a choice other actresses might not make, but it makes Hespera that much more powerful. After all, a powerful person with magical abilities doesn’t have to yell or get angry.
Ms. Liu is menacing without going over the top as Kalypso and can express a lot with one glare.
Ms. Zegler makes you root for her character, Anthea, and you’ll see why.
Meanwhile, thanks to director David F. Sandberg, the acting and story elements blend together in a clear, straightforward way. As a result, “Shazam!” soars.
There are surprises in “Shazam!” that will delight fans of all ages. As always with comic book movies, watch until the end of the closing credits for the extra scenes.
In a time when superhero movies are often dark and disturbing, “Shazam!” shows there can be a sense of fun as well as positive character growth in a comic book adventure. It’s OK when heroes don’t take themselves too seriously.
email: dmason@newspress.com
FYI
“Shazam! Fury of the Gods” is playing at Camino Real Cinemas, 7040 Market Place, Goleta, and Fiesta 5, 916 State St., Santa Barbara. See metrotheatres.com for times.
It’s also screening at Regal Edwards Santa Maria and RPX, 100 Town Center East, Santa Maria.
See regmovies.com for times.
And it’s playing at Movies Lompoc, 227 W. Barton Ave., Lompoc. See www.playingtoday.com for times.
“Shazam! Fury of the Gods” has a running time of two hours, 10 minutes. It’s rated PG-13.
