Reviews by:
@the_owlseyes
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Every kid wants to be some kind of superhero? One who flies, who is strong, invisible or any other thing their imagination is able to conceive. This gives them hope and it never stops, as long as they want to dream. Growing with superheroes gives us a mean to be better physically and culturally. It's what pushes us to be more than just people in an overcrowded world. And our models become heroes in our youthful eyes, someone to look at when we need to grow and someone we can look for when we're down. Each one of us could be the superhero of someone else.
Each of us could be a symbol of good, hope and love.
This isn't a job, this is something more relevant. This is a feat.
Do your best because who is an hero today could become a villain tomorrow, if he isn't able to take good and righteous choices.
PLOT
"A newly fostered young boy in search of his mother instead finds unexpected super powers and soon gains a powerful enemy" or "People shouting words and punching each other".
SCRIPT
The plot is particularly thin here and the movie is more about the growth of Billy Batson and his friend. His arch is satisfying because it respects the movie's theme, family, and represents a resolution which opposes him to the villain, who has been made by an abusive family. In a way Sivana is sympathetic but the cause of his distress doesn't make sense. How many people has the wizard traumatized to find a champion? This is wicked. How the villain made money by using his trauma it's a bit unbelievable. The main problem I have with the movie is the Chosen One trope. Billy isn't exactly an example of virtuosism. I understand that he was built this way to prompt an arch, but I think that Freddy Freeman has better qualities. One could say that he steals and, generally, he's like that to survive and find his mother but that doesn't make him a better person. Also, how do you determine if someone is good? I think that this is extremely subjective and it isn't up to a bunch of dust to decide who should be some kind of Superman. In fact Shazam has too much in common with Superman, which isn't helpful. I won't criticize more the logic of this movie, especially the fact that the superhero lore seems a blending of greek, jewish and egyptian culture, makes it a bit bonkers and in contradiciton with Wonder Woman. Overall is an Ok script without anything interesting.
Script: 6/10
ACTING
Zachary Levi has found his role. He's perfect as Shazam. I can say about all the other actors, especially Jack Dylan Grazer and Adrien Brody. Mark Strong shines as Dr. Sivana, even though I've seen him in better roles. The actors are perfectly casted but they don't shows different emotions, which makes their performances pretty stale and boring. Sure, it isn't a movie intended for the Oscars but it doesn't require a lot from the performers.
Acting: 6/10
PHOTOGRAPHY
It's particularly bright and it distances itself from the other DCEU's movies, which could be considered his strength or weakness. Shadows aren't used a lot and the movie seems flat most of the time. Colours don't have a relevant role. It's below average, in my opinion, because it doesn't manage to offer stunning scenes or something new in terms of photography.
Photography: 5/10
EDITING
It's mediocre most of the time but sometimes it does something original. I like how slow motions is employed, even though is a it bit poor in one scene. There're some sudden cuts used for a comedic purpose and side-to-side shots to increase the movie's dynamicity. It isn't remarkable overall but it doesn't hurt.
Editing: 6/10
SPECIAL EFFECTS
As the costumes, the cgi it's a bit shoddy and it's highily noticeable. If you don't have the budget, don't create a movie which revolves around VFX. This lack of quality affects the battle's realism and tension is zapped. Not good, not good.
Special Effects: 5/10
SOUNDTRACK
It's a blend of instrumental music and pop songs. The first is pretty forgettable and the second is pretty effective. I like how the songs are integrated in the movie to let us feel good when the kids explore their new superpowers. Some times it's a bit cheesy but they work. This soundtrack makes this movie a feel good flick, which could be good or bad, depending on your mood.
Soundtrack: 6/10
COSTUMES
A bit cheap and mediocre for a superhero movie. Considering that I've seen better suits made by cosplayers, this isn't good for a $90 million movie. Sure, there's a link between the kid's clothes colours and their superheroes suits, but it isn't remarkable because I've seen it multiple times before. I've expected more and I'm a bit disappointed.
Costumes: 5/10
CONCLUSION
Script: 6/10
Acting: 6/10
Photography: 5/10
Editing: 6/10
Special Effects: 5/10
Soundtrack: 6/10
Costumes: 5/10
AVERAGE: 5,57
A feel good movie which is enjoyable with a nice theme and good characters. The logic is through the roof but it works, in its limits. It isn't the best superhero movie, mediocre at least. I like it, with moderation, but there's a lot better. Surely it represents the beginning of a good franchise. I hope that DC will be able to manage it properly, to avoid screwing it up. Watch it if you want to cheer yourself up and nothing more.
Director: David F. Sandberg
Screenplay: Henry Gayden
Cast: Zachary Levi, Mark Strong, Asher Angel, Jack Dylan Grazer, Djimon Hounsou
Soundtrack: Benjamin Wallfisch
Cinematography: Maxime Alexandre
Running Time: 132 minutes
Budget: $90 million
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