For the first time in a while, Warner got it right. Let’s be clear: Shazam! isn’t the most amazing movie ever. It’s not innovative, doesn’t have spectacular special effects, nor does it have the most absorbing plot. However, it’s a clear, concise story with humor, action, intrigue and heartbreak.
To be clear, I have not seen all the DC movies. Most either were terrible or sounded so terrible I didn’t bother. So to have Shazam! actually keep my attention was a surprise. Though not quite blockbuster material, it certainly shows that DC is finally starting to get their acts together. Acting was of quality, which is amazing when you include child-actors. The special effects were decent, though not seamless. Storytelling was clear and concise with some subtleties thrown in for good measure. For example, the lighting and sound during the two differing viewpoints of a flashback scene were so well done I didn’t even register them until a few minutes after the second was shown, and it did an excellent job of portraying what it was meant to.
Overall, it was a well-made movie. Entertaining, interesting, and far better fare than I am used to from DC.