Indeed. Small with the size, large with the awesome.Darla totally stole the show though, she should get seven spin-offs immediately.
Spoilers Shazam! - Grading and Discussion
- Thread starter dahj
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I saw the movie tonight, and...*sigh*
Let nobody say that I'm not a man of my word.
As for the movie, long story short: It did make Billy a bit too much of a dick at the beginning, I didn't find his Mom subplot to be that great, and the school bullies were a bit too over the top even for a superhero movie (they hit a crippled kid with a car right in front of the school and would have gotten away with no punishment if Billy hadn't later wrecked their truck). But, I still liked the movie. I knew I was screwed when I realized I that I kept smiling and chuckling at things. The characters were charming (I even liked the other kids), the villain was threatening (although the Sins were slightly generic looking CG beasts, Mark Strong did a great job as the magic powered version of Sivana), and the action and humor was generally really good. I really hope they actually go through with using Mr. Mind, after showing him in a jar and then specifically showing the jar having been broken during Sivana's attack on thew wizard.
I'll always prefer the pre-reboot version of Captain Marvel to Geoff Johns Shazam, but this was a good movie. It actually does this version of Shazam better then Geoff Johns did, with little moments like the first woman Billy "saved" just giving him money because she thought he was a weirdo, and not because he specifically shook her down, and his later attempts to get money was mostly harmless selfie stuff, meaning he didn't come off as a huge prick. Also, him spitting out the beer he got then getting normal junk food got a chuckle out of me.
Overall, a very good movie. When it comes to the good current DC movies I'd say its slightly below Wonder Woman, and about on par with Aquaman when it comes to how much I enjoyed it.
8/10 or B+
How bout this, if you end up liking the movie I'll wire you the money to get this:
tattooed on your butt.
(Or I guess I'll settle if you just make it your avatar, but that's kinda lame compared to butt-tatt)
Let nobody say that I'm not a man of my word.
As for the movie, long story short: It did make Billy a bit too much of a dick at the beginning, I didn't find his Mom subplot to be that great, and the school bullies were a bit too over the top even for a superhero movie (they hit a crippled kid with a car right in front of the school and would have gotten away with no punishment if Billy hadn't later wrecked their truck). But, I still liked the movie. I knew I was screwed when I realized I that I kept smiling and chuckling at things. The characters were charming (I even liked the other kids), the villain was threatening (although the Sins were slightly generic looking CG beasts, Mark Strong did a great job as the magic powered version of Sivana), and the action and humor was generally really good. I really hope they actually go through with using Mr. Mind, after showing him in a jar and then specifically showing the jar having been broken during Sivana's attack on thew wizard.
I'll always prefer the pre-reboot version of Captain Marvel to Geoff Johns Shazam, but this was a good movie. It actually does this version of Shazam better then Geoff Johns did, with little moments like the first woman Billy "saved" just giving him money because she thought he was a weirdo, and not because he specifically shook her down, and his later attempts to get money was mostly harmless selfie stuff, meaning he didn't come off as a huge prick. Also, him spitting out the beer he got then getting normal junk food got a chuckle out of me.
Overall, a very good movie. When it comes to the good current DC movies I'd say its slightly below Wonder Woman, and about on par with Aquaman when it comes to how much I enjoyed it.
8/10 or B+
^ Credit to you (sincerely) for putting aside your preconceptions enough to enjoy the movie, and for owning up to the fact. Any chance this might lead you not to prejudge quite so aggressively in the future?
Uhm ... did you leave before the credits finished ...?
It depends on the movie, really. A certain other DC movie that recently released a full trailer won't be getting a break from me, because I have a long history of hating pretentious stuff. But, DC's actual superhero movies keep proving themselves, so I think I'll at least have to reevaluate my thoughts on the upcoming Harley Quinn/Birds of Prey film, even if I still think it sucks that the BoP are stuck as side characters in a Harley movie instead of getting an actual film to themselves.
Besides that, I've already been excited for Wonder Woman 1984 and The Suicide Squad, so DC is looking pretty good in the movie department.
Yeah, I don't drive so I have to leave the theater when my family does, and even though my Dad and brother like superhero movies well enough, they don't like them enough to stay during the credits. I've never actually seen the mid/end credit scene of any movie in a theater, not even the Marvel movies I've seen on the big screen. Damn my family for being only casual fans
Ok, its not that big a deal, but I'll go look up what the scene was now. I should have done that when I got home, but I guess I didn't assume that a DC movie would automatically have a credit scene.
It was fun. The younger Billy Batson seemed more serious and brooding than his adult superhero counterpart, played very well by Zach Levi, who came off as a playful and goofy character.
I'm not familiar with the modern iteration of Shazam, but it was a nice intro to the foster home. No Uncle Dudley or Tawky Tawny though.
I'm not familiar with the modern iteration of Shazam, but it was a nice intro to the foster home. No Uncle Dudley or Tawky Tawny though.
I watched the film yesterday and I absolutely loved it. I knew very little about the character beyond the premise (I think I've only ever read exactly one comic which featured him, way back in the 90s) so the whole story was pretty much new territory for me. I loved how the film balanced the superhero lore, the abject and obvious silliness of a 15-year old boy in a man's body with powers (or as Levi has described it, "Big with superhero powers"), and the seriousness of Billy's loneliness and sense of abandonment. I also appreciated how the film was able to quickly establish the Vasquez home and develop each of the children as distinct characters.
Not knowing the history of the characters (although as I've since read, more recent history), my favorite moment of the film was when Billy shared his powers with his foster siblings so they could properly team up against Sivana! I particularly liked how they didn't know what powers they had or how to use them just like Billy, although they learned quicker because of the high-stress situation.
Easily the best DC film since The Dark Knight Rises.
Not knowing the history of the characters (although as I've since read, more recent history), my favorite moment of the film was when Billy shared his powers with his foster siblings so they could properly team up against Sivana! I particularly liked how they didn't know what powers they had or how to use them just like Billy, although they learned quicker because of the high-stress situation.
Easily the best DC film since The Dark Knight Rises.
I really loved the film and if it wasn't for the competition in the coming weeks such as Hellboy and Avengers Endgame I think it would make oodles of money, it certainly deserves to. I wish that Henry Cavill had been able to play Superman in the cameo at the end though. Plus did you hear what music was played when he walked into the canteen? I wonder does that mean if, IF there is a Man of Steel 2 John Williams' theme will be back? As for stand alone, I think DC have finally gotten how to do stand alone films in a shared universe. The references to other characters and events was just like you'd expect from an episode of an Arrowverse show, though of course Superman's 'appearance' at the end will lead to the obvious 'where was he' when everything was going down in Philly questions? Also I can't imagine dark brooding, slightly homicidal DCEU Batman spawning merchandise like that.
I agree with this. I'm genuinely surprised by all of the negative reactions to that cameo. Plus, Levi's stunt double portrayed Superman in that scene, which I think is a nice touch.
She definitely did! She reminded me of Erica from Stranger Things, but less of a smart ass. I agree she needs to have a spin-off now!Darla totally stole the show though, she should get seven spin-offs immediately.
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Seems the director agrees, too:
https://www.inverse.com/article/545...ors-talks-about-superman-without-henry-cavill
He's right.
The cameo worked a lot better for me on second viewing today. Knowing what is coming helped. Still it does skip Superman and Shazam meeting which should be a big deal. Maybe that could be done as a flashback someday in another movie.
My friends and I were fine with it too.
The cameo itself was fine, it just felt like it was poorly shot with bad cropping to cover up not being able to work in an actor because of a scheduling conflict or something. It gives it a perceived cheapness, real or not. Like season 4 of Arrested Development. Where it was painfully obvious to see them shoot around the actor's schedules.
Its interesting and a huge relief that while both Aquaman and Shazam used Geoff Johns reboots as an outline, they vastly improved his stories. Here in particular drawing on previous incarnations more than he did.
They go out of there way to not fully commit to Shazam as Billy's Superhero name. It will be interesting what happens in the sequels. The public has no reason to call him that. Plus the question of what the rest of the family members names are, has not even been answered in recent comics.
Freddy Freeman was perfectly cast as a kid and his adult versions. Looking very much like the original Captain Marvel Junior. Compared to Gary Frank's long blonde hair character.
Even though Shazam's costume has the new addition of the hood. They completely downplayed it.. While Johns and Frank had him wearing it in almost every scene. Here he only wears it in the scene outside the window when he first sees Freddy. I suspect Zach and the director realized quick how unnecessary it is. With the small hood down it looks similar to the collar of the original Captain Marvel costume. Same thing with the very short cape.
They go out of there way to not fully commit to Shazam as Billy's Superhero name. It will be interesting what happens in the sequels. The public has no reason to call him that. Plus the question of what the rest of the family members names are, has not even been answered in recent comics.
Freddy Freeman was perfectly cast as a kid and his adult versions. Looking very much like the original Captain Marvel Junior. Compared to Gary Frank's long blonde hair character.
Even though Shazam's costume has the new addition of the hood. They completely downplayed it.. While Johns and Frank had him wearing it in almost every scene. Here he only wears it in the scene outside the window when he first sees Freddy. I suspect Zach and the director realized quick how unnecessary it is. With the small hood down it looks similar to the collar of the original Captain Marvel costume. Same thing with the very short cape.
There's two, Mr. Mind visits Sivana in prison to recruit him in the mid credits one, and the post credits one was Captain Marvel trying to talk to fish Aquaman style.
I sure hope they pounce on that sequel soon before the kids age out.
I wonder if the kid actors aging could actually be used in potential sequels? They start out as kids, but by the time they get to a potential third movie (because most big superhero movies seem to like trilogies), its probably 6ish years at least since they filmed the first movie. Instead of trying to hide aging, or recasting the kids, embrace it. Make the kids growing up as heroes together part of the character development. Follow them as they become older teens/adults (because Mary is already ending high school and Billy/Freddy would definitely be at least 18-19 by a third movie), and see how their dynamic changes.
I don't think they can pull a Spider-Man Homecoming with Shazam, filming stories years apart but keeping the character near the same age. Darla and especially Eugene are going to age noticeably even by the time a potential Shazam 2 starts filming (which would probably be next year at the earliest). You really can't keep a 12 year old looking 12, for example, as easily as you can keep a early 20s-ish actor looking 16-18. So, I think if they make sequels, which they probably will do, the kids aging will have to be addressed, not hidden (or at least not hidden that much).
Also Dwayne Johnson, who was a producer on Shazam!, announced he hopes his Black Adam solo film goes into production next year. Saying he looks forward to kicking the family’s butt.
It will be interesting how many cast members appear in that. Djimon Hounsou as the Wizard for Black Adam’s origin is almost a sure thing. The family members in present day? That and Mr Mind is two different sequel stories.
It will be interesting how many cast members appear in that. Djimon Hounsou as the Wizard for Black Adam’s origin is almost a sure thing. The family members in present day? That and Mr Mind is two different sequel stories.
