Shazam!
2019 · Directed by David F. Sandberg
Original language: English
- action
- comedy
- fantasy
The story
A boy is given the ability to become an adult superhero in times of need with a single magic word.
What it’s like
Bright, saturated daylight over Philadelphia's brick rowhouses and crowded city streets, with the palette shifting to glossy primary reds and blues whenever the hero's powers kick in. Its tone is buoyant and goofy, a comic-book romp with a warm, sitcom-like heart and a playful streak that never gets too cynical. Camera work is busy and kinetic in the action beats, with quick cuts, wide establishing shots of the city, and cheeky, cartoonish framing when a teenager tests out his new body in a shop or a bedroom. Sound leans on an upbeat orchestral score with pop-rock accents, and the night-time set pieces carry a neon-tinged sheen, with the familiar DC-style crackle of lightning and magic. Violence is cartoonish and mostly bloodless, with fights full of punches and superpowered slapstick, and a few moments of peril that stay light. Pacing is brisk and playful, with a coming-of-age arc about a foster kid learning what it means to be trusted and to belong to a found family. It suits a Saturday afternoon, a family movie night, or a relaxed comfort watch for anyone who wants something fun, sincere and gently silly.
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