SHAZAM!
Recap
An orphan Bill Batson (Asher Angel) is on a quest to find his mother and the family he has always wanted. On his journey he is spirited away to the Rock of Eternityand granted the powers of an ancient Wizard (Djimon Hounsou) turning him into the superhero Shazam (Zachary Levi). With his new found powers Billy turns to his foster brother Freddy Freeman (Jack Dylan Grazer) to help him figure out both his powers and how to be a superhero. When he is eventually confronted by our villain Dr. Thaddeus Sivana (Mark Strong), Billy has to grow up and learn not just what it means to be a hero, but what it also means to be a part of a family.
Review
With their seventh entry in the DCEU it seems that Warner Bros. is finally starting to hit their stride. This film picks up some of the same threads as Aquaman. We have a likeable comedic hero who is reluctant to answer the call to action, while still maintaining some elements of the darker side DC wants to portray.
This is very much a coming of age story, we are given the story of BIlly Batson (Asher Angel) an orphan trying to find his place in the world and the family he was denied. It has all the tropes portrayed about foster life a rebellious youth kicked out of every foster family on his last chance to find a place to call home. 
Shazam! builds and builds upon itself slowly pulling you more and more into it concluding in your typical superhero final battle. For the most part the comedy lands keeping your interaction with Shazam light-hearted. While everything relating to our villain is extremely dark for a movie geared towards being a family film. 
The only thing I found truly hard to stomach in this film was the CGI. This seems to be a recurring problem in DCEU films they seem to really skimp on the budget when it comes to some of the things they choose to animate over using real props. The muscle suits can also be kind of hard to look at. Is it more comic accurate? Yes, would if be better to see the actors closer to their normal sizes? Maybe. This movie was clearly geared more towards the younger generation than any other DCEU film which judging from my kids reaction was well received. 
Final Thoughts
With the last two entries into the DCEU it seems WB/DC are finding the formula they wish to keep moving forward. You make a likable and campy hero and keep all of the darker parts of DC with the villains. This is a good film, not great but it continues to point the DCEU in the right direction.
SHAZAM! Movie Review: Say My Name So My Powers May Flow Through You
- Writing - 6/106/10
- Storyline - 7/107/10
- Acting - 6/106/10
- Music - 6/106/10
- Production - 6/106/10
