SHAZAM!: Social Media Embargo Lifted to Overwhelmingly Positive Reactions from Critics
It’s the weekend of March 8 which means Captain Marvel has hit theaters. But, at the same time, DC’s Captain Marvel — Shazam — is experiencing a sort-of coming-out party of his own. The social media embargo on early reactions for David F. Sandberg’s Shazam! was lifted by Warner Bros.
Similar to Aquaman, Shazam! is receiving fulsome praise. Hailed as fun by most, it is also described as “unlike anything” Warner has done with DC comics before (which must indicate it’s better than Aquaman in the eyes of the test audiences).
Some critics could not contain their plaudits in a single tweet. Brandon Davis, a writer for ComicBook.com, raves Shazam! is a win and different but didn’t stop there. He calls it his new favorite too, saying the movie is fun, and revealing it’s unexpectedly scary.
#Shazam is another gigantic win for DC following #Aquaman and #WonderWoman and is just so different from both of them. I love it.
— Brandon Davis (@BrandonDavisBD) March 8, 2019
#Shazam is such a brilliant movie. It’s so tremendously fun, and incredibly scary at some points (thanks, David F. Sandberg!). It blows away every expectation and is my new favorite DC movie. pic.twitter.com/DlpymCukTP
— Brandon Davis (@BrandonDavisBD) March 8, 2019
When asked what he meant by scary, Davis’ reply suggests it was better than Venom in that respect. Not hard to believe with David Sandberg’s resume.
It is SCARY. Like scary in the ways we wanted #Venom to be. But then it switches to brilliant, side splitting fun. It’s so impressive. #Shazam https://t.co/HtBbxpYQpJ
— Brandon Davis (@BrandonDavisBD) March 8, 2019
Davis compliments director Sandberg and the cast. Jack Dylan Grazer (Freddy Freeman) gets his highest seal of approval: show stealer.
The cast of #Shazam is just genius. @ZacharyLevi, @AsherAngel , @smugorange, and Mark Strong are all just awesome. I had a blast watching all of them, and they play such different parts.
Jack Dylan Glazer is an absolute scene stealer as Freddy Freeman.
— Brandon Davis (@BrandonDavisBD) March 8, 2019
Editor-in-Chief at JoBlo.com, Paul Shirey, is next up with his elated reaction. Shirey admits he lost track while recalling one-liners, the score (and its John Williams feel), and performances, noting the “obvious” tip of the hat to the 80s. He echoes the view Shazam! is fun, new, and distinct — and that Grazer is one of the best parts of the film.
#Shazam is a laugh-out-loud funny romp that captures the innocence and challenge of being both a superhero and a kid at once. It’s clever, fun and heroic with an obvious nod to 80s classics like Big, Ghostbusters, The Goonies etc. @joblocom @ShazamMovie
— Paul Shirey (@arcticninjapaul) March 8, 2019
The #Shazam score by Benjamin Wallfisch harkens back to a John Williams Superman type hero score, which is fitting given the material. It plays well throughout, especially the ending, which is sure to bring audiences back again and again for…reasons. @ShazamMovie @joblocom
— Paul Shirey (@arcticninjapaul) March 8, 2019
There are so many hilarious and absolutely clever moments in #Shazam that I lost track. There’s no other superhero movie like this in existence. You never feel been-there-done-that with this one, even if some of it falls into the realm of stereotypical character tropes. @joblocom
— Paul Shirey (@arcticninjapaul) March 8, 2019
The scene stealer of #Shazam is Jack Dylan Grazer who is perfect as Freddy. Smart, hilarious, vulnerable & with plenty of attitude, he’s the second half of the heart of the film, with Asher Angel’s Billy Batson supplying the rest. Shazam & Freddy together are pure gold. @joblocom
— Paul Shirey (@arcticninjapaul) March 8, 2019
Shirey reveals Shazam! “lives” or ties into DC’s Extended Universe, something we reported weeks back. And, despite reports of the studio’s new direction, maybe quite overt about DCEU continuity. Furthermore, he says to stay around for the credits (hinting at a predicted Superman cameo perhaps).
#Shazam is also a film that absolutely lives and breathes in the wider DCEU and numerous callbacks (some of them quite hilarious) are featured throughout. Lots of cool nods and surprises throughout. Stay all the way to the end credits. @joblocom @ShazamMovie
— Paul Shirey (@arcticninjapaul) March 8, 2019
Steven Weintraub of Collider agrees the film is reverent to 80s movies — making reference to the usual comparison, Big — and tweets highly about the cast (including Grazer), as well as the fun factor of the whole “romp.” The movie “they set out to make,” he says.
loved #Shazam. It’s super fun, very funny (a few times people were laughing so loud I missed dialogue), and exactly what they set out to make: ‘Big’ meets Superman. @ZacharyLevi is perfectly cast but the real surprise is @Jgrazerofficial as Freddy Freeman. Steals the show. pic.twitter.com/ssvs8Dwc2P
— Steven Weintraub (@colliderfrosty) March 8, 2019
Contrary to Shirey, Weintraub doesn’t think it fits so neatly into the DCEU, not that Billy Batson and his friends have to. It’s a win for DC/Warner either way in his book.
Another thing that’s great about #Shazam is #DC didn’t try and make a movie that fits in perfectly with the larger DC Universe. They just focused on making a great Shazam movie and hit a homerun. DC is def on a winning streak. Bring on Todd Phillips ‘Joker’! pic.twitter.com/sH1kyprCMZ
— Steven Weintraub (@colliderfrosty) March 8, 2019
It’s worth noting, beyond Big, Ghostbusters, and Superman, there are those comparing Shazam! to a similarly lighthearted and sardonic good guy at Marvel: Deadpool. The Merc With A Mouth was a genuinely surprising hit for Fox and Marvel. Between projections and tracking of early ticket sales, DC’s classic bearer of the title Captain Marvel and his first solo film look to be on the path to the same level of success.
The early reactions don’t deny. You can look at more of that glowing feedback from critics and news sites below.
#Shazam transports us to this imagined world, but is of our world enough for catharsis and vicarious mystical adventure.
I LOVED the performances. No surprise when it comes to Zachary Levi, but Jack Dylan Grazer was also a stand out. pic.twitter.com/LqETk92QQN
— Roth Cornet (@RothCornet) March 8, 2019
Loved #Shazam ! Hilarious and cute. Obsessed with the “Shazamily.” Excited to see more fun superhero moves from DC. pic.twitter.com/k9IdgblXv0
— Rachel Heine (@RachelHeine) March 8, 2019
#Shazam is an absolute joy. Both definitely in the DCEU and nothing at all like any DCEU movie so far, it’s funny, warm, good hearted and silly and the cast is terrific. Watch out for our review soon. pic.twitter.com/NNPU5hqNtv
— Den Of Geek UK (@denofgeek) March 8, 2019
Shazam! is DC’s most joyful & sweet movie since the era of Christopher Reeve’s Superman, a funny yet earnest coming of age story about a boy who learns that, well, with great power comes great responsibility. It doesn’t reinvent the superhero movie wheel, but it’s undeniably fun! pic.twitter.com/rdT8zljkxo
— Jim Vejvoda (@JimVejvoda) March 8, 2019
#Shazam is as liberated a comic book movie for DC as Deadpool was for Fox-Marvel;, not in the latter’s profanely meta way but in a similarly hilarious, lovable, and oddly sweet manner. It makes you understand why Shazam the character has endured for eight decades. pic.twitter.com/zgsfmagVML
— Jim Vejvoda (@JimVejvoda) March 8, 2019
Shazam! is another win for DC. Sure, the humor & action you’d expect from a superhero film are there, but #ShazamMovie stands out because of the emotional, family story at its center. I had some small issues with the hero/villain aspects but the family stuff is dynamic & powerful pic.twitter.com/FYM3QVp5hu
— Germain Lussier (@GermainLussier) March 8, 2019
Finally allowed to say that #Shazam was fantastic! Full of heart and pure childhood wish fulfillment. It’s funny and the tone is exactly right. @zacharylevi is perfect in the role, and so is @asherangel, who I’m convinced is @maisie_williams‘ brother! pic.twitter.com/DXhp2ZBteR
— Jenna Busch (@JennaBusch) March 8, 2019
#Shazam is parts Home Alone, parts Big, a crowd pleasing family-friendly joy-filled wish-fulfillment superhero film which gets a bit over the top and cheesy at times. It’s fun and funny, and I was surprised at how much it wears it’s heart on its sleeve.
— Peter Sciretta (@slashfilm) March 8, 2019
#Shazam was shockingly good! Reminds of me of when kids’ movies were legitimately scary (in a good way). An absolute blast from start to finish, full of heart and hilarity. My face hurt from smiling so much. Amazing deep cut DC references in there too. pic.twitter.com/ZXJOI5lcsM
— Dan Casey (@DanCasey) March 8, 2019
#Shazam was damn near PERFECT in my book. My FAVORITE DC movie (DCEU? What are we saying now?) by far. Pure of heart, incredibly funny, full of in-jokes and references. Brought me a childlike joy to watch. This role was MADE for @ZacharyLevi… & Jack & Asher & the entire cast pic.twitter.com/rVrxjcwvCe
— Ash Crossan (@AshCrossan) March 8, 2019
DC is finally building a solid run: #Shazam is a delight! Its familiar origin structure is forgivable because of all the new it brings to the table – primarily it’s gleeful, childlike enthusiasm, & heartfelt perspective on family. It’s also the role Zachary Levi was born to play. pic.twitter.com/5zXtfFDBGm
— Eric Eisenberg (@eeisenberg) March 8, 2019
Shazam! opens April 5.
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