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Ghost Canyon

'Shazam!' [Blu-ray + DVD + Digital]
(Zachary Levi, Asher Angel, Mark Strong, et al / Blu-ray + DVD + Digital / PG-13 / 2019 / Warner Bros.)

Overview: We all have a superhero inside us, it just takes a bit of magic to bring it out.

In Billy Batson's (Asher Angel) case, by shouting out one word - Shazam! - this streetwise 14-year-old foster kid can turn into the adult Super Hero Shazam (Zachary Levi), courtesy of an ancient wizard (Djimon Hounsou).

Blu-ray Verdict: OK, let's start with saying that the acting is fantastic in this new film! Zachary Levi is incredible and very believable as a 14 year old in an adult body. He's funny, energetic, charismatic, and seems like he was totally born to play this part.

Indeed, I would compare him to Christopher Reeve's Superman. Even aside from Levi, the acting is great. I was a little worried about the child actors since they don't always work, but here they were great.

I was also a little worried about the character of Billy originally. Because in the trailers he seemed to be a very angsty kid, and then as Shazam it felt like a very different person.

However in the film it totally works. He is an angsty kid in the beginning, but he goes through a very interesting character arch that makes both characters feel real and believable.

And then we get to probably my favorite part of the film, the heart and great story about family. Billy Batson is a foster kid who just kind of wants to be left alone but he is forced to adjust to a foster family.

It's incredibly common for films to have a very negative portrayal of foster life, and this film refreshingly has a very positive take on it.

The foster parents portrayed in this film are not abusive or negligent, but genuinely want what's best for the kids. This entire part of the film was brilliantly done and filled with so much heart and I loved it.

One specific scene stands out to me at the end of the second act that I won't get into, but I thought that it too was brilliantly acted and portrayed.

My only negative with this film is the same that I have with most comic book films - the villain. However in this case it isn't bad at all, it actually begins in a very intriguing way but there is a big gap in the characters story that bothered me a little.

Mark Strong does a goon job playing the character of Dr. Sivana, and in fact the character isn't bad, but it's not one you're gonna remember.

'Shazam!' is a brilliant film that is a throwback to the old superhero days and a surprisingly self aware with some scenes coming off as a slight parody to me.

It's brilliantly acted, hilarious in oh so many ways and scenes, has a very heartwarming story, and is without a doubt one of the best films in the DCEU. Watch it today with your family and have a right royal and wondrous night's entertainment viewing that you will all be talking about for days thereafter! This is a Widescreen Presentation (1.85:1) enhanced for 16x9 TVs and comes with the Special Features of:

An Exclusive Motion Comic: SUPERHERO HOOKY
Alternate Opening and Ending
Deleted Scenes Gag Reel
Audition Footage
On Set with Zachary Levi
Shazam!'s Backstory

The 'Shazam!' 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray + DVD + Digital releases July 16th, 2019 via Warner Bros. and will be available for the suggested retail price of $29.96 and $24.96, respectively.

www.WarnerVideo.com

Official 'Shazam!' Trailer





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