DC fans rejoice, you have found redemption and his name is Shazam! Not since Nolan left the franchise will you find a better movie, and you would have to go back decades to find a DC movie more wholesome. When origin stories tend to be slow paced character builds, Shazam! keeps a steady pace of entertainment throughout every act. Light hearted was the theme, but was dark (not in cinematography) when it needed to be. Shazam is the movie that could finally steer the ever teetering ship that is DC straight.

Zachary Levi (Shazam) is the man-child that this role needed. He has always acted with a child like gleam in his eye and this is the role he was meant to play. His child version, played by Asher Angel (Billy Batson), does a great job of getting you attached to both characters. Without his performance it would be hard to get attached to either character and the movie would of been lost. Jack Dylan Grazer (Freddy Freeman) gives one of the best neurotic comedy performances from a child. His comic relief, alongside Zachary Levi, was the perfect blend of humor to tell this story. Mark Strong (Dr. Thaddeus Sivana) was born to play villains. With his commanding voice added with a presence so intense that it surely makes everyone in the room feel heavier, Strong emits an aura of a man that constantly contemplates world domination.

I’ll be the first one in line to dump all over a DC failure. They do it so often and so well, it has almost become second nature to do so. It was so refreshing to walk into Shazam! and be totally entertained the entire movie. The comedy, the tragedy, the family message. All are done in a manner that not only entertains you, but also builds a connection without naming the main characters mothers Martha. A movie the entire family can love, Shazam! is the movie the DCEU needed. As a die hard Marvel fan, I now know how the rest of the country felt for us Cub’s fans after they won the world series. DC fans, you earned this one and I’m glad to see you get a W.

After you get to see Shazam!, come rejoice on our comment board or leave us a voice mail (815- 905-1414) on why it was meh.