"I cannot remember the last time I laughed so hard at a super hero movie"

The latest entry in the DCEU; Shazam is about Billy Batson (Asher Angel) a young foster boy in search for his mother, using methods that could be considered childish and he is put in a new foster home with a family. After helping his foster brother fight off some bullies he is transported to another dimension where the last of a council of wizards (Djimon Hounsou) passes on his powers, the powers of Shazam, to Billy.

All Billy has to do is say the name of the wizard; SHAZAM! and he is transformed to his full potential as a grown man Shazam (Zachary Levi). Only thing is Billy isn't that keen on superheroes so he turns to his superhero buff foster brother Freddy Freeman (Jack Dylan Grazer) for help on how to use his powers... mostly irresponsibly... cause they're kids so they obviously have fun using Billy's newly acquired powers.

That is until mad scientist Dr. Thaddeus Sivana (Mark Strong) shows up with similar powers to bring down Billy and steal his powers for his own. Billy eventually learns the responsibility of his powers and confronts Thaddeus.

I cannot remember the last time I laughed so hard at a super hero movie, for all it's immaturity and well scripted humour it has to be said that SHAZAM is one of the funniest super hero movies ever made and is living proof that The DCEU can have a good laugh and not take itself too seriously.

Which is also odd considering that at the exact same time this movie is pretty damn scary and AGAIN at the same time this movie will kick you in the emotional stomach as this is after all about a kid looking for his mother and thus finding a family.

For the uninitiated; SHAZAM stands for the wisdom of Solomon, the strength of Hercules, the stamina of Atlas (including his invulnerability), the power of Zeus (including his ability to summon thunderbolts), the courage of Achilles and the speed of Mercury (including flight), look out for the incredible sequences where Billy gets to grips with his new found powers, under the tutelage of Freddy. 

With definite inspiration garnered from 80's hits including BIG and The Goonies, SHAZAM is entertaining from start to finish. It starts strong and finishes strong with an OMFG Climax moment that will have the crowd cheering. Everyone played their roles brilliantly especially Zachary Levi and Mark Strong, as polar opposites and who work so well on screen together. Director David F. Sandberg has made a FANTASTIC contribution to The DCEU and we are eagerly awaiting the sequel, DC and Warner Bros. have seemingly understood tone with this film and lean heavily into the comic book ness of its source material to incredible results.