Critics share their first reactions to Shazam
By Erik Swann
With the first reactions to Warner Bros. and DC’s Shazam having arrived on the web, what are the critics saying about the new, superhero flick?
Shazam, the latest feature from Warner Bros. and DC films, is still a few weeks from hitting the big screen, but members of the press have gotten a chance to see the film. Now, with the social media embargo lifted, they’re taking to social media to share their thoughts. So what did they think of the Big Red Cheese’s theatrical debut?
Early reactions to Shazam have been highly positive, with many critics praising the lighthearted tone, consistent humor and thrilling action sequences. A lot of praise has also been directed as Zachary Levi for his performance in the title role. The young child stars led by Asher Angel are also being seen as stand-outs. Overall, the film appears to be just what it was advertised as — the Big of the DC Universe:
#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
#Shazam is an absolute delight! Super vibrant, tons of heart & a great fun-loving vibe. The family element is a big charmer & so is the humor that comes with watching @ZacharyLevi explore his new powers. Said this after IT but it's worth repeating - @Jgrazerofficial is a star.
— Perri Nemiroff (@PNemiroff) March 8, 2019
#Shazam is big, goofy, lovable, and unlike anything DC has done before. Definitely in the vein of Tom Hanks' BIG, but with superhero action & lots of Batman and Superman references. I dug this film so much I wanted to give it a bear hug at the end. DC's movies keep getting better pic.twitter.com/WQJgo61gMg
— Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) 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
— BD (@BrandonDavisBD) March 8, 2019
I absolutely loved #Shazam! It's my favorite DC film yet. Zachary Levi as Shazam was perfect casting and the kids absolutely steal the show. It's an amazing family movie with dope fight scenes and great humor! You guys are going to love it. pic.twitter.com/pZd5oORVA3
— Dorian Parks (@DorianParksnRec) 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.
— /Film (@slashfilm) March 8, 2019
#Shazam is a super-powered BIG & I LOVED every second of it. A colorful, vibrant, vital addition to the DCEU. Vivid character-driven action, heartrending central relationships & fully earned, totally satisfying emotional moments. Super hilarious. Super thrilling. Super awesome! pic.twitter.com/KelHZ5YzFq
— Courtney Howard (@Lulamaybelle) March 8, 2019
#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
— Arctic Ninja (@arcticninjapaul) March 8, 2019
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
I've seen #Shazam. I LOVED Shazam. It's an absolute blast, very much carried by a strong cast of kid actors and an awesome performance from @ZacharyLevi. There's so much heart and humor in this film -- not to mention a positive message and great twists. It's a needed burst of joy
— Terri Schwartz (@Terri_Schwartz) March 8, 2019
It’s no secret that Warner Bros. and DC have had a bit of a rough time building a film franchise. But the successes of Wonder Woman and Aquaman seemed to indicate that they’re moving in the right direction. And now, based on these early responses, Shazam seems to only add to that notion.
By screening the film so early, it appears that Warner Bros. had a lot of faith in the movie, and that faith seems to have been well placed. While the full review embargo doesn’t lift until March 23, it wouldn’t be surprising to see more positive responses.
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These reactions could also be a very positive factor for the film’s box office performance. As of right now, long-range tracking pegs it for an opening weekend of $48 million and an overall U.S. gross of $144 million, the lowest of any DCEU installment. These can mostly be attributed to the general public’s unfamiliarity with the character. But of course, with positive reviews, these numbers could increase. If the Marvel Cinematic Universe has proved anything, it’s that audiences are willing to embrace movies with relatively unknown characters.
Next. The Suicide Squad: The new characters have been revealed. dark
Things are looking up for Shazam, right now, and fans will no doubt be looking forward to seeing the movie for themselves when it hits theaters on April 5.