Shazam! review: Shameless mining of Spielberg, Big pays off for DC Comics

Enlarge / How much fun is Shazam! at its best? This fun. (credit: Warner Bros.)

In order to have a reputation as a more fleshed-out film studio, DC Comics doesn't just need the likes of Wonder Woman. It also needs films like Shazam!-one-off morsels that are free from the weight of a connected universe, that can unabashedly walk the same ground as the best '80s kids-action films, that let us laugh with an infusion of Spielberg-ian heart.

Shazam! is in no position to "redeem" DC Comics' reputation in comparison to Marvel Studios' fare, and it succeeds the most by wearing that fact on its giddy-teen sleeve. Of course, Marvel comparisons are inevitable, so I'll start with one: the resulting film lands somewhere between the first and second Ant-Man films. It's fun. It's funny. It's fine. Shazam! can easily be criticized for issues and lapses, but its worst issues are nitpicks, not damning reasons to steer clear.

We have a Monster Squad apologist here

I was particularly charmed by the solid cast of kids and teens. If shameless mining of the '80s well that brought us Big, The Goonies, and E.T. brings us more talented young actors having fun and kicking butt with magical powers while learning valuable friendship lessons, then, sure. I for one don't really tire of that formula. (Gosh, I still like Monster Squad, which was already an unnecessary Goonies rip-off when it came out 30 years ago.)

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