Shazam! is played in 3 acts, each with varying level of success.
The first act introduces the film's antagonist, Dr. Sivana. One of the key ingredients of all great action films is getting the audience to empathize with the antagonist. IMO, the first act is just too rushed and goofy.
The second act is the polar opposite. It's almost as if it was written and directed by a different team. It has a strong Stranger Things meets The Greatest American Hero vibe. Great casting, executed with lots of hearts and laughs. The dynamics within the foster family is just utterly charming.
The final act is a mixed bag. Weak antagonist combined with low budget-style execution fail to excite. IMO, the film should've taken The Matrix route, which peeled one mystery layer at a time until the final reveal, perfectly synced to the final climatic moment.
All in all, I loved the foster family, which made the final act all the more frustrating to watch. The film could've been one of the greatest superhero movies for younger audience. Instead, it succumbs to lack of focus and sloppy directing and writing.
Shout by nutmacBlockedParent2019-06-29T18:00:57Z
Shazam! is played in 3 acts, each with varying level of success.
The first act introduces the film's antagonist, Dr. Sivana. One of the key ingredients of all great action films is getting the audience to empathize with the antagonist. IMO, the first act is just too rushed and goofy.
The second act is the polar opposite. It's almost as if it was written and directed by a different team. It has a strong Stranger Things meets The Greatest American Hero vibe. Great casting, executed with lots of hearts and laughs. The dynamics within the foster family is just utterly charming.
The final act is a mixed bag. Weak antagonist combined with low budget-style execution fail to excite. IMO, the film should've taken The Matrix route, which peeled one mystery layer at a time until the final reveal, perfectly synced to the final climatic moment.
All in all, I loved the foster family, which made the final act all the more frustrating to watch. The film could've been one of the greatest superhero movies for younger audience. Instead, it succumbs to lack of focus and sloppy directing and writing.