Shazam! humorously plays with its genre and premise. It's anchored by its protagonist's arc, who accepts the responsibility of his power and embraces his family by learning to let others in. It isn't subtle or challenging, but it's more substance than most blockbusters. Unfortunately, beyond that, the film is formulaic. There's flat caricatures, nonsense lore, thin villains, excessive side characters, an inconsistent and bloated climax, and coincidental plot points. Still, the leads have chemistry and Levi plays a teen well (though he isn't the same character as his alter ego). Ultimately, Shazam! switches between mocking and depending on tropes, stuttering its transcendence.
Technically, Shazam! is adequate. Its light tone is choppy but works. The cinematography uses focus, movement, and lighting, yet also gets drab and chaotic. Its editing adds montages, flashbacks, action, inserts, and smash cuts, yet the finale's pacing drags. The music adds pop hits to a cliche score. Its cast is competent but lacks star power. The production design provides fantasy elements and embraces corniness, yet isn't creative, detailed, or immersive. The effects are spotty and mostly digital. Its sound combines sci-fi, action, and fantasy with echoes, distortions, emphasis, and stings. Overall, Shazam!'s heart and wit are offset by its generic plot and craft.
Writing: 7/10
Direction: 7/10
Cinematography: 6/10
Acting: 7/10
Editing: 7/10
Sound: 8/10
Score/Soundtrack: 6/10
Production Design: 7/10
Casting: 6/10
Effects: 7/10
Overall Score: 6.8/10
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