Catching up: ‘Shazam!’ ★★½

By Bob Bloom

“Shazam!” founders because of an inconsistent attitude that can’t decide whether it wants to be a comedic superhero version of “Big” or a straight action-adventure feature with a no-nonsense villain who appears not to be in the film’s jokey premise.

Another of this latest entry from the DC Universe is the lack of a name for this costumed hero. “Shazam!” is what teenage Billy Batson says to transform into a champion of right and justice.

More than 88 years ago, the character had a name — Captain Marvel. But, legal proceedings over the years did what many villains failed to do — kill off the character.

So, now Marvel has a new “Captain Marvel,” while DC is stuck with a nameless superhero — which provides one of the sillier running gags in the movie, as Billy’s friend, Freddie, continually comes up with such lame names as Captain Sparklefingers and Thundercrack.

The key to “Shazam!” is the performance of Zachery Levi as our super guy. You must remember that Billy Batson is a 14-year-old transformed into an adult physically, but still with the mentality and emotions of a teenager.

And Levi carries off the concept perfectly.

The major problem with “Shazam!” is its constant back-and-forth shifting between irreverent comedy and darker moments, provided by Mark Strong’s evil Dr. Thaddeus Sivana, who doesn’t even crack a smile.

Sivana, who, as a child, was rejected by the wizard Shazam to be a champion for good, instead embraces the seven deadly sins by taking a powerful orb that …

Oh, well, you can fill in the rest.

“Shazam!” tries to bring the saucy tone of Marvel’s “Deadpool” and “Guardian of the Galaxy” movies to the more serious and ponderous DC Universe. It succeeds somewhat, but not totally.

It’s as if the studio decided to put a toe in the shallow end of the pool without committing to deeper waters. The movie would have benefited if it had remained steadfast to one course from beginning to end.

Still, “Shazam!” is a good first effort and may help the studio shed its ultra-serious veneer.

I am a founding member of the Indiana Film Journalists Association. My reviews appear at ReelBob (reelbob.com) and Rottentomatoes (www.rottentomatoes.com). I also review Blu-rays and DVDs. I can be reached by email at bobbloomjc@gmail.com or on Twitter @ReelBobBloom. Links to my reviews can be found on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

SHAZAM!

2½ stars out of 4
(PG-13), action violence, language, suggestive material