Honestly, i didn't expect this movie to be good but when i finally watched it i changed my mind. Felt entertaining and interesting

"Shazam!" is a frustrating film to watch. On one hand, the film tries to be more a kids' superhero movie...and excellent idea since this would help the film to stand apart from the bazillion other superhero films. But, on the other, the film has some rather adult content...making it not especially appropriate to younger viewers! So, it seems like the case of a film where the filmmakers weren't exactly sure what direction to take with the project.

Billy Batson is a troubled orphan who has run away from foster home after foster home after foster home. Inexplicably, he's bestowed the superpowers that enable him to become Shazam*.....a seemingly odd choice. At first, Billy uses the power to make money and is a bit of a jerk....my favorite parts of the movie actually. Later, however, when a supervillain attacks, it's time for Billy to grow up and accept responsibility for his actions.

As I mentioned above, although the film is about a kid superhero and his young companions, it also features a lot of cursing, inapproriate contenxt AND a cursing/vile Santa Claus! I honestly think the film project must have changed the focus of the film and it really seems that it's like two movies in one...and should have been one. Still, it is entertaining and, at times, quite magical...though at others it is less stellar and needed a bit of an editing.

My only previous reference to Shazam! is the 70s morning TV series that Michael Gray and Les Tremayne starred in with two different actor playing the adult Captain Marvel. It was shot on a shoestring budget with Gray and Tremayne wearing the same clothing every episode.

No budgetary expense here was spared in Shazam! the movie. We get some background on the teen Billy Batson who is in a group home in Philadelphia and wants to find his parents. He's not a bad kid, but a mischievous one who is the troublemaker for the adults at the home.

One fine day he's contacted from an alternate world and given the power of a superhero. Which he's fine with, but not sure how to use. Asher Angel is Billy and the adult superhero he can transform himself to is Zachary Levi. Watching Levi as the adult is like watching Adam Sandler. Maybe the producers tried for Sandler originally.

Things go great until he runs into a super villain Mark Strong. It seems back in the day when Strong was a kid he entered the same realm, but was rejected. Now he's back having aligned himself with demon forces.

Shazam! for all its technical wizardry is a show for kids of all ages. By the way no name for the superhero is decided so you will not hear Captain Marvel.

That comes in a sequel I'm sure.