An April release for a December/Christmas-set movie feels a little incongruous, but it helps to imbue this sweet, funny, dynamic superhero movie with a sense of real warmth. Emotionally, the film feels very contemporary, with a wintry Philadelphia providing an apt backdrop for themes of isolation, bullying and the foster-care system, yet the film also has a genuine Spielberg/Columbus sense of wonder and adventure. In some ways, yes, it is (knowingly self-aware) BIG with superheroes, but the film balances the comedic and the serious very effectively indeed. Asher Angel and Zach Dylan Grazer are very engaging as the best friends leads, and Zachary Levi puts his Chuck skills to good purpose here. Until a surprise at the very end, Shazam! follows Wonder Woman and Aquaman in showing that DC needs to establish characters (and can do so successfully) before trying shared universe ventures. In this film. storytelling, is careful, deliberate and thus engages throughout, the relationships on-screen feel sincere and thus Shazam! is a charming, very enjoyable and effortless piece of entertainment.
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