The first reactions to Shazam! seem to indicate that Warner Bros. has managed to deliver two superlative DC Comics-based movies in a row after a really long time.
We could already sense that Shazam! had everything to win over the critics when Warner Bros. decided to lift the social media embargo for the movie nearly a month before it arrives in theaters. Now with the embargo lifted, the first reactions have surfaced on Twitter, and they point towards the David F. Sandberg flick being another win for DC, just like its forerunner: James Wan's Aquaman.
As you can check out below, there's hardly any critic complaining about anything in the movie. They all seem to adore it for its heart and humor, as well as for the performances of the Zachary Levi-led cast and the direction of Sandberg. Here's a collection of the first reactions!
loved #Shazam. It’s super fun, very funny (a few times people were laughing so loud I missed dialogue), and exactly what they set out to make: ‘Big’ meets Superman. @ZacharyLevi is perfectly cast but the real surprise is @Jgrazerofficial as Freddy Freeman. Steals the show. pic.twitter.com/ssvs8Dwc2P
"” Steven Weintraub (@colliderfrosty) March 8, 2019
Loved #Shazamâ â ! Hilarious and cute. Obsessed with the "Shazamily." Excited to see more fun superhero moves from DC. pic.twitter.com/k9IdgblXv0
"” Rachel Heine (@RachelHeine) March 8, 2019
DC is finally building a solid run: #Shazam is a delight! Its familiar origin structure is forgivable because of all the new it brings to the table – primarily it’s gleeful, childlike enthusiasm, & heartfelt perspective on family. It’s also the role Zachary Levi was born to play. pic.twitter.com/5zXtfFDBGm
"” Eric Eisenberg (@eeisenberg) March 8, 2019
#Shazam is an absolute delight! Super vibrant, tons of heart & a great fun-loving vibe. The family element is a big charmer & so is the humor that comes with watching @ZacharyLevi explore his new powers. Said this after IT but it’s worth repeating – @Jgrazerofficial is a star.
"” Perri Nemiroff (@PNemiroff) March 8, 2019
Shazam! is another win for DC. Sure, the humor & action you’d expect from a superhero film are there, but #ShazamMovie stands out because of the emotional, family story at its center. I had some small issues with the hero/villain aspects but the family stuff is dynamic & powerful pic.twitter.com/FYM3QVp5hu
"” Germain Lussier (@GermainLussier) March 8, 2019
Finally allowed to say that #Shazam was fantastic! Full of heart and pure childhood wish fulfillment. It’s funny and the tone is exactly right. @zacharylevi is perfect in the role, and so is @asherangel, who I’m convinced is @maisie_williams‘ brother! pic.twitter.com/DXhp2ZBteR
"” Jenna Busch (@JennaBusch) March 8, 2019
#Shazam was damn near PERFECT in my book. My FAVORITE DC movie (DCEU? What are we saying now?) by far. Pure of heart, incredibly funny, full of in-jokes and references. Brought me a childlike joy to watch. This role was MADE for @ZacharyLevi… & Jack & Asher & the entire cast pic.twitter.com/rVrxjcwvCe
"” Ash Crossan (@AshCrossan) March 8, 2019
#Shazam is an incredible film. It is full of heart and humor. The kids are phenomenal and have great chemistry. Zachary Levi was perfectly cast and the action was awesome. This is one of DC's best! pic.twitter.com/VSpHbSDjBM
"” Geeks of Color (@GeeksOfColor) March 8, 2019
#Shazam is such a brilliant movie. It's so tremendously fun, and incredibly scary at some points (thanks, David F. Sandberg!). It blows away every expectation and is my new favorite DC movie. pic.twitter.com/DlpymCukTP
"” Brandon Davis (@BrandonDavisBD) March 8, 2019
I absolutely loved #Shazam! It’s my favorite DC film yet. Zachary Levi as Shazam was perfect casting and the kids absolutely steal the show. It’s an amazing family movie with dope fight scenes and great humor! You guys are going to love it. pic.twitter.com/pZd5oORVA3
"” Dorian Parks (@DorianParksnRec) March 8, 2019
#Shazam is as liberated a comic book movie for DC as Deadpool was for Fox-Marvel;, not in the latter's profanely meta way but in a similarly hilarious, lovable, and oddly sweet manner. It makes you understand why Shazam the character has endured for eight decades. pic.twitter.com/zgsfmagVML
"” Jim Vejvoda (@JimVejvoda) March 8, 2019
#Shazam is a super-powered BIG & I LOVED every second of it. A colorful, vibrant, vital addition to the DCEU. Vivid character-driven action, heartrending central relationships & fully earned, totally satisfying emotional moments. Super hilarious. Super thrilling. Super awesome! pic.twitter.com/KelHZ5YzFq
"” Courtney Howard (@Lulamaybelle) March 8, 2019
#Shazam is big, goofy, lovable, and unlike anything DC has done before. Definitely in the vein of Tom Hanks’ BIG, but with superhero action & lots of Batman and Superman references. I dug this film so much I wanted to give it a bear hug at the end. DC’s movies keep getting better pic.twitter.com/WQJgo61gMg
"” Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) March 8, 2019
.@ShazamMovie Electrifies the DCEU! @ZacharyLevi is absolutely awesome as #SHAZAM Check out my reaction video! pic.twitter.com/iZgUaixRMR
"” Umberto Gonzalez (@elmayimbe) March 8, 2019
Shazam! is the superhero film that you never knew you needed. Zachary Levi was born to play this role. Ridiculously entertaining & non-stop fun from start to finish. Loved every character & all of the pop culture references. This is what going to the movies is all about. #Shazam pic.twitter.com/SxCcCTy2ZB
"” Scott Menzel (@TheOtherScottM) March 8, 2019
Shazam showcases Zachary Levi’s charm and charisma as an actor and has a heartfelt and inspiring message at its core. Despite the dark tone in parts, it ends up bringing about lots of laughs and fun for all. #shazam #shazammovie pic.twitter.com/nyK1fWgykE
"” Ashley Menzel @ SXSW (@AshleyGMenzel) March 8, 2019
#Shazam is parts Home Alone, parts Big, a crowd pleasing family-friendly joy-filled wish-fulfillment superhero film which gets a bit over the top and cheesy at times. It's fun and funny, and I was surprised at how much it wears it's heart on its sleeve.
"” Peter Sciretta (@slashfilm) March 8, 2019
#Shazam is emotionally uneven, yet absolutely FUN. @ZacharyLevi perfects Shazam, though @Jgrazerofficial is the real hero here. All in all, it’s an average superhero movie – but it’s one that feels like a breath of fresh air. pic.twitter.com/zwfG1hqidE
"” Mansoor Mithaiwala (@MansoorAYM) March 8, 2019
We all have a superhero inside us, it just takes a bit of magic to bring it out. In Billy Batson's case, by shouting out one word"”SHAZAM!"”this streetwise 14-year-old foster kid can turn into the adult Super Hero Shazam, courtesy of an ancient wizard. Still a kid at heart"”inside a ripped, godlike body"”Shazam revels in this adult version of himself by doing what any teen would do with superpowers: have fun with them! Can he fly? Does he have X-ray vision? Can he shoot lightning out of his hands? Can he skip his social studies test? Shazam sets out to test the limits of his abilities with the joyful recklessness of a child. But he'll need to master these powers quickly in order to fight the deadly forces of evil controlled by Dr. Thaddeus Sivana.
