What “Shazam!” lacks most obviously is gravitas. Also bleakness, darkness and relentless self-seriousness. In other words, it’s terrific fun, and none of the things that were threatening to turn DC Entertainment into the cinematic equivalent of a black hole. Just when the world needs a superhero with a gift for silliness, here he is in a movie whose best superpower turns out to be a good heart. Comic-book fans of a certain age, or scholarly bent, may remember “shazam” as the magic word Billy Batson uttered...

Source: Wall Street Journal April 04, 2019 19:07 UTC