If you want to save the world, say the magic word.

Starring: Zachary Levi, Mark Strong, Asher Angel, Jack Dylan Grazer, Adam Brody, Djimon Hounsou, Faithe Herman, Meagan Good, Grace Caroline Currey, Michelle Borth, Ian Chen, Ross Butler, Jovan Armand, Cooper Andrews, Marta Milans

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ - good

"No, no, 'cause heroes fly. And who doesn't want people to think they're a hero, right? But invisibility, no way. That's pervy." - Freddie Freeman, answering why he'd pick flight as a super power.

Why watch this? After several dark films, DC finally made a film kids could enjoy.

Plot Summary: A troubled, streetwise foster kid named Billy Batson suddenly gains the ability to transform into an adult superhero simply by shouting the name Shazam. While struggling to master his extraordinary powers with the help of his foster brother, Freddy, Billy must face a deadly villain who seeks to harness the same magic for nefarious purposes. Ultimately, the film is a story about family and discovering what it means to be a hero, rather than just possessing superpowers.

Dad's Preview: The character of Captain Marvel goes way back in comic book history, pre-dating Marvel's version, and even Superman. It's a long story how DC acquired the rights to the character, but anyway, here we are. Now called Shazam, our hero basically a super-being who gets his powers from the Gods. From the start this film is a lot of old-fashioned fun, most of it coming from Zachary Levi, a grown-ass, well-built actor who expertly can act like a ten-year-old. Present are the usual super-hero tropes of magical powers and villains, but what makes this movie stand out is Billy Batson's adopted parents and extended foster family. It warms the film up to a pleasant level and gives us more in which to invest our emotions. And that is worthy of attention.   

New Line Cinema, DC Films, The Safran Co., Seven Bucks Prod.;
Warner Bros. Pictures