Can Warner Bros. make it two in a row? With the massive success of “Aquaman,” which earned over $1.14 billion worldwide, fans were curious whether the upcoming “Shazam!” would be able to keep the momentum going. While we still are a month away from knowing how the box office for the film might end up, it appears that fans are going to really enjoy the flick.
Reviews for these superhero films come in waves now. The first rumblings we get about the quality of a film come from highly dubious sources at test screenings that will either say a film is incredible or hot garbage. Those are always taken with a grain of salt. Next, we have the social media “reactions” from the select critics (normally those coming from more superhero-friendly sources) that are allowed to give a few short sentences on Twitter about their feelings. That’s before we finally get full-on, nuanced reviews that tend to even things out a bit.
With “Shazam!,” we are at the social media reaction stage, and as reactions go, it appears people are really, really jazzed by Zachary Levi’s superhero film. And perhaps, once the film hits theaters, WB could be looking at back-to-back DCEU wins.
Folks are using descriptors like “brilliant,” “hilarious,” as well as one critic saying the film is “sweet, funny, inclusive, charming.” These are high praise for the DCEU, which, with films like “Batman v. Superman” and 2017’s “Justice League,” was hearing very different adjectives.
Not to get ahead of myself too much, but the reactions to this film are pretty much 100% ecstatic. Even with “Aquaman,” which as we mentioned earned over a billion dollars, the Rotten Tomatoes score ended up at 65%. Could we be looking at the next film to rival “Wonder Woman’s” 93% RT score? Perhaps!
Here are some of the reactions:
https://twitter.com/RosieMarx/status/1103852468176183298
https://twitter.com/RachelHeine/status/1103846650080948224
#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 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 (@ScottDMenzel) March 8, 2019
#Shazam is a BLAST! @ZacharyLevi is perfect as Earth’s Mightiest Mortal and the film has such heart. Very unique take on genre that doesn’t take itself too seriously & embraces the weirdness of comics. Mindblowing easter eggs for hardcore fans! 👊⚡️ pic.twitter.com/PbLGNXCkKy
— Nicholas Whitcomb (@Whos_Nick) 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 Boooooooooosch-Henderson👻 (@JennaBusch) 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
#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
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
#Shazam is a laugh-out-loud funny romp that captures the innocence and challenge of being both a superhero and a kid at once. It’s clever, fun and heroic with an obvious nod to 80s classics like Big, Ghostbusters, The Goonies etc. @joblocom @ShazamMovie
— Arctic Ninja (@arcticninjapaul) March 8, 2019
Zachary Levi was born to play #Shazam He delivers lots of laughs alongside co-star Jack Dylan Grazer. The film packs some big surprises for comics buffs and offers enough mainstream appeal to win over new fans. Shazam’s strengths definitely outweigh its weaknesses. pic.twitter.com/kfFMW01jfO
— Jim Vejvoda (@JimVejvoda) 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
#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
https://twitter.com/AshleyGMenzel/status/1103837950863962113
#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.
— /Film (@slashfilm) 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
— Evil Eric Eisenberg (@eeisenberg) 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 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
