Less Lightning
PRAISE: I have been trying to remember if Captain Marvel/Shazam still had the mind of a pre teen/teenager in the animated shows and comics like he does in these recent films which I find kind of annoying. I'm glad some portions of this movie focused on the character growing up because that's exactly what I wanted him to do.
Ok I was amused by some of the jokes in the film and the dramatic moments were effective. I thought Rachel Zegler was a great and charming addition to the cast. I thought the villains Kalypso and Hespera portrayed by Helen Mirren and Lucy Liu,were ok it was their display of various powers that impressed me.Theres some great SFX work, some of which reminded me of the old Ray Harryhausen
movies.
PROBLEMS: The first movie had this great and unexpected balance of darkness and humor and I felt this movie was lacking that. It's as if the writers and Director said let's play up the silliness and childishness. I say why ignore most of what made the first film very good? Some of the movie is eye rolling silly making characters look foolish and then some. Zachary Levi turns in a copy and paste performance. There is a way to play this character ,a little over confident and arrogant. Talking down to a villain sarcastically. In this Billy Batson is more mature than Shazam. There is a scene that would have been far more effective with especially what it's linked to but unfortunately someone at the WB decided to spoil it in the TV ads. One of the biggest ad fails ever.
Scale of 1 to 10 a 5½
In the BEST version of the comics etc It is exactly the conflict of Billy bring in a man body and going through life not really being himself never being comfortable in his own skin.
Imagine a "better" version of you existing.
Why would you ever change back? Would you embrace it or resent it. And what about when they are the same "age" as your other you?
Remember Captain Marvel/Shazam has the wisdom of Solomon. How does that work in a teenage mind?
Are they the same person? Or is Billy controlling an avatar or an entirely different person? Depending on the comic it varies.
In the right hands? This character had potential to be awesome especially with the ancient gods and monsters. Andto have a loyal fan base GROW UP along side Billy and the rest of the family.
If I was Gunn I'm not just dumping this character. I'm switching put Levi and keeping the kid and writing an epic tale of self discovery maturity conflict responsibility and power.