WARNING: SPOILERS

Where do I begin? ^_^ (this one's a long one, sorry I analyzed it so much.)

I love this movie and it was just as enjoyable as the first watch! This movie was a great origin story for Captain Marvel aka Shazam.

Zachary Levi as Shazam was perfect casting in my eyes.

He's naturally funny and has that 'big kid' energy that works so well for the character. Playing a child who becomes a hero with such heart, passion, and excitement, yet capturing that struggle deep down of wanting to belong - to be loved by a family.

Family.

A very strong theme present in this movie and its message.

Billy Batson was pretty closed off to the idea of accepting strangers as his family. He was constantly searching for his biological mother and saw that as his only way of seeking what he had always wanted.

More on that later.

Asher Angel was a great fit for Billy as well.

He captures the struggle of not really feeling like you belong anywhere. In addition to how difficult it can be to feel abandoned.

Being given the powers of the seven wizards, he was reborn as a hero who has it all.

Freddy and Billy both work together to discover his newfound abilities. As you follow these moments in the film, it adds a great balance of comedy and childhood excitement, that I believe anyone, no matter the age, can also feel.

I mean, if you suddenly became a hero, I think you'd be pretty psyched about that too! XD

Billy, although a bit flawed in the beginning, uses his powers for benefit.

It isn't until people were put in danger by his own hands, along with Freddy's harsh, but true words, that he realizes he was being selfish and reckless with his gifts.

When faced with a villain for the first time, Billy then learns what it means to be a true hero and to become the champion of the people he was meant to be.

I have to talk about the transformations! Billy's transformation into Shazam is cinematically well done and adds that extra oomph into any scene. My favorite one is when Billy leaps into the air and takes off as Shazam.

The villain in this movie, Doctor Sivana, is a byproduct of not having a loving family. His father played favoritism and he was made to believe he was never worthy. As a result, that negative belief did become his reality.

Back onto the message of family.

There is a touching moment where Shazam collapses into a fair stand and a father shields his frightened daughter. Billy offers her words of encouragement and offers her a tiger plushie. He tells her to hold on tight and don't let go. This message of strength holds double meaning here and one I consider beautiful and meaningful storytelling.

The tiger is also important canon wise.

Shazam has a tiger named Tawky Tawny.

When Billy was younger, he wanted a tiger plush just like that. He wanted his mom to win it just for him. This was a memory he held on tightly to. A memory that left him both broken and hopeful that he would reunite with her one day.

What I believe Billy was truly seeking was his very own champion.

Sadly, this was a standard she could not live up to. Billy then took his compass, one that she gave him as a prize. It wasn't a prize he had wanted, but one he still held onto. He passed it onto her, hoping she too would one day find her way.

This was the moment he realized that the word 'family' meant more. A title not merely given but earned. Family can be found by those you hold closest to your heart. <3

His mom couldn't be his champion, so he would be the champion for that little girl and the rest of humanity.

Billy learned to accept his foster family as his own and realized they were stronger together. The introduction of the Shazam family was special and done really well in my opinion.

As a family, they manage to defeat evil and save people's lives.

As the movie begins to close, the dinner scene where Billy opens his heart to letting his new family in was indeed the most touching scene in this entire film.

Believe in the power of second chances!

Seeing the final scene was really sweet and meant a lot to Freddy as he usually sat alone at lunch cast out by his peers. His siblings worked out a schedule to sit at the table as a family.

Billy showing up as Shazam to school was another touching moment in this movie and shows that it's the little things that count in life.

Superman showing up was even sweeter haha.

The Shazam family now have their thrones and secret lair and are the new defenders of magic.

End Credits Scene:

Doctor Sivana is visited by the creepy Mister Mind, who devises a plan to overtake the realms.

I look forward to seeing how that is expanded on in the next movie!

So, with all that said, what do I rate this movie?

I rate it a 9.5/10.

This is a movie I can come back to and enjoy every time. I also consider this to be a special movie for many reasons. This was a DC movie back in 2019 that was so refreshing and done well.

What makes Captain Marvel aka Shazam so special is he's a hero children and anyone can look up to. In comics, child/teen heroes were only ever regarded as mere sidekicks. One example is the Teen Titans, one series that aimed to change that.

However, Billy Batson is a child that can be his own hero! He is a hero that can be inspiring to foster children and families and anyone who is seeking their own tribe in life; that sense of worth and belonging. True strength comes from not oneself, but in finding strength in others.

“But we are strong, each in our purpose, and we are all more strong together.” - Bram Stoker

"Family is the heart of a home." - Unknown

Afterall, the power of family can mean so much.

I can't wait for the sequel and hope to see Shazam take on another being who received the same gifts he has - Black Adam.

This movie is one for the champions!

^_^