7.4 | / 10 |
Users | 4.1 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
We all have a superhero inside us, it just takes a bit of magic to bring it out. In Billy Batson's case, by shouting out one word - SHAZAM! - this streetwise 14-year-old foster kid can turn into the adult superhero Shazam.
Starring: Zachary Levi, Mark Strong, Asher Angel, Jack Dylan Grazer, Adam BrodyAction | 100% |
Adventure | 94% |
Comic book | 89% |
Fantasy | 78% |
Sci-Fi | 76% |
Comedy | Insignificant |
Video codec: HEVC / H.265
Video resolution: 4K (2160p)
Aspect ratio: 2.39:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: Dolby Atmos
English: Dolby TrueHD 7.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
English: Dolby Digital 5.1 (448 kbps)
French (Canada): Dolby Digital 5.1
Italian: Dolby Digital 5.1 (448 kbps)
Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1 (448 kbps)
Polish: Dolby Digital 5.1
Turkish: Dolby Digital 5.1
English SDH, French, Italian SDH, Spanish, Arabic, Cantonese, Danish, Finnish, Korean, Mandarin (Traditional), Norwegian, Polish, Swedish, Turkish
Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (2 BDs)
Digital copy
4K Ultra HD
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A, B (C untested)
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 5.0 | |
Extras | 3.5 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Though it was only moderately profitable (at least by comic book movie standards), David F. Sandberg's surprisingly great Shazam! is easily one of DC's best films in recent memory. Our story follows frequent runaway Billy Batson (Asher Angel) on the streets of Philadelphia, whose regular run-ins with the law are only outnumbered by his amount of foster parents and failed attempts to contact his biological mother. Billy now lives with Rosa and Victor Vasquez (Marta Milans and Cooper Andrews), who already have five foster kids living under their roof including superhero fan Freddy Freeman (Jack Dylan Grazer). Everything changes once Billy is summoned to the "Rock of Eternity" by ancient wizard Shazam (Djimon Hounsou), who's seeking someone pure of heart to take his place. It was the same opportunity given to dozens of other kids during the last few decades -- but none were worthy, including Dr. Thaddeus Sivana (Mark Strong), who now dedicates his adult life to stealing the wizard's magic for himself. Nonetheless, Billy is chosen and, as the full-grown Shazam (Zachary Levi), has almost unlimited powers and is psyched to try them all out.
Shot digitally with Arri Alexa Mini and SXT cameras at a native 3.4K resolution, Shazam! is ever-so-slightly upscaled for this 4K release. It's similar to the technical specs of Aquaman, with the obvious disclaimer that both films vary quite a bit in their visual styles and the number of CGI effects used. And while Shazam! obviously aims for a much more down-to-earth atmosphere (or at least out-of-water), the benefits of this 2160p transfer and HDR color grading are absolutely not wasted on it. There are too many highlights to count: Shazam's glowing chest emblem (practically lit, not CGI-enhanced), the wizard's lair, magic-oriented effects, and real-world locations such as the climactic carnival visit, just to name a few. Primaries pop amazingly well and really jump out in darker scenes, while subtle variants of blue and red create a great deal of visual interest in unexpected areas. Image detail is outstanding during wide shots and close-ups alike (Shazam's costume, for example, is layered with Green and Roman textures that are more "readable" in 4K), with crisply-defined edges and excellent contrast levels that give the image a smooth but not waxy appearance.
My only reservations about the Blu-ray were in regard to occasional noise during darker scenes and banding on subtle gradients (especially during one scene where Freddie touches Shazam's emblem); while not eliminated completely, these issues are dialed back to almost zero thanks to the film's substantially higher bit rate and more robust color grading. (In fact, I am all but convinced that any remaining issues, no matter how minor, may be part of the original source material at this point.) In motion, all but the most eagle-eyed viewers will notice absolutely no shortcomings. Shazam! is simply a great-looking film and this 4K edition represents the strongest option currently available.
For an evaluation of the Blu-ray's 1080p transfer, please see my review of the Blu-ray.
For an evaluation of the Dolby Atmos mix, please see my review of the Blu-ray. Please note that the 4K disc features different language and subtitle options during the main feature, listed above.
For an evaluation of the on-disc bonus features (contained on the Blu-ray only), please see my review of the Blu-ray. These included extras are listed below in name only.
David F. Sandberg's Shazam! is the rare modern superhero movie that seems to get everything just about right: it maintains a (mostly) light tone while throwing in a few well-placed darker elements, establishes great characters that interact well with each other, doesn't overstay its welcome, and avoids loading up on overcooked special effects. I'll admit to not being overly familiar with the source material, but I enjoyed myself a lot and that's something I rarely say about films in this genre. (Perhaps its closest companion in overall scope and success is Sam Raimi's first Spider-Man, which I similarly enjoyed.) Though not without a few speed bumps, Shazam! is clearly a best-case scenario for any modern-day adaptation of a superhero who debuted before the world's first color TV was built. Warner Bros.' excellent 4K edition easily beats the standard Blu-ray/DVD combo pack with the help of a rock-solid 2160p transfer and effective HDR color grading, although its default Dolby Atmos audio mix and bonus features remain exactly the same. If you're already set up for 4K or plan to be in the near future, Shazam! is a highly recommended purchase.
2019
2019
2019
2019
Limited Edition Foil Artwork
2019
2019
2019
2019
2018
Cinematic Universe Edition
2019
2017
2019
Cinematic Universe Edition
2012
2013
2015
Cinematic Universe Edition
2018
2016
2021
2011
Cinematic Universe Edition
2017
2023
Extended and Theatrical versions
2011
2013
Extended TV Cut & Special Edition
1978
Theatrical & Extended Cut
2016
The Richard Donner Cut 4K
1980
Cinematic Universe Edition
2016
2020