I really, really want to like this; but, I keep getting flickers from warning lights, the more I read about this take on the character and the average reaction I have had to a lot of these things, in recent years. I am just going to have to train my mind to see this as the Earth-Hollywood Captain Marvel and leave it at that. I suspect Shazam cartoon and the Republic Adv. of Captain Marvel aren't in any danger of being usurped of their position in my esteem; but, if they can make it fun and entertaining, I'll be okay with it. They keep referencing Big; so, I have some hope.

I still say you could have tremendous all-ages fun with the original, as long as you kept a certain logic to things, as the Fawcett stories did.


Given all the revisions to the character in the comics, I'd almost rather see a Monty Python version, where they try to insert the revisions into the classic story.....

Billy Batson (Michael Palin): Who are you?

"The Wizard" (John Cleese): I am..........the Wizard!

Booms of thunder. Billy looks around, holds out the palm of his hand, searching for rain, then shakes his head.

Billy Batson: Oh, well; that's nice. How'd you get to become that? Is it like a civil service test or something?

The Wizard: Of course you don't take a civil service test. You don't get a degree in Wizardry from your local poly-tech. You just study the ancient arts and become The Wizard! Now stop asking stupid questions!

Billy Batson: Yeah; but, how do you know if you have learned the stuff? I mean, you have to study with someone; so, who says you are now a wizard?

The Wizard: All right, all right; it was a correspondence school.

Billy: A correspondence school?

Wizard: It's very prestigious: the Famous Wizard's Home Instruction School.

Billy: I've never heard of it.....

Wizard: Shut up! Look, do you want to be a hero or not?

Billy: Oh, yes please!

Wizard: Right, well say my name and you will be transformed.

Billy: The Wizard!!!

Billy stands there, waiting for something to happen.

Wizard: No, you stupid boy, you say "Shazam!"

Thunder claps, Billy looks around and holds up his hand again.

Billy: But you said your name is the Wizard, right? So I said "the Wizard?" How am I supposed to know to say that other word, if you tell me your name is the Wizard. Are you sure you're a certified Wizard?

Wizard: Shut up! Just say "Shazam!" (thunderclaps are heard) so we can get on with this. It's a comic book movie not a thesis on logic. Now, say my name...

Billy: What, the Wizard?

The Wizard clips him around the ear.

Billy: Shazam!

Billy is transformed into an adult (Graham Chapman)

Captain Marvel: No, no; I'm stopping this movie. It's gotten a bit too silly!