Review: 'Superman/Shazam! The Return of Black Adam'

Why do people like superheroes? Today this question could inspire hours of conversation among a comic shop full of readers who all have their own personal reasons.

On a more optimistic day, I might keep my answer short. Because they do good. DC Universe has given us the teaming of two characters who have defined do-gooding for decades.

Superman/Shazam! The Return of Black Adam brings the two-fisted titans against one of the crueler creations in comics, Black Adam.

The story is fairly simple. Billy Batson is a wide-eyed kid trying to do the right thing in a world that has brought him a whole lot of wrong; his parents are dead and he can’t find a proper foster family. An intrepid reporter from the Daily Planet is writing a feature on Billy; the boy muses whether being good is all it’s cracked up to be after some bullies knock him around for coming to the aid of a homeless man. Black Adam crashes the interview, knowing Billy is in line to be granted the powers of Shazam. Before you know it Billy learns too.

That’s the general story. Then the fighting begins as Superman (oh, Clark Kent was the reporter if you weren’t following) protects Billy from the murderous Black Adam. And we get some good fighting. I have to give it to the makers of these films, they really know how to choreograph a fight scene. Come on, Black Adam tosses a dozen cars simultaneously at Captain Marvel from off screen.

The film slows briefly as Billy meets up with the wizard Shazam who informs the boy that he sees great good in the young man. For this reason Shazam is going to grant the powers of six of the most powerful greek gods to the boy so that he may become one of earth’s greatest protectors. While the story of Captain Marvel has never been one that has captured my interest for great lengths of time, as fan of comic books I was swept away by the nostalgia of this piece. I loved that the theme of the story was a simple one: being good.

I have found the animation of the DC Universe shorts to be somewhat sleeker than that of the main features and it feels the same with Superman/Shazam as well. When cars and statues are being tossed around, it better look good. I liked the character designs, especially Superman’s; he looks a bit younger in this movie and I thought having the “S” not outlined was a nice touch.

The voice acting is strong as usual. George Newbern returns as Superman (he played him in Justice League series) and Jerry O’Connell brings a pitch perfect “gee-whiz” factor to Captain Marvel as he is awestruck by his newfound powers. Arnold Vosloo is perhaps a tad too snarly at times as Black Adam, but that is only a minor gripe.

Of all the actors though, it was great to have James Garner in the role of Shazam. When Billy Batson claims he’s not fit to be Earth’s protector, Shazam replies in a surprisingly touching scene “No protector you say… and yet despite enduring countless tragedies and hardships you’ve somehow seemed to protect your perfect heart.” There go those nostalgic chills.

Director Joaquim Dos Santos has created a fast paced story that at no point feels rushed. The villain appears, a hero follows, another is born, and then a lot of good is done.