Shazam! hit theaters in 2019 and received mostly positive reviews from both critics and audiences. It’s a fairly well-liked movie and even received a sequel in 2023. However, there is one complaint that seems to be somewhat common when discussing both movies. Many people claim that Billy Batson and Shazam don’t feel or act like they’re the same person even though they are.
While this is technically true, it’s not really as much of a problem as they make it out to be. There’s an actual reason for this, and it’s stated in the first film. When Billy (or anyone who wields this power) transforms, they become the version of themselves with the most potential. They become the best versions of themselves.
Because of this, when Billy becomes the superhero known as Shazam, he loses all the insecurities that a fourteen year-old would usually have. He’s not being held back by being self-conscious, the constant wanting of being grown up, or the trauma he obtained from being abandoned by his mother and put through the foster care system. He can be everything he ever wants to be and everything he’s meant to be.
Of course, he is still a kid. Shazam may be the version of himself with the most potential, but it’s the most potential of a fourteen year-old. He’s still going to act like a kid because he is one. There’s nothing holding him back so he’s going to gorge on sugary snacks and recreate Fortnite dances.
For the people who are okay with Shazam acting childish while Billy acts more adult, that, again, is because he’s been forced to grow up. He hasn’t been able to truly be a fourteen year-old because of his situation. He’s forced to act more grown up than he really is. He feels that he has to close himself off from those around him because the person who was originally closest to him abandoned him. Becoming Shazam is what allows him to not be restrained by that.
It may be a superhero movie series, but media literacy and critical thinking are still helpful tools when watching any film or experiencing any form of storytelling. Also, it’s okay to just have fun with a story about a kid who turns into a fully grown superhero.
Nonstop Nerd 