CBR

You expect Shazam! to be the funniest film so far in the DCEU, and it is... 1 / 8

...but it's surprisingly also the best at handling dark, serious subject matter. 2 / 8

However, we fully expect Joker to surpass it in darkness. 3 / 8

The Zack Snyder DC films' idea of 'darkness' was joylessness and violence. 4 / 8

Shazam! is funny, but deals in serious themes like bullying, foster care and disability. 5 / 8

The opening scene shows how abuse and injustice break Sivana. 6 / 8

Billy Batson, however, perseveres despite heavy injustice... including his mom abandoning him! 7 / 8

The mostly realistic style makes it more emotional than stylized films like Wonder Woman. 8 / 8