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Shazam!

“Big” meets Superman

Well, knock me down and step on my face! The DC Universe has finally lightened things up from all that deep, Batman v Superman dourness. In this entertaining romp, a streetwise 14-year-old orphan (Asher Angel) is given the power to transform, by uttering one magic word, into a grown-up superhero (Zachary Levi) with all kinds of fun powers. If this sounds to you like a riff on Tom Hanks’ 1988 Big, you’re not alone. Look for a nod to that movie in a toy store scene. Unpretentious, grounded, nicely cast and a good message about family. It also doesn’t hurt to have Mark Strong play the supervillain. (132 min)

Don Morton Avatar

Don Morton

Don Morton has viewed some 6,000 movies, frequently awake. A bachelor and avid cyclist, he currently divides his time between Tokyo and a high-tech 4WD super-camper somewhere in North America.