Rent Lego DC Shazam: Magic and Monsters (2020)

Lego DC Shazam: Magic and Monsters (aka LEGO DC: Shazam - Magic & Monsters) review by Mark McPherson - Cinema Paradiso

Of all the DC Comics characters to be pitched in children’s media, especially the toy tie-in of LEGO, Shazam is best built for the younger crowd. He’s perhaps the most relatable of heroes, being that the hero is secretly the boy of Billy Baxton who can call upon his superpowers by shouting Shazam, transforming into the titular hero. It’s a far easier character to write for something such as LEGO, aimed at the crowd not yet old enough to embrace the more action-heavy cartoon adaptations. As a result, this is one of the more pleasing if not decent entries in the LEGO DC line of animated films.

The story is short and sweet for being suited for Shazam. The Justice League is hoping to add Shazam to their ranks but Billy is reluctant to accept because he fears they would look down on him for being a kid. But he may be just what the Justice League needs when they’re captured by the evil Mister Mind and transformed into children thanks to Doctor Sivana. Shazam is going to have to put his fears aside, to be honest with the League. He does so off the wise words of the Wizard who bestowed him his powers, learning that trust makes a friendship grow stronger. He also learns about sharing with his powers as well.

Hokey? Sure but this is LEGO we’re talking about and it bodes well to inject a bit of moral fiber into an otherwise lukewarm retread of DC Comics heroics. This is usually my beef with a lot of DC LEGO movies, presenting simplistic scenarios for heroes and villains to crack some lackluster jokes between softened sci-fi violence. If there is a message within the story, it’s usually pretty bland or more aloof than it should be. This is why Magic and Monsters is thankfully more than just the LEGO battle of Shazam versus Black Adam. I’ve already seen that film with DC’s previous animated DTV ventures and will no doubt see it again in the inevitable live-action Shazam 2.

There is perhaps a deeper questioning of distribution of power considering by the end of the film Billy once more absorbs all his powers and the powers of Black Adam, reducing the villain to a mortal once more. But the questioning of vigilantism and distribution of power has always been a more ambiguous topic for superhero movies in general and it’s beyond absurd to seek any of that here. It’s just a simple story that wraps things up neatly with Black Adam being arrested and Mister Mind becoming the target of another villain. Even on the level of teaching about the importance of trust in friends, my expectations are still low. For being more blatant, however, thus ensuring the message won’t get lost among the kids most focused on recognizing their favorite characters, there’s a hint of refreshment within such a film that it feels like watching something a little more than just a commercial for toys. It still is just that but with a dose of positive morality to even out the commercialism.