Lego DC: Shazam!: Magic and Monsters
Lego DC Shazam!: Magic and Monsters is a 2020 American animated superhero comedy film based on the DC Comics and Lego brands. The film is produced by DC Entertainment, The Lego Group and Warner Bros. Animation and distributed by Warner Bros. Home Entertainment.[2] It is the tenth and final Lego DC Comics film and was released on digital on April 28, and on Blu-ray and DVD on June 16, 2020.[3] The film received positive reviews from critics, with praise for the humor and action.[4]
| Lego DC Shazam!: Magic and Monsters | |
|---|---|
 Blu-ray cover | |
| Directed by | Matt Peters |
| Written by | Jeremy Adams |
| Based on | Shazam by Bill Parker and C. C. Beck |
| Starring | |
| Music by | Tim Kelly |
Production companies | |
| Distributed by | Warner Bros. Home Entertainment |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 81 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Plot
editThis section's plot summary may be too long or excessively detailed. (October 2020) |
A new hero known as Shazam has made his debut and is attracting media attention for his sudden arrival and polite mannerisms. Unbeknownst to the public, he is a young orphan boy named Billy Batson. Superman encounters the Monster Society of Evil, who are trying to steal food for their master, Mister Mind, and calls Justice League members Batman, Wonder Woman, The Flash, and Green Lantern for help. Witnessing this, Shazam decides to aid them, forcing the Society to retreat. Impressed by Shazam's capabilities, the League invites him to the Hall of Justice and offers him membership. But Shazam rejects their offer, believing they will reject him if they discover his actual age. Traveling to the Rock of Eternity, Shazam goes to consult The Wizard for advice. The Wizard advices Shazam to be more open to the League. Sensing a disturbance, the Wizard then sends Shazam to investigate.
At the Monster Society's hideout, Mister Mind captures the League and, using a serum concocted by Doctor Sivana, transforms them into children, making them more susceptible to his mind-control powers. Although de-aged, Batman avoids being mind-controlled and escapes to the Batcave with Shazam's help. Batman is reluctant to trust him, so Shazam reveals his secret identity while also recounting his origin: After aiding Batman in a duel with Two-Face, Billy continued to go about his daily routine while also generously helping others in need, eventually being led into a subway station, and boarding a magic train that takes him to the Rock, where he meets the Wizard in person. The Wizard explains that he disguised himself as ordinary citizens to test Billy's purity of heart and see if he was worthy of becoming his new champion after the previous champion, Black Adam, became corrupted by his power and was sealed away in the Rock. Accepting the Wizard's offer, Billy is gifted his new powers and proceeds to make the most of his alter-ego's powers and age, but he still longs for a family of his own. Empathizing with Billy, Batman reveals his secret identity to Billy and offers him his trust, which Billy gladly accepts.
Across the world, the mind-controlled Leaguers steal food for Mister Mind, but Batman and Shazam locate and free them from Mister Mind's control. Reunited, the League infiltrates the Society's lair and fights their way to Mister Mind, defeating the Society in the process. When Shazam and the League encounter Mister Mind, they discover that he has undergone metamorphosis and grown into a giant moth monster. The group attempts to escape to the Rock of Eternity to seek help from the Wizard, but Mister Mind follows them and begins devouring the Rock, causing him to increase in size and free Black Adam.
Adam then betrays Mister Mind by using his magic lightning to reduce him to his caterpillar form and send him into space. Seeking vengeance against the Wizard, Adam attacks the Rock and overwhelms the League. While the Wizard clashes with Adam, the League escapes to Earth. Knowing Adam will be coming for them, they make preparations and rebuild their vehicles to account for their reduced age.
Arriving on Earth, Adam fights and overpowers the League. Remembering the Wizard's advice and how Adam was able to depower Mister Mind, Shazam uses his lightning to share his powers with the League, enhancing their abilities and returning them to their normal age. This also reveals his secret identity to them, but they are not upset and tell him that his age doesn't matter as long as they do the right thing. The League uses their new powers to defeat Adam, and Billy uses the magic lightning to regain his powers from the other Leaguers, while Adam is depowered and reduced to a mortal man. With Adam arrested and their adulthood restored, the League shows their gratitude by reuniting Billy with his sister Mary and Uncle Dudley.
In a mid-credit scene, Lobo apprehends Mister Mind for his $1,000,000,000,000 bounty, much to his dismay.
Cast
edit- Sean Astin as Shazam
- Zach Callison as Billy Batson, Jimmy Olsen
- Troy Baker as Batman / Bruce Wayne, Carmine Falcone
- Nolan North as Superman / Clark Kent, Alfred Pennyworth
- Grey Griffin as Wonder Woman, Lois Lane
- Cristina Milizia as Green Lantern / Jessica Cruz
- James Arnold Taylor as The Flash, Dummy
- Imari Williams as Black Adam / Teth-Adam
- Fred Tatasciore as Lobo, Oom
- Ralph Garman as Wizard
- Dee Bradley Baker as Jeepers, Dr. Sivana, Crocodile-Man
- Jennifer Hale as Mary Batson, L.N. Ambassador
- Tom Kenny as Penguin, Perry White
- Greg Ellis as Mr. Mind
- Erica Lindbeck as Greeter, Farmer
- Josh Keaton as Executive, Terrance
Reception
editTom Cassidy for Common Sense Media gave the film a three out of five star rating and commented, "The movie is bright, colorful, and lighthearted. It's rendered in the very familiar Lego style that is across toys, video games, TV series, and movies. This nudges it toward brand saturation. But it's delivered with enough wit and fun to make it not feel cynical. The superhero action and storyline runs out of steam a little early. But with its strong themes of trust and teamwork, along with Shazam's unending enthusiasm, it's a cheery time suitable for a range of ages."[5]
References
edit- ^ "SHAZAM! Gets the LEGO Treatment for DC's Animated MAGIC & MONSTERS". Newsarama. Archived from the original on April 7, 2020. Retrieved Apr 10, 2020.
- ^ Oller, Jacob (Apr 3, 2020). "Embrace your inner child with this first look at LEGO DC: Shazam-Magic & Monsters". SYFY WIRE. Archived from the original on April 8, 2020. Retrieved Apr 10, 2020.
- ^ "LEGO DC: Shazam! Magic and Monsters Trailer & Release Date". ComingSoon.net. 2020-04-06. Retrieved 2021-06-03.
- ^ "LEGO DC Shazam: Magic and Monsters review". Lyles Movie Files. 29 June 2020. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
- ^ "Lego DC: Shazam!: Magic and Monsters - Review". www.commonsensemedia.org. 2022-10-13. Retrieved 2022-10-15.