SHAZAM! (2019)

No, this is not the same as the music finding app of the same name. Let me just take a moment to applaud the folks at "DC Films", because this film is straight up their most entertaining film yet. It's unexpected, the humor is outstanding and the action sequences are awesome. This film is one of the studios best in recent years and one of the best origin films. The films dynamic of enjoyment and fun is palpable. It's fresh and new, something that I think "DC Films" so desperately needs.

"DC Films" can be a hit or miss, but this is definitely a massive hit. This film doesn't even have to try to entertain and excite audiences, because it's so natural. Its eloquent embrace of fun and excitement deem this film worthy of multiple viewings. You can't get enough, you will be wanting more even after the credits start rolling. 

Director David Sandberg is a comic genius. The film is practically a comedy. "DC Films" don't usually have the signature style of comedy that "Marvel" has. If the studio had this kind of approach at trying to establish their own brand of comedy with films prior to this, their films wouldn't have been both a box office flop or another dull entry for DC.  

With solo superhero films on the rise, the lead actors cast as the hero are filling big shoes of iconic characters. This film is no different. Lead Zachary Levi lives up to the name of this iconic character in one of his best performances and not only that, but one of the most enjoyable in that of a DC film. 

Alongside Levi, are "IT" star Jack Dylan-Grazer, Mark Strong "Kingsman" and Disney Channel's  Asher Angel. The two teen actors blend right into this film with heart and comedy. Mark Strong is menacing in this film as the villain. He adds a more dark tone to the film. 

Scoring the film, is Benjamin Wallfisch. Wallfisch makes the film just as enjoyable as the film itself. With it being an action film, this score blends right into it, while being a fast paced and lively compilation of a score. 

The film not only has genuine hilarity, but it also has killer action sequences, which mainly involves the title character. The action in the film also blends right into the comedic aspects of this film. This film is also got a sense of heart at the helm. The heart of the film is the actors and the chemistry they have while on-screen. Grazer and Levi have an impeccable sense of it. 

Solo superhero films have recently become all the rave. With this film adding to the mix, there's no telling what can and cannot be classified as a solo superhero film. There's no end insight to the solo superhero film craze and it won't die down anytime soon, because this buddy-buddy action film is one to see. 

Photo Courtesy of DC Films

Rate: A 

Director: David F. Sandberg 

Starring: Zachary Levi, Jack Dylan-Grazer, Asher Angel and Mark Strong

MPAA Rating: PG-13 (for intense sequences of action, language, and suggestive material)

Runtime; 2 Hours & 12 Minutes 

Synopsis: We all have a superhero inside us, it just takes a bit of magic to bring it out. In Billy Batson's (Asher Angel) case, by shouting out one word--SHAZAM!--this streetwise 14-year-old foster kid can turn into the adult Super Hero Shazam (Zachary Levi), courtesy of an ancient wizard. Still a kid at heart--inside a ripped, godlike body--Shazam revels in this adult version of himself by doing what any teen would do with superpowers: have fun with them! Can he fly? Does he have X-ray vision? Can he shoot lightning out of his hands? Can he skip his social studies test? Shazam sets out to test the limits of his abilities with the joyful recklessness of a child. But he'll need to master these powers quickly in order to fight the deadly forces of evil controlled by Dr. Thaddeus Sivana (Strong).

Captain Marvel (2019)

Superhero origin films just keep on coming. With recent hits like Wonder Woman" being the first female superhero film, Marvel finally gets a female superhero film of its very own. This film is an absolute triumph in its own right. Playing the titular character and newcomer to the MCU, is Brie Larson (21 Jump Street and Room)  who plays the heroine in exciting fashion. Larson is exquisite in the role as the alien/Air Force pilot that kicks major ass. This film is exciting and with Marvel's signature fashion of dazzling special effects and action sequences, this makes out as one of the best films from "Marvel" as far as origin films goes.

As I previously mentioned, Brie Larson does an outstanding job as the heroine, but not only that, her costars: Samuel L. Jackson (playing a younger Nick Fury) Clark Gregg (playing a younger Phil Coulson), Ben Mendelsohn, Jude Law and a scene-stealing feline are all just as a great part of this film as the main character is.

This film offers stunning action sequences to which its stars carry out in a fun and exciting way. Not only that but the visuals are also quite impressive. Meanwhile, you have some killer de-aging going on with Fury and Coulson, respectively. Then audiences can finally see how the iconic soon-to-be S.H.I.E.L.D director got that killer eye patch.

Thanos ain't going to know what hit him, come next months Endgame, when we see the powers of Captain Marvel side-by-side with the non-dust avengers.

Directing duo Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck make this film as enjoyable as can be. They burst into the superhero scene and craft an entertaining film that is as nostalgic as its 1990's backdrop. Not only is this film entertaining and visually appealing, its got its fair share of comedy to it. This is mostly in part because of the scene stealing cat, whose name pays homage to Tom Cruise's film "Top Gun".

This film does have a few bumps though. The film starts off quite slow but gets better as the film goes on. This later on makes the film bounce back into a more positive direction.

Since the passing of comicbook creator icon Stan Lee, audiences yearn for the remaining cameos of the late legend. This film and the opening Marvel Studios logo pay homage to Lee in an emotional send off.

This is one of the first films to have girl power not just on screen and in the directors chair, but also crafting the films score. In fact, this film marks as the first Marvel film to be directed and scored by two women. That in itself is an accomplishment. Turkish composer Pinar Toprak bursts her score on the screen. She crafts a score that's electric, vibrant and peaceful.

This film marks one of the best that Marvel has to offer. With superhero origin films on the rise, this film takes the cake. Yeah, granted that we have already seen the origins of our favorite superheroes already but that doesn't stop us from wanting more films like these. Despite a slow beginning, this film introduces the title character and Brie Larson to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, (MCU) in an exciting fashion that is a sight to see. And as the first film I've seen released this year, so far, some films are going to have a tough act to follow.

Rate: B+

Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios

Directors: Ryan Fleck & Anna Boden

Starring: Brie Larson, Samuel L. Jackson, Clark Gregg, Ben Mendelsohn, Jude Law and Lee Pace

MPAA Rating: PG-13 (for sequences of sci-fi violence and action, and brief suggestive language)

Runtime: 2 Hours & 5 Minutes 

Synopsis: The story follows Carol Danvers as she becomes one of the universe's most powerful heroes when Earth is caught in the middle of a galactic war between two alien races. Set in the 1990s, Captain Marvel is an all-new adventure from a previously unseen period in the history of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.