The La Mirada Library would like to invite teens from the community ages 13 and older to a special screening of the superhero film Shazam! (PG-13) on Saturday, August 31 from 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm. This film is generously sponsored by the Friends of the La Mirada Library.
We all have a superhero inside of us — it just takes a bit of magic to bring it out. In 14-year-old Billy Batson’s case, all he needs to do is shout out one word to transform into the adult superhero Shazam. Still a kid at heart, Shazam revels in the new version of himself by doing what any other teen would do — have fun while testing out his newfound powers. But he’ll need to master them quickly before the evil Dr. Thaddeus Sivana can get his hands on Shazam’s magical abilities.
SHAZAM is an acronym formed from the names of the gods that grant powers: the wisdom of Solomon, the strength of Hercules, the stamina of Atlas, the power of Zeus, the courage of Achilles, and the speed of Mercury. Of these six gods forming Shazam’s name, only two are actually Gods – Zeus (Greek) and Mercury (Roman). Solomon is a mortal King from the Bible (who was also known in legend as a king of magic and knowledge), Hercules and Achilles were demigods (half-human half-god), and Atlas was a Titan.
Sandie Angulo Chen of Common Sense Media says “This refreshingly delightful, lighthearted entry in the DC Extended Universe has enough charm for the whole family thanks to standout performances, broad humor, and positive messages. Considering the angst of most previous DC-based thrillers, this one is downright adorable, despite occasional moments of darkness. Angel and Grazer have brotherly chemistry that Levi replicates with Grazer when he’s Shazam. The storyline offers a rare look at a loving, stable foster family that consists of encouraging parents Rosa (Marta Milans) and Victor Vasquez (Cooper Andrews) and a diverse house full of kids, from college-bound senior Mary (Grace Fulton) and gaming enthusiast Eugene (Ian Chen) to quiet Pedro (Jovan Armand) and adoring/adorable young Darla (Faithe Herman). Billy, who resents being a foster kid, may not see how amazing this family is, but audiences will.”
“Strong makes Sivana a formidable antagonist who has family issues of his own. His backstory somewhat humanizes him, even as his present-day actions show off his ruthless, power-hungry nature. With the exception of Envy, the Seven Deadly Sins aren’t dwelled upon for their characteristics and are just grotesque monsters unleashed by Sivana. There’s a climactic battle, of course, but this is no tear-jerking story; it’s an uplifting one. Billy and Freddy learn what Shazam is capable of and why a supportive family is the most valuable superpower of all. When the foster siblings unite to take on bullies, they can’t be defeated, and that’s a happy message indeed.”
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of action, language, and suggestive material. Parents must accompany anyone under 13 for the entire screening.
The film, released April 2019, grossed $364.5 million at the box office. Click here to read more about the movie from Common Sense Media.
Source: Common Sense Media | IMDB