What's in a Name?

So, this past couple of month has (for us at least), been all about the Captain Marvels (yes, kids, there are more than well, three (Fawcett/DC, M. F. Enterprises, Marvel). Confused? Well there have been at least five people over at Marvel who have held the title (not including alternate universe versions) including Carol Danvers who current holds the title (and stared in her own film). M. F. Enterprise had one Captain Marvel (who starred in his own short-lived comic, but never got a movie), and of course Fawcett/DC’s Billy Batson/Shazam! (currently appearing in his own film) where there is just one “Captain” but three Lieutenants, a sister, a“Junior” as well as an anthropomorphic tiger (technically making seven).

But all of that is besides the point. What we are here to do today is to talk about the Fawcett/DC’s current, updated DCEU version of Capt...ah...er...Shazam! As noted above, we’ve seen the film and thoroughly enjoyed it (There are two (2) post-credit trailers — one after the main trailers, and a second all the way at the end of the credits — stick around for both). The film itself is clearly targeted for not only a younger audience, but is far more light and uplifting than most of the DCEU previous films.

Still, we did feel that there were some dark overtones throughout (language as well as an unexpectedly brutal murder or two). Having said that, we will continue to stress the overall lighter tone to the film, especially with the constant winking to Shazam himself, as he never quite fully buys into an official name for himself. While Dr. Sivana ( Mark Strong) refers to him as the “Champion” both Shazam (Zachary Levi) and Freddy Freeman (Jack Dylan Grazer) — mostly Freddy — rattle off a slew of names as they splatter social media with vids of Shazam as the boys put him through his paces while testing out his powers and abilities. a short list of those names includes the following:

• Captain Sparklefingers
• Thundercrack
• Mr. Philadelphia
• Power Boy
• ZAP-tain America
• Red Cyclone
• Maximum Voltage
• Sir Zaps-A-Lot
• Human Powerstorm

Part of the reason that this naming sequence is so entertaining is due in part to the long and convoluted history of “The Bit Red Cheese” himself (even though no one ever refers to him in that way. As chronicled here there is a rather straightforward (if slightly convoluted) reason for his name change. But forget all that. go and see what may be the most entertainingly cute superhero film you are likely to see this year.