Can SHAZAM save superhero movies?

DC universe films have certainly been struggling lately, and it even seems that when they stumble across success it feels tainted with problems that prevent a DC film universe from gaining traction.

So far, the plans for making DC into a shared multiverse have been plagued with tonal issues. Man of Steel divided the fanbase, and the follow up films have continued to struggle when it comes to finding a rhythm that fits both the source material and the medium of film. Such a task isn't always easy. DC has many Golden Age properties that struggle at times when it comes to adapting them in a way that rings true for live action realism. I think that the colorful world of DC works far better in animation, which is why there are so many beloved cartoons of DC characters.

That being said, there may be hope for DC film adherents at last. Shazam is here to save the day, and I must say that this film looks quite good. I certainly do not wish to get my expectations too high, but this film seems to have everything that other DC films have lacked. It has style, panache, and a tone that truly celebrates the superhero. This film could be DC's answer to Marvel's ubiquitous Spider-Man: a young man, wide-eyed with wonder, who gains superpowers and grows into a true hero. How exciting!

My main concern from watching trailers is with the attempts at kid-speak. Portraying youth in a manner that is consistent with verisimilitude and yet does not cause you to inwardly cringe every time someone says "awwwwwwesome" or "epic" is like walking a tightrope.