MOVIE REVIEW: “SHAZAM!” and its Biblical Messages?

Hollywood seems to turning out more Bible based films from “Run The Race” to “Unplanned.” Is Warner Bros. Pictures and DC Comics SHAZAM! a Bible based film or just another superhero movie?

It’s a bit of both. But first watch the official trailer:

The theme of the movie is all about seeking someone with a pure heart to fight against the seven deadly sins. Kind of sounds like what is happening in our world today, doesn’t it?

AllAboutGod.com lists the seven deadly sins with their Bible references:

QUESTION: What are the seven deadly sins?

ANSWER:

Many people are asking, “What are the seven deadly sins?” The seven deadly sins viewed by society and literature are:

• Lust – to have an intense desire or need: “But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:28).
• Gluttony – excess in eating and drinking: “for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags” (Proverbs 23:21).
• Greed – excessive or reprehensible acquisitiveness: “Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more” (Ephesians 4:19).
• Laziness – disinclined to activity or exertion: not energetic or vigorous: “The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway” (Proverbs 15:19).
• Wrath – strong vengeful anger or indignation: “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” (Proverbs 15:1)
• Envy – painful or resentful awareness of an advantage enjoyed by another joined with a desire to possess the same advantage: “Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation” (1 Peter 2:1-2).
• Pride – quality or state of being proud – inordinate self esteem: “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18).

Know anyone in your family, community, at work or in elective office who symbolizes one or more of the seven deadly sins? Maybe someone who embodies all of them like the villain in SHAZAM!

SHAZAM! is also about broken families and dedicated foster parents. The foster parents were abandoned children who were raised by foster parents. The foster children turn out to be pure of heart and they become super heroes.

The story line would have been better if there was truly a hero who has gone through great loss and yet won against all odds like in the film Run The Race. But at least at the end you leave feeling that good can defeat evil, on a personal and global level.

I recommend this film for its theme of good prevails in the end.

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