Lightning strikes again for the LEGO DC Comics franchise!

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In the last LEGO DC film, DC Batman: Family Matters, we were introduced to Billy Batson and he played a small part in that film. With Billy in the film, many people were wondering if we would see the World’s Mightest Mortal make an appearance. Unfornatually we didn’t, but in the mid-credits scene, we saw Billy boarding a strange looking train. To the fans, we knew what this meant. Shazam would be in the next film. And we were not disappointed!

The film opens with Shazam as the newest hero and making all kinds of headlines. When the Monster Society of Evil, attacks Metropolis, the Justice League (consisting of Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, the Flash, and Green Lantern Jessica Cruz). Shazam helps out the League, and in turn, the League invites him to join. But due to his real age, Shazam declines the invitation and causing some suspicion of him. When Shazam leaves, the League hunts down the Monster Society to the lair. They run into the Monster Society’s leader Mister Mind, who turns the League into children. This makes it easier for Mister Mind to take them over, with an exception of Batman who escapes. Batman runs into Shazam and must decide if he can trust Shazam enough to save the League from Mister Mind, and something much more sinister.

I totally love this series! It puts so much fun into these characters and makes them really extreme. Batman comes across as ultra-paranoid while Superman comes across like a “country bumpkin.” It’s really very entertaining to see these serious heroes in such a humorous light. The best part in this particular film had to be hearing voice actors like Troy Baker, Nolan North, Grey Griffin, and James Arnold Taylor playing younger versions of the characters they been voicing for at least 7 years.

Of course, in terms of voice casting has to be Sean Astin as Shazam had to be the best choice. Astin played a more serious and darker version of Shazam in the Tuckerverse movies. So really great to hear him playing a more carefree version of the same character. 

Writer Jeremy Adams just once again hits it out of the park. The pacing is great with the right blend of humor. There are jokes that kids will miss, and as a parent, I like that in my kid’s shows.  Not to mention how many DC Comics Easter Eggs there are in the film.

Director Matt Peter does an incredible job working this entire film around the world of LEGO. Seriously, that has to be hard. There are building sets in the film that are actual toys, and even more so, some that I hope become toys.

The Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD came with a poly-bag minifigure of Shazam. Before this, there were only 2 ways to get him: You were either lucky to get him at the 2012 San Diego Comic-Con or you bought the LEGO Batman Batwing and The Riddler Heist set. So trust me, this was a nice bonus. I took some pictures of it:

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There are also 3 shorts that are on this combo pack: 2 episodes of Unikitty and 1 episode of Teen Titans Go!.

The only thing that bummed me out about this film was there was no Cyborg in this film. To me, he’s become such a mainstay in these films,  not having him make me really miss him.

Bottom line, like the previous LEGO DC Comics films, this one hits the mark. Seriously great for all ages and something you can watch again and again.

Many thanks to Warner Brothers Home Entertainment for allowing us to check this out!

By Brian Isaacs - Executive Editor / Publisher

An avid comic collector/reader for over 50 years and self-proclaimed professor of comicology, Brian originally started up the site Pendragon's Post to share his voice. Well, that voice has been shared and evolved into The Fanboy Factor. Brian is an advocate for remembering comic roots, and that we don't forget what was created in the past, and encourage everyone to read it as well. When not swimming in geek culture, he can be seen corrupting..introducing his young son to comics, much to his wife's chagrin.