In late February, Zachary Levi took part in a writer’s retreat with Austin Film Festival out at New Republic Studios in Elgin / Bastrop. At the end of the intro session, the moderator asked Levi and the rest of the panel about upcoming projects. “I did a movie called Shazam!,” he said. “I think it’ll be something that, like, your whole family can go and watch together. Unless your kids are super super young and don’t like really cool stuff.”

Well, earlier this week I saw the flick and I must say, it’s really cool stuff. Kids will love it and so will adults. This adult definitely did.

It’s super cute, super fun, and super dope, as the teen version of Levi’s character Billy Batson would say.

Speaking of the teen version of Levi, that kid is great. In fact, all the kids in the cast are great. But it’s Levi who does the heavy lifting in the film (pun intended) and let me just say, he’s my new favorite hero (though you may want to ask me if that sentiment holds true after Avengers: Endgame comes out).

He’s just so darn likeable. And likability matters, as illustrated by Captain Marvel, but let’s not go there.

The script is solid, filled with lots of laugh out loud moments, quick witted zingers and a few fun surprises. It’s definitely worth the price of admission. In fact, I may even pay to go see it again.

Were y’all aware that Zachary Levi lives right here in Central Texas? Here he is talking about Austin at the aforementioned event at New Republic Studios.

Shazam! is in theaters now.

Featured photo courtesy of Warner Brothers Pictures.