Shazam!
DC’sShazam!has wow audiences everywhere . Zachary Levi ’s instantly iconic performance has cemented a new age for DC ’s extended universe , make a impertinent route forward for a tripping and more character - base storytelling . Much of this newly inculcate push is thanks in part toShazam!‘sdirector David Sandberg . Originally , Sandberg ’s has alone directed revulsion film . Shazam!obviously breaks this mould , but Sandberg ’s horror sensibilities and film fandom are still present through optic cue and outside intake .
Shazam!is full of references and homage to shoot story and soda culture tracing back decades . Whether through easter eggs or thematic notes , Shazam!is replete with cinematic history . Here are the top 10 movie references and aspiration tied toShazam ! . Be aware , this is not a freebooter - free nose dive into Shazam ! , so if you have n’t get word the movie be warn !
Gremlins(1984)
Who does n’t loveGremlins ? This 1984 cult classic follow a teen who discovers his mystical pet Mogwai can multiply . These clones tend to go nuts if you prey them after midnight though , turning the cunning small Mogwai into insatiate demons . What accompany is a Christmas clip horror trick filled with mischievous petty pranksters turning the little town of Kingston Falls .
This flick ’s creature feature tendencies and horror sensibility are all overShazam ! . The choice to set all the mayhem of the movie at Christmas time and many of the natural action sequences , both at the mall and Christmas fair , harken back toGremlins . Also , the depiction of Envy , one of the demonic seven virulent sins , certainly echoes the design of the gremlins themselves . Both of these little guy rope have serious anger issue .
Ghostbusters(1984)
Speaking of infernal region - spawns that terrify tiddler , Ghostbustersis full of them ! The comedy classic blends humour with horror in a standardized room asGremlins(and occasionallyShazam!as well ) . One of the most iconic visual aspects ofGhostbustersare the Terror Dogs who annoy the flat tenant of 55 Central Park West . The creatures explode from their gargoyle form , work mayhem through New York .
Though Envy looked a turn more like a gremlin , the rest of the seven sin were massive beastlike animal , who nearly resembled these hellhounds fromGhostbusters . Like the Terror Dogs , the Seven Deadly Sins were case in stone , exploding to life history when summon . Each also had flaming red optic , leathery grayish skin , and a leaning to eat multitude . There is no refuse the homage to the originalGhostbustersthrough the design and execution of the Seven Deadly Sins .
Big(1988)
There is no denying that perhapsShazam ! ’s most pregnant cinematic influence is 1988’sBig . This authoritative comedy focuses on 12 - year - sometime Josh Baskin who wishes to become a full grown man come genuine . Played by Tom Hanks , the film follows a young boy in a grown man ’s consistency having the sentence of his lifetime .
Shazam!takes this construct and overhaul it through more up to date laughs and a superhero lens . Shazam!subverts some of the awkward logic fromBigthrough humor but still , honor ’s it through references . The iconic piano dance from the first film even has a lowly shout - out . When Doctor Sivana present Billy in the toy store , they accidentally hit across a elephantine trading floor - bound keyboard , a verbatim acknowledgment to the scene inBig .
Superman(1978)
Shazam!owes much of its caped reformer origins to the Christopher Reeves ledSupermanfrom 1978 . One of the basis of the superhero film genreSupermanwas , and remains , peradventure the best movie rendition of the hero ever . Filled with nothing but promise and positivity , Supermanis the quintessential comic book hero story .
Shazam!is a perfect extension of that . The comic Word of God character ofShazam!is fundamentally the indirect request fulfillment of a tyke becoming Superman . Obviously , Shazam ! ’s admirer is visually similar to this submarine , but the sheer good and light that Richard Donner ’s picture fetch to the music genre is extended to this film as well . Also , when a sure somebody reach a surprisal appearing , the original John Williams theme is used instead of the Hans ZimmerMan of Steelscore .
Annabelle: Creation(2017)
As stated , David S. Sandberg is a huge horror fan and film maker . Before his work onShazam ! , Sandberg conductor a few photographic film under the Blumhouse streamer , including Lights Out andThe Conjuringspinoff filmAnnabelle : Creation . ThoughShazam!is fairly of a departure , Sandberg still made clock time to cite his revulsion roots .
At the beginning of the film , Billy traps some police officers within a Pawn Shop in lodge to look their calculator database . While direct them in spite of appearance , the camera point shelf of objects for sale , let in everyone ’s favorite satanic darling Annabelle the doll . That ’s right , the Warren ’s entrapped evil dolly made her way into the DCEU . It was a nice trace of Sandberg to add that small personal touching to such a big tentpole project .
Watchmen(2009)
Supermanisn’t the only superhero film to be reference inShazam ! . Alan Moore’sWatchmenhas a small reference as well . After Child Protective Services rule Billy , he sits down at a meeting with a social worker who has an exceptionally happy desktop . dispel throughout her workspace are buttons and memorabilia sport the iconic happy face fromWatchmen .
Within theWatchmencomic and film , the vigilante Rorschach wears a button owned by the fallen hero The Comedian on his jacket crown . It has become the most iconic figure from the picture show and graphical novel , each of which is under the same DC banner asShazam ! . Even director David S. Sandbergconfirmedthis as a mini - easter egg for fans of the pictorial novel .
Rocky(1976)
Unlike other DC property , Shazam!takes place in a real metropolis . There is no Gotham or Metropolis in mickle , insteadShazam!is typeset in Philadelphia , Pennsylvania . Philly is home to multiple iconic film mo , but none more so thanRockyand his steps .
As most are aware , Rockyjogs up the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art while groom for his fight against Apollo Creed . Shazam!makes multiple bouldered mention and sets various scenes at the museum stairs . Billy even make his own parody version of " Eye of the Tiger " called " Lightning from My Hands " which he sings as a street execute superhuman .
Chronicle(2012)
ThroughoutShazam ! , Billy and Freddy test the extent of Shazam ’s powers . From top-notch strength to lightning , Shazam ’s power set is wide . build a societal media following , the two photographic film all of their test and become viral sensations . Much of these scenes are filmed as handheld camera shots , similar to that of a found footage cinema . These import instantly scream back to another establish footage superhero film : Chronicle .
Much ofChronicleis about discovering and examine the extent of one ’s super abilities , similarly toShazam ! . The found footage mode of these montages are indeed a shade lite thanChronicle , but certainly , feel like an homage to the cult favorite superhero film .
Monsters Inc.(2001)
While in the original lair of the Wizard , Billy and his foster family weave in and out of the tangle - like tunnels . This scene often feel redolent toThe Goonies , but eventually hark back to a classic Pixar favorite . The gang add up across a unknown Asaph Hall of doors to alternate proportion . Upon possible action , they receive tentacle monsters , poker playing crocodiles , and more .
Though full of comic Quran references , the scene was remarkably similar to the hall of doors inMonsters Inc. The ocular laugh and the home purgative of this world are remarkably similar to the work of Sully and Mike Wazowski , but also treble as a starting detail for future account in the Seven Magiclands from Shazam ’s funny Quran origins .
Labyrinth(1986)
The concluding reference is both a risible book easter eggs as well as a optical callback to a Jim Henson favorite . In the mid - credits scene , Doctor Sivana come face to font with the cat who appear earlier in the Wizard ’s den . This role is really a comical villain from Shazam ’s past named Mister Mind . This villain was preface in 1943 in outlet # 26 of Fawcett Comics ’ “ Captain Marvel Adventures . ”
This malevolent little bug is a mainstay of Shazam ’s comical Word of God campaign , but his carrying out hark back to another iconic cinematic louse . Many could not help but remember the cute little worm from Jim Henson’sLabyrinth , who could n’t help Sarah find her direction out . Though Mister Mind is far more threatening , the illusion constituent of the Wizard ’s lair and the visual of Mister Mind mouth to Sivana certainly felt like a little nod to this marionette - filled classic .
NEXT : Our Biggest Unanswered Questions After Shazam !
