Nader Chamas is an aspiring television writer who seeks to fuse thought provoking progressive ideals into the films, shows, and stories that he loves. Having graduated from Loyola Marymount University with a degree in Screenwriting, Nader seeks to use his writing to advance causes that do not get enough attention or input across mainstream media. Like most, Nader has his own share of his favorite franchises and stories across pop culture. However, he seeks to contribute timely and relevant topics into these stories as well as in his own original material. This is why Nader’s analysis of popular films and tv shows matches The Hollywood Insider’spractice of discussing entertainment from a socially cognizant and critical perspective.
Jul 27, 2024
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In the summer of 2015, theMarvel Cinematic Universe decided to tap into the genre of family films with its release of‘Ant-Man’, the story about a shrinking superhero who seeks to rebuild his life and his relationship with his daughter. 4 years later, in the spring of 2019,DC took a stab at the same genre with one of their more successful films in recent memory in ‘Shazam!’, the story of a boy who gets welcomed into a foster home and soon acquires superheroes, one of which turns him into a fully grown adult.
Both films were relatively successful from both a financial and critical perspective. They also share many similar features such as a charismatic comedic lead, story elements exclusive to the family film genre, fun action sequences, a witty script, and a heartwarming ending. Each film is stronger in some areas than the other. However, it seems only suitable to compare the two films and discern which is superior. Which of these two family comic book films is the better movie?
‘Ant-Man’s Micro-Level Action Sequences Are Macro-Level Exciting
Just a couple of months before the release of ‘Ant-Man’,Marvel Studios came out with its long-awaited sequel to ‘The Avengers’ in the form of ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’. That movie was a satisfactory follow-up to its predecessor, but despite concluding with an actual city being lifted into the sky, the action mostly followed the same formula and consequently fell into the same traps that most action sequences in Marvel movies fall into. With ‘Ant-Man’, however, due to the primary ability of its protagonist, the action is a fresh change to what we’ve seen before in comic book films. The scenes withPaul Rudd’s character Scott Lang training ants, flying with ants, dodging bullets, and battlingCorey Stoll’s Yellowjacket with a toy Thomas the Train, are a welcome deviation from a standard car chase, alien invasion, or kickboxing match. The film makes full use of its microscopic subject and incorporates this into its high-conflict moments to give us some of the most vibrant and memorable action sequences in the MCU.
The action and visual effects sequences are some of the strongest aspects of the film, but other elements work very well too. One of those is Paul Rudd’s charm and charisma carrying most of the film as well as his on-screen chemistry withEvangeline Lilly andMichael Douglas. The script and the rest of the supporting characters also brought plenty of wit and heart to the film as well.
‘Shazam!’ Brings It’s Comedic A-Game To The Comic Book Genre
Like many other comic book films today, ‘Shazam!’ uses humor to its full potential, but what distinguishes it from the others is that it’s funny. While ‘Shazam!’ is centered around the boy-turns-into-adult story that we might see in another classic family comedy like‘Big’, the majority of the humor isn’t composed of recycled jokes we might have seen in old sitcoms but is made up of original material. This is largely due to the vulnerable and intuitive performance of its star,Zachary Levi. Similar to Rudd’s performance in ‘Ant-Man’, Levi brings a man-child personality to the character of Billy Batson. Exactly what is needed for the character of a kid who suddenly finds himself as a fully grown adult. More importantly, Levi knows how to make this character as real and believable as possible, which is why the humorous side of Billy Batson works so well.
What elevated Levi’s heartfelt presence was his on-screen chemistry with his foster brother Freddy, excellently played byJack Dylan Grazer. As was the case with Yellowjacket in ‘Ant-Man’, Dr. Sivana, played byMark Strong, was not a bad villain by any means, but was simply a mere device used to further the plot, however, that was all he needed to be as the primary focus was on Billy and his family. Other elements of the film also work well, such as Billy’s relationship with his other siblings and his learning how to use his powers. The film also packs a powerful emotional punch behind Billy’s goal throughout most of the film, which is trying to find and track down his mom. To sum it up, ‘Shazam!’ not only does comedy better than other titles in its genre but also contains emotional beats that pay off far more effectively than most other comic book films.
Both ‘Ant-Man’ and ‘Shazam!’ share many of the same strengths as well as a couple of similar weaknesses (an okay villain). They both lean heavily into the lighter side of the comic book genre and borrow many traits from family-friendly classics such as ‘Big’ and‘Honey, I Shrunk the Kids’. Both are carried by a charming and charismatic lead actor Paul Rudd and Zachary Levi. Both feature exciting action sequences, enjoyable supporting characters, a robust script, and a solid narrative. But it would be remiss to leave the question in the title of this article unanswered. Overall, both ‘Ant-Man’ and ‘Shazam!’ are fantastic and are among the better films in the MCU and DCEU respectively, the best of these two films would have to be…‘Shazam!’.
While there are some things that ‘Ant-Man’ does better than ‘Shazam!’, such as creating exciting action sequences, many of the former’s strengths are simply stronger and more engaging. The humor in ‘Ant-Man’ is better than in most Marvel movies, but the comedy in ‘Shazam!’ is more original and hence, more exciting. Paul Rudd brings as much of his comedic sensibilities as he can, but they seem somewhat hindered at times by the direction he’s given, whereas Zachary Levi’s improvisational skills are used to their full potential. The villain is less of an issue in ‘Shazam!’. The character of Dr. Sivanna was at least given some less cliche villain dialogue than what Yellowjacket had in ‘Ant-Man’. Additionally, while the story about an ex-con trying to reconnect with his daughter was executed effectively in ‘Ant-Man’, the struggle of a boy trying to find his lost mother provoked the desired emotional response from the viewer when watching ‘Shazam!’. Again, both films are fantastic, but the title which is the better movie must go to ‘Shazam!’.
Click here to read The Hollywood Insider’s CEO Pritan Ambroase’s love letter to Cinema, TV and Media. An excerpt from the love letter: The Hollywood Insider’s CEO/editor-in-chief Pritan Ambroase affirms, “We have the space and time for all your stories, no matter who/what/where you are. Media/Cinema/TV have a responsibility to better the world and The Hollywood Insider will continue to do so. Talent, diversity and authenticity matter in Cinema/TV, media and storytelling. In fact, I reckon that we should announce “talent-diversity-authenticity-storytelling-Cinema-Oscars-Academy-Awards” as synonyms of each other. We show respect to talent and stories regardless of their skin color, race, gender, sexuality, religion, nationality, etc., thus allowing authenticity into this system just by something as simple as accepting and showing respect to the human species’ factual diversity. We become greater just by respecting and appreciating talent in all its shapes, sizes, and forms. Award winners, which includes nominees, must be chosen on the greatness of their talent ALONE.
I am sure I am speaking for a multitude of Cinema lovers all over the world when I speak of the following sentiments that this medium of art has blessed me with. Cinema taught me about our world, at times in English and at times through the beautiful one-inch bar of subtitles. I learned from the stories in the global movies that we are all alike across all borders. Remember that one of the best symbols of many great civilizations and their prosperity has been the art they have left behind. This art can be in the form of paintings, sculptures, architecture, writings, inventions, etc. For our modern society, Cinema happens to be one of them. Cinema is more than just a form of entertainment, it is an integral part of society. I love the world uniting, be it for Cinema, TV, media, art, fashion, sport, etc. Please keep this going full speed.”
Nader Chamas is an aspiring television writer who seeks to fuse thought provoking progressive ideals into the films, shows, and stories that he loves. Having graduated from Loyola Marymount University with a degree in Screenwriting, Nader seeks to use his writing to advance causes that do not get enough attention or input across mainstream media. Like most, Nader has his own share of his favorite franchises and stories across pop culture. However, he seeks to contribute timely and relevant topics into these stories as well as in his own original material. This is why Nader’s analysis of popular films and tv shows matches The Hollywood Insider’spractice of discussing entertainment from a socially cognizant and critical perspective.
Nader Chamas is an aspiring television writer who seeks to fuse thought provoking progressive ideals into the films, shows, and stories that he loves. Having graduated from Loyola Marymount University with a degree in Screenwriting, Nader seeks to use his writing to advance causes that do not get enough attention or input across mainstream media. Like most, Nader has his own share of his favorite franchises and stories across pop culture. However, he seeks to contribute timely and relevant topics into these stories as well as in his own original material. This is why Nader’s analysis of popular films and tv shows matches The Hollywood Insider’spractice of discussing entertainment from a socially cognizant and critical perspective.
Nader Chamas is an aspiring television writer who seeks to fuse thought provoking progressive ideals into the films, shows, and stories that he loves. Having graduated from Loyola Marymount University with a degree in Screenwriting, Nader seeks to use his writing to advance causes that do not get enough attention or input across mainstream media. Like most, Nader has his own share of his favorite franchises and stories across pop culture. However, he seeks to contribute timely and relevant topics into these stories as well as in his own original material. This is why Nader’s analysis of popular films and tv shows matches The Hollywood Insider’spractice of discussing entertainment from a socially cognizant and critical perspective.
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