Honest Trailers Commentary | Shazam

The writers of Honest Trailers review Shazam, the DCEU, and watch their latest vid! - it’s Honest Trailers Commentary for Shazam!
Honest Trailers Commentary | Shazam
Hosted by Spencer Gilbert
Featuring Dan Murrell, Joe Starr, & Lon Harris
Produced by Ryan O’Toole
Tech Director: Jonathon Moulton
Assistant Editor: Emin Bassavand

[@gabrielmatthews8826]

The wizard was picking kids in the beginning because he wants someone ""Pure of Heart" and adults are cynical and world-weary. Later he realizes he's running out of time so his standards drop.

[@withlovesavyjovannapavlak5968]

Gabriel Matthews I figured it was also because the whole reason he has to give up his powers is that he’s getting old and dying, so he would want a child who could keep the powers safe longer

[@mk6rfc1]

was black adam a kid then or was he chosen as an adult?

[@gabrielmatthews8826]

@@mk6rfc1 Black Adam going evil is the reason why "pure of heart" became a requirement. But to answer your question he was considered an adult, especially for his time period.

[@JoybuzzerX]

I don't think it was less his standards have dropped and more Billy's words made him realize, there is no one as perfect as he's looking for.

[@randmiller88]

Well, that's kind of bullshit. When you think about it, even Billy's foster parents would have been better candidates.

[@adamten1192]

"I am gonna floss this fact in to your gums of truth" Dan Murrell - 2019

[@JohnBainbridge0]

Spencer: "What's the nerd version of the Bat-Signal?" Me: "Um... the Bat-Signal?"

[@PanAndScanBuddy]

Nerdy symbol. Like, Batman struck fear with bats, so nerds shine a symbol like, that represents nerdiness.

[@TheCNotes1]

@@PanAndScanBuddy soooo, the bat-signal

[@juniper2061]

Nah, taped glasses

[@JohnBainbridge0]

@@juniper2061 Okay. You got me there.

[@tiberiius]

batman is mainstream.

[@TownianScout]

"PG-13 is the warning" amen! Stop taking 6 year olds to PG-13 movies then acting shocked and entitled that the movie wasn't for the child

[@handimanjim4378]

I remember the first PG-13 movie I saw. It is considered the most violent (most on- screen kills by guns). That was the first RED DAWN!!!

[@_RT___]

Parents brought little kids to rated R Deadpool and still complained it wasn't appropriate for kids.

[@TownianScout]

@@_RT___ That's just ridiculous. Lol

[@TownianScout]

@@handimanjim4378 I can't remember the first one I saw... Maybe Jurassic Park? It was the early 90s and I was probably 7 our 8

[@SpencerLee97]

Maybe don't market it as a goofy kids movie then?

[@Betta66]

Way to go, America. Out of all the DC franchise entries that could've underperformed, you had to make it one of the good ones.

[@fahimalvi9521]

True. But it's not their fault. This movie wasn't heavily advertised like other superhero movies and it's release date was awkward. If only WB released it in July and with good marketing, then I'm sure it would have brought better results.

[@inkevinsworld]

It didn't under perform. The film made triple it's budget and is already green lit and got fast tracked. What are you talking about lol.

[@Betta66]

@@inkevinsworld The studios don't want superhero movies to make just three times their budget. That's why I say it underperformed.

[@inkevinsworld]

@@Betta66 studios want there films to make a profit. This film made its profit 3 times over. What are you talking about lol. And Idk where you're from but i saw commercials and KZbin ads that entire press run all the time where I'm from. Bottom line the movie made and didn't lose money and it's getting a sequel cause this argument we're having is irrelevant. The movie was really good and the studio obviously wants more. Have a good day.

[@IAmGeorgeLucas]

America has a lot to answer for, but this is the fault of WB and the multiple shitty DC films that preceded it (cough cough Zach Snyder)

[@handimanjim4378]

"I didn't choose the children, my staff chose the children! I fell out my chair when he said that!! LOL 🤣!

[@shahankery]

"to be fair to the wizard"- Lon Harris

[@deathsyth8888]

That Chappelle Show deep cut killed me. "Shazam!"

[@brianeells5663]

That made me laugh..., this was one of the funnier Honest Trailers in a long while. I also liked the burn about Shazam being 38 and in a styrofoam suit

[@leademi1387]

That deep cut really highlighted how clever Spencer truly is.

[@politereminder6284]

@@michaelpipkin9942 It was PERFECT! 👌

[@thedarkknight2221]

I’m disappointed you guys didn’t point out the scene when Dr. Sivana is fighting Shazam in the air and monologues at him from like 100 yards away and Shazam is going WHAT. It was right there it something you guys would’ve wrote.

[@Suzanne_sf]

agreed. also, it is something you always think of when seeing these type of scenes in other movies.

[@kairebollo4275]

You guys should get the director of Shazam to talk about it. I'm sure he would considering his internet background and whatnot

[@mariacarolinecosta8793]

Kai Rebollo exactly what i was thinking! His video mocking cinemasins was a really nice watch and i found it by chance

[@Kier4n99]

What's the video called?

[@mariacarolinecosta8793]

Aidan Brice it’s called “the problem solving of filmmaking”

[@nixian_zwaylus]

i obviously agree i mean who would say no to that?

[@aprilperrault9438]

I completely forgot that Mark was in green lantern. That movie was removed from the timeline.

[@poihpioakarp8845]

"To be fair to the wizard..." ~Lon Harris, 2019

[@jermhoosierfan]

From stuff I have read, Henry Cavill was supposed to be in Shazam to do a much longer scene in the lunch room, but there were supposedly scheduling conflicts. It was right around the time he had the whole dust up over his contract and signed on to do The Witcher. I think it turned out fine the way it is. I just want to see Cavill back as Supes in a film with Shazam. Cavill letting loose would be great.

[@TheFranciscoFm]

I want a spitch "ala uncle Ben" from superman to shazam

[@benzaiten933]

while this is neither here nor there; Congrats for your Emmy nomination 🎊🎠🎇🎈! also; I hope you all will have a great time at ComicCon!

[@jermhoosierfan]

I would love to see them win that Emmy and have it on the desk for few weeks during the Commentaries.

[@LowbrowDeluxe]

Mister Mind is awesome, and I hope they do include Superman at some point because my favorite bit of the modern continuity was Superman finding out that Shazam was actually a kid and getting just PISSED looking and saying, "Who did this to you?" Like, really. Pure of heart, sure, but this is still a crushing responsibility to put on a kid all things considered.

[@TinaTissue28]

I would love to see that but I think by the time DC even attempts to do a Justice League 2, Billy Batson would probably be closer to a man than a boy

[@vojislavmedic]

Philadelphia police was busy with Bruce Willis being drowned in a puddle 😂😂😂

[@JCIce007]

The moment you mentioned "80s kids movies that toughen you up" I immediately flashed back to Never Ending Story and the horse. Quicksand is the greatest evil in the universe

[@jonathanazzopardi2137]

Immediately heard him screaming Artaaaaax after reading your message :( heart wrenching

[@Samael1113]

...Soooo, being the pedant in the room, it wasn't quick sand exactly. It was mud and other muck, as they weren't in "The Desert" or "Sands of Sadness", they were in "The Swamp of Sadness". Quicksand was a trope in a number of other movies, but TNES was not one of them.

[@hollywoodshopaholic]

You just brought back one of my biggest childhood traumas

[@adamdavis1648]

I know a lot of people don't like the Nostalgia Critic anymore and for good reason, but I LOVE the irony of the fact that when talking about that moment he made fun of the idea of a horse being depressed and now we have Bojack Horseman.

[@TheMightyWomabt]

"To be fair to the wizard" might be my new favorite line of all time.

[@zer0luv]

Oh man, there was a guy in our theater who used the rolling credits to explain to everyone exiting what the caterpillar is & why he's actually really cool and everyone was just staring at him confused. Like "alright, thanks? comic-boy guy"

[@jessISaRicePrincess]

I would have love to talk to that guy i love shazam but the only thing i new from the character is from the justice league cartoon so i have no clue what that post credit scene is

[@rouenation]

"The Staff Chose The Boy." LMAO... "The Staff Chose The Boy?" *In Chris Hansen voice*

[@shelinam]

I half expected to see the “Martha” moment, as well; but, in hindsight, it would not have made sense to include it. It was merely a reference to Bats and Supes moms. Neither of them had any real “issues” with their respective Marthas. Whereas, Aquaman, Silk Spectre, and Billy have mother issues because their moms either left them or they have a tense relationship.

[@khrashingphantom9632]

The Dave Chapplle joke is one of the best from Honest Trailers in years!! My goodness I can't stop laughing!!

[@MarkCalise]

When I saw SHAZAM in the theater, I was the one guy who was clapping (I may have even shouted) when Mr. Mind showed up at the end, and I can assure you I was not lying.

[@TheFranciscoFm]

yeah yeah... nice info for the Shazam wiki...

[@MarkCalise]

@@TheFranciscoFm um, is this response really warranted? I mean if I had said, "Actually, Mr. Mind is a space worm, not a Caterpillar!" Or talked about the history of Mr. Mind, then yeah your comment would work. But as is, not really.

[@TheFranciscoFm]

@@MarkCalise Sorry, i just wanted to be mean with someone.

[@FlagCutie]

"I trust them at this point. I'm back on!" Me too.

[@BioFontaineRyan]

DC needs to keep going full weird. Bring on the Angry Caterpillar.

[@gawainethefirst]

A Noncontradiction, in the comics, Mr Mind is one of the more powerful villains.

[@BadDubII]

Its like Doom Patrol. I didn't expect that to be so weird but now I'm like lets see how weird this can get.

[@nisa202]

Same as what happened with Legends of Tomorrow. You can just see where the writers stopped taking it seriously.

[@dragonsword8129]

Exactly. DC is at its best when they go full comic book.

[@multiverse_media2023]

@@dragonsword8129 Nah. Still sucks. Shazam is the only exception.

[@cinephan]

In the original comic in the 40's, the reason he picked a kid was because of Black Adam. Black Adam had been chosen as an adult, and he turned out to be such an awful mistake, the wizard decided to choose a child for the next champion.

[@drmattconrad77]

I wonder if they picked the wizard based on that they would need a young version for Black Adam.

[@Betta66]

Did anyone else notice the school was called Fawcett Central? That was a nice little homage.

[@eme.261]

"To be fair to the wizard...." You tell 'em, Defense Attorney Lon! 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@Nobody134]

You should have gone with Big 2: Electric Boogaloo

[@nateds7326]

I didn’t realize how hardcore 80s kids movies were

[@teigannyman196]

Do an Honest Trailer for either Hard Target, the Hulk 70s TV show, Superman III, The Terminator (1984), or Daredevil (Netflix).

[@dashingdreww1185]

Agreed

[@romanragnorak]

Why does Dan's impression of angry internet sound like Harrison Ford?

[@Betta66]

Between this, Us, and Toy Story 4, 2019 has a lot of movies set at carnivals.

[@victoreguerra]

Not a movie, but also Stranger Things

[@noahbovenizer8347]

Can't wait for the extended carnival scenes in the lion king, Frozen and Episode IX!

[@TheFranciscoFm]

And It... The movie It... the clown one... Yeah that. Also will have a carnival

[@KEVMAN7987]

I know why they chose Superman for the lunch scene, but when the Cavill issues made it difficult, they should've just grabbed Ezra Miller or Gal Gadot. Or maybe not Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman in a high school would've made the janitor quit after having to clean the boy's restroom that day.

[@JackDManheim]

So, you want to see a magical, fluffy, flying white dragon? Okay, but we're killing the horse... slowly. Oh man, those 80's kid flix left some scars.

[@langleymneely]

Apparently they originally cast the old black man Ron Cephus Jones from the first season of This Is Us as the Old Wizard. He had to bow out because of scheduling so you guys are actually kind of correct! Djimon Honsou is the go to hire for minor costumed superhero film characters. Lol

[@erikpeterson611]

I knew someone who didn't like shazam because it was to kiddy. I was so confused by that after I saw it. What was to kiddy, the plot about the orphan who finds out his mom doesn't want him or the demons eating heads off.

[@politereminder6284]

Dude! Them demons! Gave me nightmares 😰

[@halimlorette2742]

My head canon about He-Man is that everyone knows he's Prince Adam, but they just don't mention it to be polite.

[@88porpoise]

Going through some old Honest Trailers that I didn't watch at the time and seeing these guys interacting in person is so nostalgic.

[@lcd130]

I applaud Lon’s Lil John impression 👏👏👏

[@retluoc]

The caterpillar: 'Dr. Sivana, you have lost your muchness." Now where's his hooka? 😁

[@manicpixiefangirl4189]

I liked that they got Lex Luthor’s dad from Smallville to play the dad of another rich bald DC villain.

[@iAmLeRoY1221]

I'm proud to say I was the one person slowclapping at the mister mind reveal. Well it was more like "OMG are they really going to do evil caterpillar?!?!" But I was excited that they'd attempt something that blatantly ridiculous. And I only knew of him from the animated Justice League Action show.

[@reelkonversationswithryank4945]

Dan: "Because it's not that they want to hear the trailer, it's that they can't hear us" That was MY COMMENT!!! Thank you so much for hearing your audience. Keep up the great work.

[@reelkonversationswithryank4945]

@@ThreadBomb - No bubble bursting. Only a fool would think they were the only one to point out such an obvious item. That's why I said, hearing your audience instead of reading my specific comment.

[@GenerationWest]

You know in the early 2000s He-Man reboot, Prince Adam was a lanky teen, but as He-Man, be becomes a brawny, muscled bound, deep voiced warrior. Which made WAY more sense that the original version.

[@kenjisparks]

Guys, Levi was cast as Shazam 6 months before shooting started. There's no way he could've gotten in shape in time.

[@ccruse1112]

I think they used Djimon Hounsou instead of an actual old actor because they plan on having him play the same character (just very much younger) in the black adam movie.

[@GdotHost]

7:14 Yeah, this joke was spot on. Watched the Honest Trailer before coming here for the commentary and I actually said, "Holy shit..." out loud to myself when the split screen came up during the trailer. I was wondering who called this in the writer's room, nice catch Spencer. Thanks everyone for the trailer and commentary. Edit: 11:20 "To be fair to the wizard..." Another great moment that came out of this Honest Trailer and Commentary.

[@Jayk129]

“WE’RE GONNA KILL A HORSE!” Lol

[@ArielMayer96]

One of the times I saw Shazam in theaters there were lots of kids there. Many of them cried several times during the movie

[@meganrobinson9867]

You need to add these honest commentaries either to the old playlist or create a new one

[@PragmaticGolem]

I was the 1% clapping in the theater when mr mind appeared

[@bigtime8806]

I was that guy that clapped at the mid-credits scene. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I'd ever see Mister Mind in live action on the big screen. He's actually an incredibly terrifying villain.

[@wiktoriabarecka6006]

"Its that they can't hear us" YES thank you! You're listening to the comments!! 😂😂

[@nisa202]

I actually loved the Lil Jon reference. And then you kept the music playing. It really made me laugh.

[@Suzanne_sf]

i think they should do a live action gargoyles also. i think they could get a lot of the original voice actors! it is good to know i'm not alone in thinking this.

[@aprilperrault9438]

One of my favorite commentaries. Also, one of my favorite movies.

[@KDMantz]

Shout out to Lon for the perfect Three Amigos reference!

[@benabramowitz18]

I think Shazam may have underperformed at the box office because two HUGE Marvel movies opened right around it, and it had no room to leg out. The opening weekend also wasn't great because of Us (and maybe even Dumbo). If it came out in August, maybe a week after Hobbs & Shaw (because F&F movies tend to be pretty frontloaded), and well after The Lion King plays out, it might've really broken out.

[@swanpride]

Plus, what IS it with Superhero movies featuring Christmas never being released around Christmas?

[@SuperFlik]

Wow, this just went right off the rails and I love it.

[@joshliam1967]

While the movie wasn't a huge hit, every time I talk about this movie with someone I tell them it's a must-see. Not a lot of movies I talk about that way, and I think in the long run this will be remembered more than some movies (*cough* Aquaman) that made more money.

[@davidh6284]

Billy didn't steal a police car, he just trapped the officers in a pawn shop so he could use the computer in the police car.

[@mk6rfc1]

thats still breaking the law surely?

[@davidh6284]

Well yeah, but my point is that Spencer kept saying that Billy stole the car when he didn't.

[@JackHabiger]

Please do an honest trailer for the Final Destination series!!!

[@AnCapone1899]

You have to make the honest trailer of American Psycho

[@fleddermaus9047]

It still puzzles me how it failed at the box office.

[@benabramowitz18]

Guys, I don't think they're going to do every Quentin Tarantino movie next week−even though he has a new one coming out soon and we've all been requesting for this one ever since you made career retrospective Trailers a thing!!! On the other hand, I am looking forward to next week's Honest Trailer for Batman Returns! Hopefully the Comic-Con crowd loves it!

[@clee89]

I think this is my favorite of the new dc films

[@Stilgar2]

This and 2/3 of Wonder Woman are the only movies worth a damn.

[@deeya]

Thank you for pointing it out! The whole padded suit discussion bothered me so much last year when it became viral. With Zachary Levi Instagramming his gym workouts and stuff. The whole time I was thinking: he's a kid that turns into an adult superhero. When exactly is Zach supposed to show off his abs? To the monsters and Sylvanna? A 'The Situation' kind of intimidation tactic?

[@nadiahassan5307]

The convo about He-Man and Adam is without a doubt the funniest thing I’ve heard today. Thanks guys for making me laugh

[@MaxIronsThird]

Big 2: Electric Boogaloo is great on so many levels. Call You by my Name is also really good.

[@ChrissaTodd]

I don’t think being street smart means he’d know adults jobs he didn’t spend time around healthy adults so he just knows business men go to offices.

[@arceuslordofcreation8824]

"Like Shazam and the Rock start fighting, and then they become friends" HELL NO Black Adam is evil to the bone

[@whereforeartthoume6459]

I live right outside of Philly and you are giving actual Philly cops too much credit

[@potterpotty01]

come on its Big with superpowers, what was not to love! this was a good film.

[@reelkonversationswithryank4945]

I might have the answer to why they have to age someone up to be the old wizard. It could be because when he gave the power to Black Adam, he was much younger so they can use him at his real age or slightly older in that movie. It's always easier to age up with make-up and hair that to de-age with digital tech. That's my opinion... and my hope for the Black Adam movie.

[@elaguajdo]

While the movie didn't have a dark tone overall, I thought that Billy's mom completely abandoning him at that carnival when he was a toddler was VERY dark. I mean, even before we saw the truth, it was very obvious what really happened to Billy. No parent would've left a stone unturned without their kid, had they lost them in a crowd like that, ANYwhere. That was dark.

[@rolaa2223]

You Captain DC would have been hilarious

[@JackHabiger]

PLEASE DO AN HONEST TRAILER FOR THE FINAL DESTINATION SERIES!!!!!!!!!@¡!!!!!!

[@BigMediumBub]

Another great video guys.

[@CWargh63]

32:30 "We need to lure more boys to take the staff from us" How do you sleep at night? Wait. No. I don't wanna know...

[@arqbolognesi]

you win my LIKE with the He-Man talk

[@Fizzlegear]

I got super excited for mr mind from the second they showed the caterpillar enclosure when the wizard was introduced

[@javiersp15]

The Tyrone Biggums joke nearly killed.

[@joshuatabak95]

The angry caterpillar from the Alice and Wonderland movies confused the hell out of me. I thought I inherent vice'd that scene until you had it in your trailer again.

[@ultrafu5892]

The power of the Wizard selects mostly children because they are less corrupted than adults who have seen the evil and horrors of the world. And an innocent child can be molded, guided or "brainwashed" to accept the kind of "Justice" the the power of SHAZAM can bestow upon the world.

[@TomAmit42]

00:14:07 The nerd version of The Bat Signal is THE BAT SIGNAL.

[@dawickedj]

The Tyrone Biggums think killed me

[@calonkat]

When I saw Mr. Mind in the early part of the movie, I squealed. But I will confess to having a fair number of the comics when he was a common character. My mom was with me and didn't remember him, and she read Captain Marvel, Mary Marvel, and Captain Marvel Jr. during WWII.

[@Xperian13]

Aww, Dan is really read comments.

[@brandonandcharlene9527]

Lon, the wizard Shazam look existed before Gandalf and long before Dumbledore. Casting Honsou was actually the biggest deviation, although I think he did great. People forget how old this character is coming out only 2 years after Superman

[@michaeloftaoism]

Reminds me when i saw lawnmower man at a screening and i was still in gradeschool...i loved it! But none of my classmates believed me

[@davidmcmahon4633]

I'm thinking they really missed the boat by not having Sylvester Stallone be the wizard."Yo Kid! Touch my staff!"

[@ashaigboko949]

Finally! Some Joe action!

[@TheLowBrassDude]

I'm the one guy who knew Mister Mind and the Monster Society of Evil!

[@TheRealGuywithoutaMustache]

Do an honest trailer on The Disaster Artist

[@C.Dat.guyoverthere]

Foster's Home for Super Friends was pretty good.

[@skilledwarman]

24:30 That moment in the movie got the biggest smile out of me. even as a Marvel fanboy that was one of my favorite super hero moments in a long time

[@DazzOne2012]

Why do I always get the notification for the commentaries, but I have to search for the actual Honest Trailer that should accompany it?

[@CyGea]

HIS NAME IS MISTER MIND! He is one of the greatest comic book villains of all time and you will tremble before him! There was 2 of us hooting for him in my screening and you 4 need to turn in your comic book nerd cards.

[@ChrisSmith-tu9bu]

I loved Online you vs IRL you as well as spooky Muppets