While movies within the Man Of Steel was a strong opener for DC's extended universe, but many of the movies that followed have been critical and commercial disappointments.
Thankfully, not every movie within the DCEU has underwhelmed. For every the best of Marvel's output and are indicative of the quality that can be achieved when the right filmmakers are chosen.
But which is the best in the franchise? Wonder Woman or Shazam? For those torn between the two, here are just a few of the reasons why one might be chosen over the other.
Wonder Woman: A True Hero At The Heart Of The Story
All superheroes are heroic to an extent, but Wonder Woman is arguably the most heroic because she is somebody who has genuinely embraced the superhero lifestyle. The same can't always be said of Superman either, who has been far too broody and introspective in recent movies.
Thank goodness for Wonder Woman who, in the 2017 movie, placed the cares and needs of others to the fore. She genuinely seemed to want to be a hero, and as fans saw in her childhood years, she trained hard to take on the heroic mantle. From saving Steve Rogers from an alleyway attack to charging across No Man's Land to defend Allied forces, Wonder Woman did what was right because she felt called to and not because of a misplaced obligation.
Shazam: A Perfect Balance Between Light And Dark
Many of DC's blockbusters, Man of Steel and Batman v Superman among them, have adopted a darker tone. Wonder Woman, despite a few comic moments, also felt a little too gloomy at times thanks to the horrors of its World War I setting.
Shazam, however, strikes a perfect balance between light and dark. It's a heartwarming and hilarious movie that the whole family can get on board with, despite some moments of near-horror and harsh reality. It's because the jokes come thick and fast that the movie doesn't feel overly-heavy, unlike those lesser movies within the DCEU that fail to intersperse the same level of levity.
Wonder Woman: Captures A Great Filmmaker's Vision
Wonder Woman was arguably one the best superhero movies of the last decade, and that is largely thanks to the director at the helm of the movie. Despite some studio opposition and the pressure Warner Bros. applied to have a darker version of the character, Patty Jenkins' vision of the superhero remained intact.
Jenkins remained faithful to the Wonder Woman of the comic books, a warrior of both love and power, and the movie is all the better for her tightly honed approach. The same cannot be said of Suicide Squad either, as that movie also suffered from studio interference.
Shazam: A Superhero We Can Genuinely Relate To
Not many people can relate to multi-billionaire Bruce Wayne, and it's unlikely anybody can relate to Superman and his alien heritage. It is difficult to relate to Wonder Woman too, as while she might possess characteristics common to many people, she is still an Amazonian Goddess with tremendous powers.
Shazam, however, is a superhero that many people can relate to. He does exactly what a teenage kid would do when granted superhero powers, and uses them to have fun before using them to save the day. He comes from an everyday working-class background, chews bubble gum, goes to school, and has issues around family and identity. In short, he's relatable and the movie is better for it.
Wonder Woman: Gal Gadot's Wonderful Performance
Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, and Jason Momoa are all accomplished actors, but they largely relied on their physique to sell themselves as the heroes of their movies. While Gal Gadot buffed herself up for the role, fans were won over by her performance as the character rather than her stature.
Whether it's showing vulnerability in scenes with her Amazonian mother, her confidence when working in a 'man-made' world as Diana Prince, or sheer bravado when facing off against the Nazi regime, Gadot expertly expresses every facet of Wonder Woman.
Shazam: The Best Third Act Of Any DCEU Movie
For all of the movie's many positives, Wonder Woman still falls into the trap of a CGI-heavy third act. The same can apply to any number of movies within the DCEU that favor special effects over a coherent ending and closing character dynamics.
Shazam still has an action-packed third act but at its heart, it is so much more than a barrage of CGI. Instead, viewers get heartwarming scenes of real emotion as Billy discovers his true powers come from the love of his foster siblings. Audiences laugh, gasp, and cry with joy as the movie ends with messages of hope, peace, and the meaning of family.
Wonder Woman: The Best Superhero Movie With A Female Lead
It's safe to say that female-led superhero movies are in short supply. And of those that have been made, very few stand out as being any good. In 2017, however, Wonder Woman was the first movie to prove a female superhero could be a hit with audiences and critics.
It was clear in Batman v Superman that Wonder Woman was the real hero of the pack. She had more screen presence than her male counterparts, and it was evident that she was worthy of the lead in a solo movie. After Black Widow, here's hoping more movies are greenlit with female superheroes at the core.
Shazam: The Special Effects Aren't Cringe-Worthy
Fans believed a man could fly in 1978's Superman, but many other movies in the comic book genre have had The Fantastic Four are two of the biggest offenders, and more recently, the special effects in Wonder Woman 1984 had fans cackling with laughter.
Shazam is not guilty of the same. Audiences believe every lightning zap, every fight scene, and every magical moment in the movie because the special effects are all well done. Even the demons look real and not like some CGI-heavy creations dreamt up by a computer whiz.
Wonder Woman: The Critics Love It
Wonder Woman 1984's reviews were decidedly mixed, unfortunately, but that cannot take away the success of the 2017 movie. It still stands as the best-reviewed movie within the DCEU, with critics falling over themselves to praise both Gal Gadot and Patty Jenkins for their part in its overall success.
"A tremendous win for a franchise that desperately needed one," wrote Tasha Robinson for The Verge. And Michael Phillips for the Chicago Tribune wrote: "For the first time in a long time, I came out of a DC comic book movie feeling ready for a sequel." These are just two of the reviews the movie received, and are evidence that Wonder Woman could well be the best movie within the DCEU thus far.
Shazam: It's The DCEU's Most Fun Movie
Forget the brooding heaviness of Batman v Superman and the somber tones of Man of Steel. Disregard the anarchy of Suicide Squad and Birds of Prey. Shazam is a real breath of fresh air within the DCEU, and this is because it's a movie packed with gags, moments of joy, and heartwarming positivity.
Here fans have a movie that is suitable for the kids in our families and the kid inside every one of us. It makes us want to be a superhero because the character within is having so much fun. Happiness and kindness prevail throughout nearly every scene, and for its sheer entertainment factor, it is arguably the DCEU's best movie.
