I grew up reading most of the DC comic titles but must admit that "Shazam!" passed me by completely. Maybe the comic stores and stands in my native Glasgow just didn't stock it or even if it was around, perhaps I somehow perceived it was aimed at a much younger age-group, says the guy who first got into comics aged 7 or 8. Anyway, at least it meant that I came to this particular hero with no fore-knowledge or preconceptions.

I kind of get that both Marvel and DC have been slanting some of their recent movies at the pre- and young teens audience, if you think about the Spider Man and Flash features, but Billy Batson, Shazam's alter-ego is actually only 14 years old, which I'm not going to lie, made it hard for me to relate to the character.

I have to say that the general characterisations presented, along with the story-arc, SFX, super-villain and attempts at humour all left me pretty cold here. I felt there was nothing I hadn't seen or heard before, which I could have forgiven if they had been done better but in all honesty, they weren't really.

Zachary Levi in the grown-up title role goofs along gamely but you can almost see a lack of commitment in Mark Strong's role as the super-villain. By the time we get to the battle royal between Shazam and what looks like the Brady Bunch - turned Legion of Super Heroes versus Strong and his seven less-than-deadly sin-monsters, I was greatly anticipating the finish.

I really wanted to like this money but must admit that while watching it I rather wish I could have Shazam-ed myself somewhere else instead.