Shazam! Fury of the Gods Review: Standard Superhero Package!

Shazam Fury of the Gods is the sequel to David F. Sandberg’s 2019 film. It’s the 12th installment in the DC Extended Universe and stars Zachary Levi, Asher Angel, Jack Dylan Grazer, Djimon Hounsou, Grace Caroline Currey, and others in recurring roles. Also, the movie introduces brand new characters played by Rachel Zegler, Lucy Liu, and Helen Mirren, who portray the Daughters of Atlas.

The storyline of Shazam Fury of the Gods begins with The Champions settling into their new powers and having a ton of fun in the process. However, their enjoyment is short-lived when a vengeful trio of Gods arrives on Earth to reclaim the magic stolen from them long ago. The kids must now prepare for their first big test.

Let’s start with the positives. Shazam Fury of the Gods is an enjoyable film with plenty of humor to keep you entertained. If you enjoyed the tone of the first movie, you’ll find much to like in this sequel. In addition, the film’s emotional core is well done, particularly in the way it explores the theme of family and the chemistry between the characters. Billy’s character arc is also a highlight.

However, like many superhero films these days, Shazam 2 follows a familiar formula: good guys vs. bad guys. The villains aim to destroy the world, and the heroes must save it. While the film tries to offer something new with its nuanced antagonists, it ultimately relies on well-worn plot elements that have been used many times before. As a result, it can feel somewhat predictable and lacking in excitement.

The bigger question is: what is the overall point of watching this movie? While it has its entertaining moments, it feels somewhat hollow. The film features cameos and post-credit scenes, but given the recent developments regarding the future of the DCU, it’s unlikely that these plot points will be further developed. Even the big cameo reveal at the climax, which surprised me because I don’t watch trailers, ultimately felt empty and pointless.

While the performances were decent, the film ultimately felt like a standard superhero package. It follows a predictable formula with a basic storyline, a few laughs, some good and bad CGI, and a decent background score. If I were to try to sell this movie to you, I would say it’s a perfect streaming option for some light entertainment. At least you won’t have to worry about how it impacts future instalments, as it likely won’t. That said, it’s still a better film than Black Adam, which has been successful in Dwayne Johnson’s world.

‘Shazam! Fury of the Gods’ Rating – 2.75/5

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