Shazam! Fury of the Gods - A Movie Review

Superheroes change the world.

After the success of the 2019 film, Shazam! Fury of the Gods is a 2023 film that picks up from where the events of the first film left off. Continuing the story of Bill Batson who changes into his superhero alter ego, Shazam, there’s new evil to fight.

I almost did not watch Shazam! due to my lack of interest in superhero films. Thankfully, I put my bias aside and watched the film and enjoyed it. The sequel is an exciting action film but some parts dictated more storytelling and character depth.

Shazam! would not be what it is without the talented Zachary Levi as the adult superhero persona of Billy. He has the time of his life in this role, capturing the childlike wonder and enthusiasm that made his character so endearing in the first film. All of his lines are memorable.

It’s disappointing that Asher Angel is not given more to do when Billy is the most important character in the film. Like the last film, the personalities between Billy and Shazam! also do not match.

Jack Dylan Grazier is the standout performance. Grazier is coming into his own as an actor. His performance as Freddy Freeman steals the show, bringing natural charisma and comedic timing to the role. He delivers the film’s funniest moments.

The rest of the cast is spectacular. Most reprising their roles from the first film, the sequel showcases the growth of its characters and introduces new challenges that test the limits of their powers.

Similar to the first film, the dynamic between the foster family of superheroes remains a standout element. Shazam! conducts a powerful message about foster families. Marta Milan and Cooper Andrews were excellent as the foster parents, also acquiring memorable comedic timing.

New actors consist of Rachel Zegler, Helen Mirren, and Lucy Liu who deliver solid performances. While each delivered solid performances as villains, their characters lacked depth and a sufficient backstory. The motivations behind their actions are not fully explored. I wanted to know more about their characters.

Due to the popularity of the first film, the sequel falls short in its narrative structure, taking a while to construct plot details. At 2+ hours long, the film is overloaded with action sequences, subplots, and excessive comedic banter between the main characters.

Taking a while to establish the main plot, the numerous subplots detract viewers from the central story. While the film successfully expands the Shazam! universe, it could have benefited from a tighter focus on the main characters and their personal journeys. Subplots consumed the film’s main plotline which loses itself in all the superhero fights against the villains.

Speaking of fighting sequences, the visual effects in Shazam! Fury of the Gods is impressive, particularly during the action sequences. The use of everyone’s powers and the introduction of new mythological creatures bring the world of magic and mythology to life in a visually stunning manner.

David F. Sandberg did a great job as usual with the cast it’s the film that could have been more consistent. It missed an opportunity to delve deeper into its mythology, a story aspect that is merely glossed over.

What makes Shazam! different from other action films is the tight blend between action, drama, and comedy. The comedy is one of the best parts of Shazam! The sequel still captures the spirit of the original. It’s genuine and keeps audiences engaged.

Shazam! Fury of the Gods is a worthy sequel that delivers comedy, emotional depth, and top-notch action. Watch it on HBO with your superhero best friends.