SHAZAM: Fury Of The Gods_Movie Review

“Shazam! Fury of the Gods” is the sequel to the 2019 superhero movie “Shazam!”. As a studio-produced sequel and a superhero movie made in 2023, it arrives with two strikes against it. One would expect a certain level of creative committee-mandated monotony regardless of how one feels about the first movie. However, the makers of “Shazam!” toned down both the cynicism and sentimentality that have come to define lighthearted superhero movies. “Shazam! Fury of the Gods” meanders further in that direction.

The first “Shazam!” focused mostly on two adolescent pipsqueaks, Billy Batson (Asher Angel) and Freddy Freeman (Jack Dylan Grazer), who get sucked into a generic fantasy with some assistance from their extended family of orphan buddies. “Shazam! Fury of the Gods” mostly sticks to the comic book formula that the first movie poked fun at, despite another strong comedic performance from star Zachary Levi and some sporadic yuks throughout. It’s schtickier and less assured than the first “Shazam!” but these leftovers still reheat well enough.

In “Shazam! Fury of the Gods,” Billy, Freddy, and their foster family members return to fight the latest vengeful dangling plot thread, this time a trio of vindictive sorceresses called the Daughters of Atlas, led by Hespera (Helen Mirren) and Kalypso (Lucy Liu), who want to avenge their father, Atlas (not in this picture). Billy’s anxieties speak loudest for the “Marvel Family,” as comics fans know them, a convivial group of tweens whom, after yelling the magic word “Shazam,” are granted godlike superpowers.

Levi, who plays Billy’s alter-ego Shazam (also known as Captain Marvel), and Adam Brody, who plays “Super Freddy” (AKA Captain Marvel Jr.), both stand out as adolescents struggling with thankless grown-up feelings and responsibilities. The movie’s adult villains don’t stand out, though Mirren still smirks like a champ.

Throughout “Shazam! Fury of the Gods,” there are signs of a warmer and cleverer adolescent super-drama. Clearly enunciated and frantically declaimed dialogue hints at Billy’s prevailing fear of “aging out of” his family, especially now that he’s about to turn 18 years old. His other family members also have lives to live, but we only catch glimpses of them whenever the plot stalls long enough to highlight likable but under-developed supporting characters.

“Shazam! Fury of the Gods” might have been better if it were more focused on both Billy and Freddy and their hormonal anxieties. Billy dreams of wooing Wonder Woman (in two scenes), and Freddy’s got a crush on new girl Anthea (Rachel Zegler, who sadly has no chemistry with Grazer). Billy keeps saying he’s all about family, but maybe he should focus on feuding with his surrogate brother and wrestling with his super-ego? That worked before, so why not an encore?

Most of the big emotional moments lack cornball vigor, though Levi still takes all the extra room he’s given to create a goofy character who, like an actual teenager, doesn’t have a filter or an indoor voice. This makes up for some things, especially in a movie where the big action scenes mostly sit there, and the gags need to be both sped up and punched up.

In conclusion, "Shazam! Fury of the Gods" may not break new ground in the superhero genre or offer a particularly unique plot, but it still manages to entertain and delight with its charismatic cast and enjoyable humor. While some of the emotional moments may fall flat and the action scenes could have used more energy, the movie's focus on family and the relatable teenage anxieties of its main characters make it a fun and worthwhile watch.

Overall, while it may not be a cinematic masterpiece, "Shazam! Fury of the Gods" is still a worthy addition to the superhero movie canon.