“Shazam! Fury of the Gods,” starring Zachary Levi, Helen Mirren, and Lucy Liu, was released in theaters on March 17.
It is charming with a retro ’90s vibe to it. The action sequences and the humor in this sequel stand out by a mile. It continues the story of teenage Billy Batson who, upon reciting the magic word “Shazam!” is transformed into his adult superhero alter ego, Shazam.
David F. Sandberg, who also directed its compelling predecessor, excelled with this film’s direction because he was able to balance the different elements to maximize the joyful moviegoing experience despite a somewhat muddled plot.
Zachary Levi steals every scene is in as Shazam, while Helen Mirren and Lucy Liu are noteworthy in their diverse roles as the nefarious demi-god Hespera and Kalypso respectively.
The young actors in the cast were all promising, which include Asher Angel as Billy, Grace Caroline Currey as Mary, Ian Chen as Eugene, and Jovan Armand as Pedro. They all brought something unique to this gifted ensemble.
The only downside is that the film’s plot is not as well-developed as the original “Shazam!” film, and there is a plethora of CGI that can get redundant after a while.
Most importantly, it underscores such values as the importance of family and leading with love, especially when it comes to foster children. The social issues it touches on were timely and relevant.
The Verdict
Overall, there is no sophomore slump in this sequel. “Shazam! Fury of the Gods” is an engaging new superhero film. It is liberating and a great deal of fun without taking itself too seriously. It is the lighthearted escape that viewers didn’t know they needed this week. “Shazam! Fury of the Gods” garners a B rating.
