It's been four years since "Shazam!" hit the big screen to introduce lots of lighting and shouting a certain magic word, and at the end of the first film we didn't get just one new superhero in Billy Batson - but a whole bunch of them as the kid shared his powers with his foster family and collectively became known as the Shazam Family! That film was definitely a DC movie unlike any other, and traded the seriousness and dark atmosphere of the DCEU for something more grounded and family oriented that worked to the character's strengths while providing a hearty serving of jokes and adventure that ensured viewers it was all about the fun and not taking things seriously at all.
With the first film proving to be a Box Office success, a sequel was inevitable and now it has arrived after long delays and a pandemic to navigate through. Shazam: Fury of the Gods is finally showing in theaters - and I got the chance to see the film in all its magical glory and silly heroics on IMAX thanks to the folks at Warner Bros. Philippines and SM Cinema! There was lots of fun, cosplay, and definitely an atmosphere full of energy! Was it worth the wait and does it live up to its predecessor? Check out the review below and of course here's your SPOILER WARNING in case you want to see it wit fresh eyes!
SHAZAM! FURY OF THE GODS - Official Trailer 2
Set a couple of years after the events of the first film, Billy Batson and his foster family are living their lives together as a loving caring unit while also secretly helping their fellowmen as superheroes who are gifted with magical powers by saying out loud the word "SHAZAM!".
In the aftermath of their victory and saving their world however they face a new threat - the daughters of Atlas who are determined to take back a magical artifact that will help restore their realm. With a lot of lives at stake and everything he knows and loves in danger, Billy and his friends have to grow up and become true heroes in order to use their gifts to defeat actual Gods bent on destruction.
Featuring the return of Zachary Levi and Asher Angel as Billy Batson/ Shazam, the first film's entire cast reprise their roles and take on the trio of Hellen Mirren, Lucy Liu, and Rachel Zegler as the daughters of Atlas. The latter three play very convincing sisters - each with their own personalities and agendas that clash as they interact with the Shazam family and see to it that their mission succeeds. It's great to see the Shazam kids and their adult alter egos get more screen time as well, as Freddie, Mary, and the rest of Billy's foster family play on each others personalities and come together to face whatever comes as "All or None" and as a unit of superheroes.
Unlike the darker and more serious offerings that the DC Extended Universe has offered, the Shazam films are a breath of fresh air and Fury of the Gods plays on the strengths of the first film by riding on all the jokes and kid antics that only Shazam and his family can offer. It's literally a kid inside an adult superhero's body who has the powers of a god - and this time he learns first hand what it means to be a true hero when the threat literally comes from the realm of gods. Plus there's lots of monsters and a giant dragon to fight too.
If anything, Shazam: Fury of the Gods doesn't offer anything new to the plate that hasn't been seen in past superhero films - but the chemistry and energy you feel from seeing Zachary Levi and the rest having fun and not taking things seriously is definitely entertaining. It's a no brainer popcorn superhero flick, and kids, adults, and the whole family can have fun watching this while also being treated to a lot of jokes and surprises. Be sure to stay all the way to the end for two post-credits scenes too!
Shazam: Fury of the Gods is now showing in theaters!
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