Running time: 130 minutes
Starring: Zachary Levy, Asher Angel, Jack Dylan Grazer, Helen Mirren, Lucy Liu, Adam Brody, Rachel Zegler
Directed by: David F. Sandberg
The story: Billy Batson and his superhero siblings return to take on the vengeful sisters of Atlas.
The verdict: When reviewing a film, it can sometimes be tempting to follow the crowd. If the majority of other reviews dislike a film then you can begin to doubt yourself. Did I see the same film as everyone else? Am I missing something? Am I seeing something that’s not there? However, I have never let other reviews sway me and I have no intention of doing that now. I’m sure you can guess what this preamble is leading up to. And yes you’re correct - I loved Shazam! Fury of the Gods (hereafter Shazam 2).
The first film was a great surprise for me. I wasn’t expecting much and was won over by the comedic elements and fun characters. The second instalment follows suit and again this was a film in which I was smiling throughout.
One of the things I liked most about Shazam 2 was the addition of Helen Mirren and Lucy Liu. Firstly, their characters are drawn from Greek mythology which I absolutely love. Secondly, I really enjoyed seeing Mirren and Liu in roles like this. Make no mistake, these are cheesy, wink to the camera roles but that is exactly what Shazam 2 is all about. I think you either embrace it wholeheartedly and enjoy it or you let it annoy you - I was obviously the former.
Shazam 2 finds Billy at a bit of a crossroads. He has these amazing powers that he’s shared with his siblings but what exactly should they be doing with them? He’s also worried that they’re all growing apart as they grow up and their interests change. I liked that a large part of the film was about Billy’s fear of abandonment and how that might look if you also happened to be a superhero.
Shazam 2 is also about family. The superheroes are a family, the villains are a family and regardless of whether you’re a goodie or a baddie - family dynamics are hard.
Whilst Shazam 2 certainly has its issues and flaws. For example, at one point there was, for all intents and purposes, a Skittles commercial. I found so much more to like about it than to hate. I loved how a character coming out was handled, I loved the misdirection of a certain cameo and I loved the post credits scenes too.
Shazam 2 made me laugh and smile. It was a really engaging, easy and enjoyable watch and was great fun in the cinema. I vote for a sequel!
The rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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