Whether your familiar with the behind-the-scenes problems with DC and Warner Bros. Discovery or not, there are still some fun superhero films that they have to release before they shift universes and reboot themselves yet again. Saying that, it is nice to see a sequel to Shazam!, which was a more light-hearted and quirkier superhero film that reimagined the concept of the film Big, the Tom Hanks film, but with a superhero twist. Zachary Levi and Asher Angel played the older and younger version of Billy Batson who was gifted the power of the Gods, with Billy uttering the word in order to turn into an adult caped crusader. Billy Batson returns centre stage with his Shazam family (or Shazamily?), as they team up and battle new enemies.
In a refreshing change from other superhero films, Shazam! Fury of the Gods forgoes it’s comic book routes in favour of a new story than revolves around villains not seen in his comic book rogues gallery. Instead we have some original villains based on some “Old Gods” with Helen Mirren, Lucy Lui and Rachel Zegler playing Hespera, Kalypso and Anthea, the Daughters of Atlas who wish to regain their powers of their father from Shazam and the Wizard who gave it to him. Unfortunately this film has the usual common tropes that this genre usually goes for with an item that everyone needs which in this case is the staff, along with some CGI-heavy action sequences and also a selection of secondary villains which don’t really add much to the story except for maybe the weird mythological spin on the Unicorn. You have to see it to understand it.
Considering all the short-givings, Shazam! Fury of the Gods is good fun and the heart of the film is still there as the majority of the cast have returned from the previous film who make up Billy’s new family. Some highlights include Jack Dylan Grazer’s Freddy and Anthea’s romance which blossoms at the start of the film and Anthea’s journey is probably the best of the villain's as she has more of a connection with humanity. The powers she possess are unique and display some new and interesting visuals that hasn't been seen before as she literally shifts the world around her. Rachel Zegler is inspired casting as she has a world-weary sorrow to her character despite her youthful appearance. Asher Angel’s version of Billy Batson also provides a lot of the heart as he struggles to hold his family together as he fears of losing them, despite the first film exploring his journey to connect with them. The character development for these two characters are the best, the others though sadly lack any other form of development.
Zachary Levi’s version of Billy Batson provides more of the comedy and light-heartedness and almost takes us out of the experience as he lacks any sense of urgency of how bad things get around him when it comes to the stakes of the film. It is a shame though as he is the leader of this group and he should have a sense of authority and yet his child-like demeanour threatens any credibility of him ever becoming a hero the likes of Batman or Superman. By the end of the film you are left not knowing how this story will progress, if it ever will progress again, and the world-building this film creates feels rather unnecessary as a result. It’s a very contained story and doesn’t really stand among more cultural superhero films like Black Panther or Wonder Woman, instead we are treated to a sequel which feels fun but sadly forgetful, something most superhero sequels tend to do. It is a shame as the first film managed to feel distinctive enough amongst the pantheon of other caped crusaders.
★★★☆☆
3/5
Final Verdict:
Shazam! Fury of the Gods is a bloated film that crams together a lot of effects, a lot of action and a lot of characters. There’s not enough room for everyone to breathe, but luckily we are treated to a few interesting characters and I do believe Rachel Zegler has a bright future ahead largely due to her character’s story being one of the most immersive, bringing us into this world almost to the point that we are rooting for her. Helen Mirren and Lucy Lui are clearly having fun and more or less what all this film is - its good old-fashioned fun. I do believe it has been mismarketed as it doesn’t deserve the hate it is currently getting, and maybe upon reflection in a few years time it be could be remembered more fondly but in this currently crowded superhero landscape this is one sequel that doesn’t really take flight.
Thanks for reading today’s blog!
Alex Murray, the Head of Eyesight Productions
Comments