Review: 'Shazam! Fury of the Gods' breathes life back into the superhero genre with fun, humor & emotions

Shazam! Fury of the Gods

The fun, frolic and fights that Marvel was usually known for and has been missing for a while now; and DC isn't usually known for but changed the game with Shazam! (2019) is now back with a sequel. Crazier, bigger and absolutely bananas is probably what describes Shazam! Fury of the Gods best when it comes to the outset. But is it more than that? Having had the chance to see the film beforehand, here is what I thought about it-

The Goofiness & Charm

Zachary Levi's comic timing is impeccable as was seen in the first Shazam and that is at full display here yet again as he is still goofy, self-deprecating but an extremely charming and adorable superhero. However, this time, it isn't just Levi as Shazam! but the rest of the Vasquez foster family as well where they have superpowers and adult versions of their own. The writing for the adult superhero versions of each of them is also done well where the traits of the younger ones transpires into the elder ones while maintaining the swagger of being a superhero and innocence of being a growing kid. Let's just say, the foster setting that the Vasquez family has - would be a dream for any actual foster children out there - and then you get to be a superhero too, so double bonus! Jack Dylan Grazer as Freddy gets a more central role with a new angle as well and the actor is fantastic with it.

Just Some Good Old Fun

Shazam! Fury of the Gods is yet another reminder how it isn't imperative for every superhero movie to be path-breaking or mind-bending - it can still be innovative yet nostalgic and just some kickass old-school fun. The film and the exploration of the daughters of the Atlas isn't a supremely intriguing plot development but the screenplay, multiple action pieces, truckload of good CGI ensures that it doesn't need any specific intrigue but still be engaging and entertaining.

The sequel relies majorly on emotions of being and having a family, where it is 'all or none'. This might seem overwhelming but it lands almost everytime owing to the superb chemistry that these foster brothers and sisters share with each other. It shouldn't be misunderstood that Shazam! Fury of the Gods doesn't go big - it absolutely does. The stakes, scale and carnage is absolutely bananas and almost too much but fortunately, it is still insane fun, 

The Daughters Do Their Job

The addition of legends like Helen Mirren and Lucy Liu was alluring and watching them in the trailer was better. When it comes to the film, that feeling is multiplied by several folds. As the daughters of the Atlas, Mirren and Liu are given two entirely different personalities and often clash with each other as well. But both veterans are experienced and smart to give their best and they shine. Having powerful villains is always what a good superhero film needs and Shazam! Fury of the Gods has that in the best way possible.

Breath of Fresh Air and Setting Things Ahead

Considering how dismal several recent Marvel films have been and even DC's Black Adam being underwhelming, Shazam! Fury of the Gods almost feels like breathing life back into the genre. After a tedious time with rehashed superhero films recently, this wild ride is all kinds of fun, laughter, and emotion that you need from a film like this.

One of the biggest selling points of Shazam! was the tongue-in-cheek humor and witty one-liners. The humor isn't lost in the sequel in any way and in fact, gotten better. One of the most hilarious sequences arrive when Mirren's character of Hespera is reading a letter sent by Billy/Shazam! challenging her but because it is written by a magical pen, whatever Billy is casually saying to the others also makes its way into the letter. And Mirren and Liu's deadpan reaction to that makes it even funnier.

The Verdict

This fun ride at the movies is just what you needed to feel good again about superhero films and this sequel provides that in abundance. Add to that, a couple of fantastic end-credits and post-credits scene and a whistle-worthy cameo, things only got better and better for this fun roller-coaster ride. After being invested in Billy/Shazam! for two movies, we are definitely looking forward to a third one.

Rating - ***1/2 (3.5/5)