we meet again the funny superhero with imposter syndrome. Let’s see (without spoilers) what Shazam! The Fury of the Gods brings us.
Billy Batson and his fellow adoptees have been given the powers of the gods but they are still learning to balance their teenage lives with their alter egos of Superheroes. But when the Daughters of Atlas, a vengeful trio of ancient gods, come to Earth in search of magic stolen from them long ago, Billy, as Shazam, and his family find themselves embroiled in a battle for their superpowers, their lives and the fate of their world.
Well, the fact is that, foolishly, I’ve been enjoying a lot of movies in the cinema for a few weeks, a priori, “lazy”. I think the secret is not to expect from them more than what they offer us, that is, do not get wrong ideas of what they are going to show us… not wanting to see the movie that we have imagined but the one that the director and the scriptwriter have thought of.
And that’s what happens with Shazam! The Fury of the Gods. Not every movie has to be “Citizen Kane,” and not every superhero movie has to be a dramatic epic with a thick story. Not at all. There must also be those well-made, well-narrated and well-acted action movies, but light. Movies to pass the time but, after all, good movies in their category. And that’s what happens with Shazam! The Fury of the Gods.
Shazam’s personal and family issues
The first film was a more than pleasant surprise: a light but well-carried comedy, respecting the character from the comics but, at the same time, giving it a new, fresher air. AND this sequel continues in the same vein. It is true that the villains are too archetypal and predictable, that the story is not complex at all, but Shazam! The Fury of the Gods does not play that, but to entertain us and have fun and even get excited!
We are not going to have many surprises in this film (beyond the two post-credit scenes and a cameo that could be very relevant in the future… if Warner/DC wants), but the plot will keep us glued to the seat as soon as we get carried away.
If we add to this that the story is carried out with a very good hand by the director David F. Sandberg (responsible for Never turn off the light, Annabel: creation or the previous installment of our character, of course) and written by Henry Gayden (! Shazam!), Chris Morgan (writer of several Fast & furious installments) and Bill Parker (Shazam!) with a very good rhythm we will have a film that will make us spend two hours in a very pleasant way.
Shazam! The Fury of the Gods: ridiculous, funny and brilliant
Outside Zachary Levi, the undisputed protagonistJack Dylan Grazer as Freddy Freeman has been given a lot more screen time (and I think it’s a good idea) in this installment: his comic vis mixed with drama (which he surpasses with intelligent humor) is very refreshing and one of the best points of the film, although I think his best moments are when we see him teaming up with the magician (Djimon Hounsou). Of course his is the best bowfor interest and for well written.
Grazer is a good example of what happens in the movie, and that I think is entirely on purpose: child actors (and their characters) stand out more than their adult counterparts (always with the exception of Billy, of course).
And I say that it must be intentional because let’s not forget that this film (and the previous one, of course) is about kids with superpowers, boys and girls who are suddenly capable of working wonders… but who they do not stop being children despite their adult form, and that they act like children be it fighting, talking to other heroes or villains or even thinking of new strategies against the enemy, treats included.
Of course, they can not miss great action sequencessequences that work very well and, as should happen in a sequel of this type, everything we saw in the first one is here augmented, such as a horde of beasts from Greek mythology (with nods to Harryhausen’s designs included). , which is always good, as well as a curious reinterpretation of unicorns.
Really I don’t know what will happen to Shazam in the future of the DC Universe. Gunn has said that he wants to keep Levi for other projects, and the door is left open with one of the post-credits scenes and the cameo he was talking about earlier. Hopefully, from now on, there will be a line that brings together the different movies (and series?) of the UDC, whether they are dramas or comedies. We want to enjoy both, and DC has a lot to offer.
Shazam! The Fury of the Gods stars: Zachary Levi like Shazam; Asher Angel as Billy Batson; Jack Dylan Grazer as Freddy Freeman; Adam Brody as the Superhero Freddy; Ross Butler as the superhero Eugene; Meagan Good as the Superhero Darla; D.J. Cotrona as the Superhero Pedro; Grace Caroline Currey as Mary Bromfield / Superhero Mary; Faith Herman as Darla Dudley; Ian Chen as Eugene Choi; Jovan Armand like Pedro Pena; Martha Milans like Rosa Vasquez; Cooper Andrews like Victor Vasquez; with Djimon Hounsou like Wizard.
Shazam! The Fury of the Gods, a film directed by David F. Sandberg that with will premiere in Spain on March 17, 2023.
