Reviews are now out for the sequel to the DC Comics adaptation “Shazam”. Titled “Shazam! Fury of the Gods,” it marks the first of four DC adaptations on the way this year.
With 44 reviews counted, the film currently stands at a mixed 68% (6.3/10) on Rotten Tomatoes, well behind its very well-regarded predecessor with 90% (7.3/10).
The film continues the story of teenage Billy Batson (Asher Angel) who, upon reciting the magic word ‘SHAZAM!,’ is transformed into his adult Super Hero alter ego, Shazam (Zachary Levi) who defeated Sivana and the Seven Deadly Sins in the first film.
Bestowed with the powers of the gods, Billy and his fellow foster kids are still learning how to juggle teenage life with having adult Super Hero alter-egos.
But when the vengeful ancient gods known as the Daughters of Atlas, including Hespera (Helen Mirren) and Kalypso (Lucy Liu), arrive on Earth in search of the magic stolen from them long ago – the family are thrust into a battle for their superpowers, their lives, and the fate of their world.
Check out a sampling of review quotes below:
“While “Shazam! Fury of the Gods” doesn’t entirely recapture the giddy fun of the first film, its humor, sweetness, and delightfully human heroes remaining bright spots in a genre too often obsessed with the dark and the gritty.” – Kate Erbland, Indiewire
“I have to say that we don’t entirely break free of the superhero-movie template, but Shazam two has a just-out-of-the-fridge orange juice taste that makes it likable.” – Pete Bradshaw, The Guardian
“This follow-up lacks much of the appeal of its predecessor. While the film provides the elaborate action set pieces, colorful villains and save-the-world plot mechanics expected of the comic book movie genre, some of the magic is missing.” – Frank Scheck, THR
“Fury of the Gods lands in the frustrating middle: a film that isn’t without promise, but feels far too messy and corporatised to have any real affection for.” – Clarisse Loughrey, The Independent
“Shazam! Fury of the Gods fairly panders to the under-13 set. But Levi still works his chatterbox charm, and the movie maintains an appealingly easy-breezy tone (aside from the occasional impaling).” – Rafer Guzman, Newsday
“Employing the same mix of humor and heart, but really amping up the super-heroics as it were, this second edition bodes well for its future in the uncertain DC Universe, at least in terms of delivering on what finicky fans expect.” – Pete Hammond, Deadline
“The best parts of this new movie are drowned out by pointless CGI monsters and tedious action sequences.” – William Bibbiani, The Wrap
“May be a shoddily made Skittles ad masquerading as a superhero riff, but it’s Levi’s performance that sends it into the stratosphere of cringe. Here’s hoping this is not only Shazam’s last outing but the nail in the coffin of the smarmy superhero as well.” – Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service
“In terms of representation, you couldn’t ask for more. And that’s just as well, because in terms of entertainment, you could barely get less.” – Robbie Collin, The Daily Telegraph
“Between a sequence that feels like a direct Skittles commercial, and a pandering attempt to bring another hero into this film, Fury of the Gods will likely leave you rolling your eyes more than it’ll have you cheering or laughing.” – Ross Bonaime, Collider
“Shazam! Fury of the Gods” opens in cinemas this Friday March 17th.
