Shazam: Fury Of The Gods Movie Review : A family friendly entertainment that still packs a punch

When a vengeful trio of ancient gods arrives on Earth in search of the magic stolen from them long ago, Shazam and his allies get thrust into a battle for their superpowers, their lives, and the fate of the world. But it’s a fight of the unequals.

Review: It’s a pretty standard plot for a superhero film, but this sequel is relentless when it comes to providing high-octane action, adventure, and breathtakingly spectacular visual effects super show. So, we wouldn’t complain much about the story or the writing (by Henry Gayden and Chris Morgan) which is clearly drafted only to allow us a continuous supply of thrill with a dash of comedy. From start to end, this one’s high on hilarious comic punches that will make you more than chuckle on several occasions. The comedy is not slapstick but cleverly woven into the dialogue delivered with perfect comic timing. The visual effects, cinematography (by Gyula Pados), and stunts are top-notch. They are synchronised well within the comic book source material template keeping in mind all the Hollywood blockbuster sensibilities for the big screen. The result is a visually stunning and edge-of-your-seat thrill ride that seamlessly blends the live-action footage with the CGI elements.

Once again, Levi lends himself quite effortlessly to Billy’s vulnerability and hesitation to call himself a superhero because, by his own admission, he’s not all that macho and brooding. Yet, it’s not difficult to notice how the actor, despite being over-the-top and loud, has grown and matured into the role that now has a huge fanbase. Asher Angel also returns as the teenage Billy Batson, now a dapper young dude, who looks like he can be trusted with superpowers after all. Powerhouse performers like Dame Helen Mirren and Lucy Liu are made to look caricaturish in their outfits as sisters Hespera and Kalypso respectively. They try to tone down the theatrics but it’s still all too gimmicky that kind of blunts their viciousness as villains. Jack Dylan Grazer is a treat to watch as teenage Freddy and Rachel Zegler as Anthea. The Wonder Woman cameo by Gal Gadot was a bit underwhelming but still worth the wait.

In total, ‘Shazam! Fury of the Kings’ is a visually immersive supershow peppered with action, comedy, and an emotionally moving climax. If you’re looking for some family-friendly entertainment that still packs a punch, this is the perfect one!