.jpg "movie review")
Thank you to Warner Bros Pictures for inviting me to an advance screening of their newest DC Comics inspired superhero flick, SHAZAM: FURY OF THE GODS before it flies into movie theatres on March 17th. This sequel to 2019's SHAZAM! is rated PG-13 by the Motion Picture Association of America for sequences of action, language and violence. From a dad's perspective this movie seems fitting to go see for most mid-elementary school aged kids up to middle aged geek dads like me. Parents beware though that there are some murder and other death scenes that may be traumatic for young viewers and swearing including a "Motherf*ck#r" shoutout at a pivotal moment in the movie. Just a heads up!
SHAZAM: FURY OF THE GODS is a high-flying superhero action flick. In fact, I think there were more scenes of the film's heroes flying through the sky than in any other recent comic book themed movie that I can remember. Flying is one of the key powers of the character who has been attributed with characteristics of ancient gods and heroes from Mediterranean lore:
S - Wisdom of Solomon allows him to speak any language & guides him with a moral compass.
H - Strength of Hercules provides muscle power equivalent to Superman or Wonder Woman.
A - Stamina of Atlas gives extraordinary endurance against damage from physical attacks.
Z - Power of Zeus grants electrokinesis to generate and control lightning.
A - Courage of Achilles gives an edge to overcoming fear.
M - Speed of Mercury allows for superhuman movement including flying.
What would it be like to have the powers of S.H.A.Z.A.M. and be able to soar through the air? In addition to attending an advance screening of this new action-adventure film, my kids and I had the chance to participate in a Warner Bros. Pictures event that let us fly like SHAZAM! We had a super time at iFLY Detroit which let us experience skydiving in a state-of-the-art indoor wind tunnel.
We also had a super time watching SHAZAM! FURY OF THE GODS. It is great show for grabbing a bunch of snacks, like a movie theatre-sized box of Skittles or a big bucket of popcorn, kicking back in your seat and enjoying some Hollywood cinematic escapism. Laugh at the jokes, cheer on the heroes, and you may even shed some tears too. No spoilers though in this review.
SHAZAM! FURY OF THE GODS is a fun, zany movie. I really enjoyed it! Especially because it shoots a lot of good-humored jokes at Marvel including tossing to the wind copyright and trademark concerns in one scene calling the hero by his original name ... Captain Marvel.
A high energy flick if you go into the movie appreciating it for what it is, an adaption of comic book stories originally written for kids, you'll find yourself entertained by a satisfying escape from reality. What kid hasn't dreamed of being a superhero with extraordinary abilities and SHAZAM! is that child who suddenly finds himself thrust into greatness. SHAZAM! FURY OF THE GODS earns a Geek Daddy nod of approval for being worthy of a family outing to the movie theatre. Plus, I loved the mythological creatures and some other cameos featured in the film.
The only gripe I really had with the movie is that it portrays Billy Batson, the kid who transforms into the adult superhero SHAZAM!, as an 18 year old getting ready to face actually becoming a grown up. In the comics this character is normally depicted as a 12 to 16 year old to contrast the immaturity of his normal persona compared to the more mature superhero identity. Zachary Levi who plays the SHAZAM! role acts more like a young teenager than a boy on the verge of manhood as we see Billy Batson in the film played by Asher Angel.
If the film showed Billy at a younger age than Levi's performance would have made more sense as he acts like a kid in a man's body. Of course, being that more then three years has passed since the first SHAZAM! movie was released it is understandable why it took this approach to the character. If another movie comes out with this same cast, it will be interesting how this age issue is addressed as having the boy transform into SHAZAM is a big aspect of the character.
Directed by David Sandberg, SHAZAM! FURY OF THE GODS has a running time of 2 hours and 10 minutes. Plus make sure to stay for a mid-credits scene you won't want to miss. The film's cast includes Levi (SHAZAM!), Angel (Billy Batson), Jake Dylon Glazer (Freddy Freeman), Adam Brody (Super Hero Freddy), Helen Mirren (Hespera), Lucy Liu (Kalypso) and Djimon Hounsou as The Wizard.
Bestowed with the powers of the gods, Billy Batson and his fellow foster kids are still learning how to juggle teenage life with their adult superhero alter egos. 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.
For more information about the film, visit dc.com/shazam
