Shazam! Fury of the Gods

The DCEU came to an end last year after a decade that saw some success but also more than a few disappointments so it's back to the drawing board for James Gunn and his team. One of the last three films to see as I round this out was Shazam! Fury of the Gods and it was one I felt very little desire to see having not been all that impressed with the first film, which was decent but quickly forgettable. Would a sequel make things any better?

Set in a world where Gotham and Metropolis exist, the story once again takes place around Philadelphia where the Shazam team are trying to protect their local citizens while keeping their superhero identity a secret from the foster parents. This time they find themselves pitted against the Greek mythological daughters of Atlas who plan to save their realm but any cost to the people of Earth. 

Trying to recall the story here took a few Google searches as this film drifts away from my memory but, to my surprise, this certainly wasn't all that bad and I dare I say I even found parts of it enjoyable with its light-hearted tone. Now the story is unshackled from having to explain Shazam's origins, returning director David F. Sandberg makes full use of his charismatic cast to give the film a fun energy that keeps enough momentum until the so-so CGI finale. It's here where I felt the two hour running time in a story that just doesn't have the stakes to be so long when a swift 90 minutes would do nicely.

I can't recommend this to anyone but die hard DC fans who wish to see every big screen adventure. For everyone else, this is a decent airplane film that will help to pass the time and is more enjoyable than say Black Adam but lacks the heart of The Flash to really make any kind of impression. Zachary Levi gives it his all in the leading role but sadly Shazam! Fury of the Gods will not be one any DC fans will shed a tear over when the next expanded universe paves over this.