REVIEW: SHAZAM! - FURY OF THE GODS

3/5

Gods and Metahumans.

130 Mins. Starring: Zachary Levi, Asher Angel, Jack Dylan Grazer, Rachel Zegler, Adam Brody, Ross Butler, Meagan Good, Grace Caroline Currey, D.J. Cotrona, Jovan Armand, Ian Chen, Faithe Herman, Marta Milans, Cooper Andrews, Rizwan Manji, Diedrich Bader, Lucy Liu, Djimon Hounsou & Helen Mirren. Director: David F. Sandberg. 

Say 'SHAZAM!' whilst you still can. Just in case this DC project gets shot out the cannon by Gunn and the new Detective Comics initiative. Guardian of the post Snyderverse galaxy, James has expressed an interest in retaining the rights to 'Chuck' star Zachary Levi's 'Big' kid Shazam with an exclamation point. And one of two teasing post-credit scenes we won't spoil points to that with sparkle loaded finger guns. But 'Lights Out' and 'Annabelle: Creation' director David F. Sandberg, going from horror to hallmark, says this all depends on how well is force of a 'Fury Of The Gods' sequel is received. We don't want 'Shazam' to be beat like a genius Jamie Foxx game show idea. 

Right now, it sits on the tomato steady throne of mixed reviews and a loss at the box-office. The 2019 origin story was a fresh and fun sleeper hit for the dark DCEU, much like James Gunn's fun-filled 'Guardians Of The Galaxy' was for the M.C.U. Reminding us that superheroes really are for big kids after all. Even if they are no longer pushing 40 (hello), but instead propping it up (see you soon, old friend). It even had a Superman cameo for your lunch box. Albeit from the neckline down (you can trust, you won't have that disappoint this time out. But did Eminem just spoil it for us all?). Still, even when The Rock was cooking for last fall's long-awaited 'Black Adam' (which even featured a real deal Henry Cavill cameo), the franchise starter was canned a week after release. Peep a dust-up Easter Egg tribute here by the bolt. Now, furious fans that are all about family like a fast one, hope the God's don't have the same fate for this one by the time you finish reading this review. 

Ever since Asher Angel's Billy Batson touched 'G.O.T.G' star Djimon Hounsou's (somehow back, but warmly welcome) staff (still) gross and became the man-child of Solomon, Hercules, Atlas, Zeus, Achilles and Mercury by the acronym, we knew we had the makings of a formidable franchise that offset 'Suicide Squad' darkness like the freshwater of 'Aquaman'. Levi was an all-American hero like blue jeans. And his best friend Jack Dylan Grazer, using comedy as a crutch, was his wise-cracking partner in crime like 'The O.C.'s' Adam Brody as the  "Captain Everypower" to the original Captain Marvel. And when the whole foster family laid their hands on Shazam's...OK, I'll stop...you just knew this series was serious. As every emotion of fond feeling poured out unashamedly like the time Arnie revealed to his son that he was a toy and Turboman in the Christmas classic 'Jingle All The Way'.

Child actor to big kid double-duty. Ross Butler and Ian Chen game as Eugene Choi. D.J. Cotrona and Jovan Armand as Pedro Peña, coming out of his closeted shyness. The famous Meagan Good and scene-stealing Faithe Herman telling you to taste the rainbow for all the Skittles. And actress and dancer Grace Caroline Currey replacing Michelle Borth from the first film with grace as both big-sister and big hero Mary Bromfield. All loved unconditionally by the heart-warming couple of Cooper Andrews and Martha Milan, fostering a mystery machine like van. 

There's even a shrugging pen here who's quite the character like Peter Quill...but he looks more like a Steve. Love is on the cards this time out too with 'West Side Story' star Rachel Zegler, continuing her breakout with some more movie magic as she now becomes a familiar face and Hollywood household name. But getting stuffed in lockers and being late for class isn't the only problems our pre-pubescent heroes face in the growing pain of this sequel. How about some formidable foes and some CGI carnage that throws God's, monster and unicorns (oh my!) at you?! All towards a stadium-filling finale in the Phillies' ballpark that really flies like Magneto heading for home in the 'X-Men: Days Of Future Past' super sequel. 

After Mark Strong armed up a formidable foe in 'SHAZAM!', the 'Red' of 'Fast and Furious' star and all those prestige pictures Dame Helen Mirren is more than a Queen, or a living legend...she's a God. Playing this all up perfectly alongside a forever young 'Charlie's Angel' in the form of 'Kill Bill' star Lucy Liu owning everything. It's so good to have her back. If that wasn't enough, we have Ray from 'Schitt's Creek' Rizwan Manji up in this, reprising his DC role after the 'Peacemaker' series with his 'Schitt' shtick. Much like another voice of Batman and Bruce Wayne like the late, great Kevin Conroy with Diedrich Bader's kind-hearted teacher. In the City of Brotherly Love, will there be Justice for 'Shazam'? Only time will tell if the Tree of Life, becomes a rock of DC eternity. One thing's for sure, even if sometimes it feels a little forced, a third time would still be the charm. We'd be there for 'SHAZAM! 3' like a lightning bolt. Just say the word. TIM DAVID HARVEY. 

Further Filming: 'SHAZAM!', 'Black Adam', 'Wonder Woman'.