Shazam 2 is absolutely stunning and does not deserve the hate from critics

Shazam 2 is an absolutely incredible sequel to 2019’s sleeper hit, so don’t let the critics of the film scare you away. 

The Shazamily is finally back and we couldn’t be happier with the heroes’ return to the big screen. In the highly anticipated sequel to 2019’s sleeper hit, the Shazam Family are thrust into a battle for their superpowers, their lives, and the fate of their world.

While there is a lot of uncertainty about the future of the DC cinematic universe and what might be next for the franchise’s existing heroes, one thing that is certain with Shazam! Fury of the Gods is that the writers managed to achieve a feat that few franchises have been able to achieve: delivering a sequel that manages to live up to the expectations of the original film and elevate the story in an exciting new way!

What is Shazam 2 about?

Shazam! Fury of the Gods picks up sometime after the events of 2019’s Shazam! as the adventure continues with the Shazamily facing a brand new trio of foes in the Daughters of Atlas. Here’s what you can expect from the sequel to the film according to the synopsis from Warner Bros. Pictures:

"This insanely action-packed Super Hero sequel brings even more excitement, adventure and comedy, along with all-new realms, bigger threats, monsters and mythical creatures to our heroes. Now fully bestowed with the powers of the gods, Billy Batson and his fellow foster kids are still learning how to juggle teenage life with having adult Super Hero alter egos. But when the Daughters of Atlas, a vengeful trio of ancient gods, arrive on Earth in search of the magic stolen from them long ago, Billy—aka Shazam—and his family are thrust into a battle for their superpowers, their lives, and the fate of their world. But can a bunch of teenagers actually save the day? Does Billy even want to…?"

Warning spoilers ahead for Shazam! Fury of the Gods.

Shazam 2 review: Is Shazam 2 good?

Shazam 2 is an absolute delight of a movie that manages to capture the fun and excitement of superhero stories while delivering the qualities that helped fans fall in love with the characters from their original introduction. From start to finish, this film is packed with heart, humor, and thrilling action that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Zachary Levi is absolutely perfect as the titular hero, again bringing a sense of wonder and childlike enthusiasm to the role that is infectious. The young cast, including Asher Angel as Billy Batson and Jack Dylan Grazer as his best friend Freddy, are equally fantastic, bringing depth and nuance to their performances that make you care deeply about their characters.

But beyond the excellent acting, what really sets Shazam! Fury of the Gods apart is its ability to balance humor and heart. This is a film that knows when to be silly and when to be serious, and it manages to do both with equal skill. The humor is often laugh-out-loud funny, with plenty of clever jokes and meta references that will delight fans of the genre — including an incredible nod to the character’s complicated comic book origins when it comes to how he got his superhero name. At the same time, the film never loses sight of the emotional stakes at play, and it delivers some genuinely touching moments that will tug at your heartstrings with a focus on family and Billy’s struggle to fit in knowing he’s approaching 18 and about to age out of the system.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a superhero movie without some thrilling action sequences, and Shazam 2 certainly delivers on that front as well. From epic battles with supervillains to smaller-scale conflicts between friends and family, the film is packed with thrilling moments that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

The film’s cast is elevated even further with the additions of Helen Mirren, Lucy Liu, and Rachel Zegler who join the franchise as the foils to the film’s heroes in the roles of Hespera, Kalypso, and  Anthea, respectively. The trio’s characters are so layered, which helps to elevate them from becoming one-toned villains who serve no other purpose than to be the foil to the film’s heroes. In fact, we guarantee fans aren’t likely to predict where each of their journeys takes them across the film!

Overall, Shazam! Fury of the Gods is a fantastic movie that is not to be missed. It’s a fun, heartwarming, and action-packed adventure that will leave you with a huge grin on your face. Whether you’re a diehard superhero fan or just looking for a great movie to watch with the family, this one is definitely worth checking out.

Shazam 2 ending explained (Gal Gadot Shazam cameo explained)

The point of marketing a film is to get audiences excited, but in a way that pulls them in and doesn’t absolutely spoil some of the biggest plot lines of the film’s closing arc. Sadly, the latter is what occurs with Shazam 2 as Warner Bros. ended up completely spoiling what would have been an epic ending to the film by dropping a promo featuring a key moment from the film’s closing act.

During the final battle in the film, Billy ends up sacrificing himself to save his family and the world in order to put an end to Kalypso’s reign of terror and attack on the city of Philadelphia. After Billy is killed during battle, he’s laid to rest at the home of the gods after dying a hero’s death and showing the world he wasn’t just a superhero but a true example of a god.

As Freddy and the rest of the gang ask the Wizard whether there is any way to restore the staff’s powers and get their abilities back, he tells the group its powers can only be restored by a god and there are none left. This is when Wonder Woman herself appears to swoop in and save the day, using her abilities to restore the staff’s powers and bringing Billy back to life in the process.

It’s a truly epic moment and one that would have surely left audiences shocked had Warner Bros. not spoiled the cameo during its final ad spot. Check out the spot below:

While the promo might not have given context to Wonder Woman’s cameo, its inclusion in the promo took the wind out of the film’s sails as audiences knew to expect her arrival and could easily put two and two together when the set up to the moment began.

Had Warner Bros. excluded Gal Gadot’s cameo from the promo, it could have created a truly unforgettable moment in the film in ending with the surprise appearance. Instead, it attempted to use her involvement to hype up the film which ultimately ruined the surprise in the process. This isn’t to discount how amazing it was seeing Gadot back as Wonder Woman, we just wish Warner Bros. would have allowed the moment to be kept under wraps which would have made its impact that much greater.