SHAZAM FURY OF THE GODS

 

Dame Helen Mirren, Lucy Liu and Rachel Z are all stealing the show in the latest chapter of Shazam! Fury of the Gods, giving the younger actors a run for their money. This time around, the gang takes their newfound powers for a spin against three Greek goddesses, Anthea, Kalypso, and Hespera, who are determined to conquer Earth. The grudge that Atlas’ daughters hold against the family of teen superheroes and the wizard Djimon Hounsou sets the stage for plenty of dragon fighting and flying scenes that make up a good portion of the film. However, their plan to overtake Billy’s realm feels a little complex.

Despite this, the A+ all-star cast made the movie worth watching. Zachary Levi is consistently charming, tapping into his inner child to play Billy, and his performance is rock solid. What really stood out to me, though, was the fact that the young cast and their more mature counterparts included women of every age, ethnicity, and skill level.

It was refreshing to see that the trio of Greek goddesses weren't all blonde, blue-eyed, and lacking in diversity. Instead, they were led by Dame Helen Mirren, whose steely-eyed presence and vocal command made me want to see a spin-off featuring her kicking butts and taking names.

Director David F. Sandberg does an excellent job of weaving big laughs and dragon scenes into the movie, while also giving the foster siblings time to speak up and show off their skills. And let's not forget the tender yet terrifying fear of Billy's turning 18 that looms over the film.

Rachel Zegler, one of the new additions to the franchise, solidifies her star power in this movie. Her cinematic, beguiling presence proves that her success in Steven Spielberg's West Side Story was no fluke.

The costumes, production design, and CGI department really outdid themselves on this one, making Shazam! Fury of the Gods a lot of fun for the whole family this spring.