Between the DC comic book adaptation “Shazam!” and the sequel “Shazam! Fury Of The Gods” is not only four years away, but also economically speaking: the first action comedy starring Zachary Levi in the role of a nervous superhero raised more than three times, possibly even four times its budget of $ 367.7 million – depending on which cost estimate you believe. The sequel though? It fell to the ground faster than lightning:
The film cost between $110 and $125 million and grossed just over $133 million at the box office. Not exactly a lesson deserved for Warner and DC, but at least they got “Shazam 2.” firm 3 stars in the FILMSTARTS review. This doesn’t exactly scream a deserved cinema flop, but certainly sounds like a film that could be rediscovered at home. A few months after its home theater release, the fantasy adventure is now available for the first time as a streaming subscription: “Shazam 2” will be available on Sky streaming service WOW starting today, September 29, 2023.
Of course the film is also showing DVD*, Bluray*, 4K Bluray* and if RAG*. available from suppliers such as Amazon.
“Shazam 2”: More fantasy action with the chaotic (super) foster family
When nondescript teenager Billy Batson (Asher Angel) utters the magical word “Shazam!” says, he turns into an adult superhero (Zachary Levi). In this body full of superpowers, Billy channels all his otherwise introspective energy – always trying to save the day. His foster siblings Freddy (Jack Dylan Grazer), Mary (Grace Fulton), Pedro (Jovan Armand), Eugene (Ian Chen) and Darla (Faithe Herman) also transform into super beings on command, but they have yet to learn how to do it to deal with. deal with forces with them.
But they must gradually come together, because the titan daughters Hespera (Helen Mirren) and Kalypso (Lucy Liu) want revenge on humanity. And if that’s not stressful enough, Freddy keeps an eye on his new classmate Anne (Rachel Zegler), while Mary’s serious plans for the future plunge Billy into a crisis of meaning: will ‘Shazamily’ even be on the brink of extinction? when the supervillains fail?
As with the first film, the sequel “Shazam” was directed by the introverted David F. Sandberg, for whom making striking films is a similar outlet as the superhero identity embodied by Levi was for Billy Batson. It is the eccentric humor elements of “Shazam 2” that are particularly memorable. Whether it is Helen Mirren, who with stubborn seriousness reads out the stupidest letter of the film decade so far, or the clever dynamics within the foster family – in childish form or in super variant.
While the “excellent actors of the young and old versions of the characters” shine, author and DC expert Julius Vietzen isn’t the only critic in the FILMSTARTS review that “Shazam 2” has less heart than its predecessor. And The reduced emotionality simply cannot be accommodated by the use of “CGI thunderstorms with not entirely successful effects”.
At least the film ends with end credits scenes, which can continue harmoniously or be seen as solid, strange parodies of usual bonus scenes. You already know: here someone is being recruited, there someone is vowing to pursue a sinister plan – this time only with strong, shrill ‘Shazam’ humor. In any case, this takes care of all eventualities: if these characters somehow stay with us, the foundation for further adventures is laid, if you consistently press the reboot button at DC, it was just fun anyway.
Author: Sidney Schering
Source : Film Starts
I am Dawid Malan, a news reporter for 24 Instant News. I specialize in celebrity and entertainment news, writing stories that capture the attention of readers from all walks of life. My work has been featured in some of the world’s leading publications and I am passionate about delivering quality content to my readers.
