The DC Extended Universe wasn’t very successful, but it had a handful of bright spots. One of them was Shazam!, which hit theaters in 2019. The film also presumably paved the way for potential crossovers with Henry Cavill’s Superman, The Rock’s Black Adam, and Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman, among several others.
But, now, it’s clear that Shazam! Fury of the Gods will stand on its own and the early reactions are a good sign.
To sum up the early reviews, Billy Batson’s latest adventure, which now features the rest of the Shazam! family, has the same heart and humor as the first film but with more and better CGI.
Here are some of the highlights of Shazam! Fury of the Gods:
SHAZAM FURY OF THE GODS is endearing, hilarious, entertaining and epic. Helen Mirren stands out as a great addition to Shazam's roster. Sandberg's film is just as engaging as the first, but here the stakes are upped. Huge twists galore, DC fans are going to love Shazam 2 #Shazam pic.twitter.com/nrNedK2xIu
— Ben Rolph / TheDCTVshow (@TheDCTVshow) March 7, 2023
Shazam continues to lean into his silliness and immaturity in this sequel which tells us this franchise will remain to keep these films funny, light and slapstick-ish. The sequel comes with more action, compelling villains and a complicated antihero. #ShazamFuryOfTheGods #Shazam2 pic.twitter.com/Po5J64rd91
— Jamie Broadnax (@JamieBroadnax) March 7, 2023
#ShazamFuryOfTheGods // #ShazamMovie is a super-powered sequel that packs a punch. A super solid, super fun & super smart blend of hilarity, heart & heroics. Ramps up the action & irreverence to a delightful degree. Helen Mirren, Lucy Liu & Rachel Zegler are MVPs. ❤️ the dragon! pic.twitter.com/C4eP4ukAk1
— Courtney Howard (@Lulamaybelle) March 7, 2023
I saw #Shazam! Fury of the Gods!
It’s a really good sequel. The theme of found family delivers great emotional beats. Sandberg sprinkles some horror elements while maintaining the childish joy & charm of the Shazamily.
Nothing brand new but highly entertaining! Really enjoyed. pic.twitter.com/7BFToNMRDj
— BD (@BrandonDavisBD) March 7, 2023
Shazam! Fury Of The Gods is a super fun and worthy sequel. Not a game changing comic book movie, but it wins you over with its characters and energy. Has some real surprises and a knowing sensibility that suit it well – plus some creative and exciting monster action. #ShazamMovie pic.twitter.com/J5gXH3lzzx
— Eric Eisenberg (@eeisenberg) March 7, 2023
It wasn’t too long ago when The Rock was confident that Shazam and Black Adam would fight in the DCEU. Less than five months later and Zachary Levi is in danger of being booted out with the director saying that the sequel’s success is going to determine if Levi will return.
Although if we’re being honest, this is probably just a ploy to get people to watch the film, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. The early reactions, as we’ve already mentioned, describe Shazam! Fury of the Gods as a movie that’s well worth watching.
Ultimately, it’s best to take Shazam! Fury of the Gods, The Flash, and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom as standalone stories.
James Gunn has already revealed his plans for the DC Universe. And, while Chapter 1 is still incomplete for now, Gunn isn’t likely to bring Levi back for a third Shazam! movie.
But, then again, who knows? Maybe Gunn will monitor the box office numbers of Shazam! Fury of the Gods and use it to determine if there’s space for Levi in the DCU. If it can make at least $400 million at the global box office, which it probably will since it’s premiering in China, there’s a good chance that Levi could be one of the few who will survive the imminent reboot of the cinematic universe of DC Comics.
