HCA Gradebook: “Shazam! Fury of the Gods”

Movie: Shazam! Fury of the Gods
Plot: From New Line Cinema comes Shazam! Fury of the Gods, which continues the story of teenage Billy Batson who, upon reciting the magic word “SHAZAM!,” is transformed into his adult Super Hero alter ego, Shazam.
Cast: Zachary Levi, Asher Angel, Jack Dylan Grazer, Adam Brody, Ross Butler, Meagan Good, D.J. Cotrona, Grace Caroline Currey, Faithe Herman, Ian Chen, Jovan Armand, Marta Milans, Cooper Andrews, Djimon Hounsou, Rachel Zegler, Lucy Liu, and Helen Mirren
Director: David F. Sandberg
Release Date: March 17, 2023
Studio: Warner Bros Pictures
Number of Graders: 50
HCA Overall Grade: B

Dave Morales says, “A fun, fast paced adventure! The heart of this film is what I truly enjoyed, along with the character growth from the previous film. Some of the ‘super hero’ movies can be complicated and difficult to follow… Another plus for Shazam is that it is not. It is pure entertaining, cinematic fun!”
Grade: A

Nikki Fowler says, “‘Shazam! Fury of the Gods’ was a nonstop thrill ride of superhero excitement and perfectly captured the importance of loyalty and always doing what’s right when it comes to family and friends. This cast and the writing just made you want to cheer everyone on with every beat, and the fans in the theater did just that. This is a film that’s great for families. The detailed production was incredible and the CGI was great. Every unveiling from the unleashed creatures to the dark horse unicorns made it a fun watch. The entire cast entertained and hit their marks making this a laugh out loud movie from start to finish. Meagan Good can do no wrong and was adorable as Superhero Darla and Djimon and Zachery’s portrayals are simply iconic. Jack Dylan Grazer Is the MVP. Loved Helen Mirren, Rachel Zegler, and Lucy Liu’s performances as Greek goddesses Anthea, Hespera, and Kalypso. Shazam just has that secret sauce and movie magic that just makes you feel good when leaving the theater.”
Grade: A-

Caillou Pettis says, “Shazam! Fury of the Gods may not be quite as strong as the first one, but it’s still an electrifyingly exciting superhero adventure with plenty of heart and laughs along the way.”
Grade: A-

Tessa Smith says, ‘Shazam: Fury of the Gods has a very similar vibe to the first one. There are a lot of jokes, but at the same time it isn’t afraid to get dark and real when it needs to be. If your style of DC / comic book films is action, humor, and heart — this one has you covered. However, if you are looking for a more serious vibe, it might not be for you. That isn’t to say the stakes don’t ever get high, because they do. The thing is Shazam has always embraced the humor side of things, and that hasn’t changed.”
Grade: A-

James White says, “Though the Shazam! sequel suffers from the typical desire to be bigger (and darker) than the original, that doesn’t hinder the entertainment value too much. The difference between the performances of Zachary Levi and Asher Angel (as Shazam and human alter ego Billy) still causes issues and not all the ‘Shazamily’ are well served, but the villains are entertaining and director David F. Sandberg brings his typically healthy mix of humour and horror to the movie.”
Grade: A-

Rick Hong says, “Shazam! Fury of the Gods, might just be better than the original, it definitely keeps the heart and fun of the original.”
Grade: B+

Rachel Leishman says, “Shazam! Fury of the Gods brings us more of the same that we loved from the first movie while being a fun time. It’s not reinventing the wheel but it does have a lot of heart that lets you push any predictability to the side to love the story that Billy Batson and his Shazam family are going on!”
Grade: B+

Scott Menzel says, “Shazam! Fury of the Gods is a highly entertaining blockbuster. While it is hard to top the original, which just so happens to be one of my favorite DC films in recent years, I appreciated how the script takes the story in a whole different direction. This sequel is more mature and definitely darker. Rachel Zegler is a welcome addition to the cast and the chemistry between her and Jack Dylan Grazer is nothing short of charming. I saw this film twice and thought it was even better on a repeat viewing. Shazam! Fury of the Gods is good ole fashion fun.”
Grade: B+

Jana N Nagase says, “Shazam! Fury Of The Gods is funny and keeps the same energy of the first one. It’s a loyal sequel. I loved how much Jake Dylan Grazer’s character envolves; he’s really good on it. The creatures are very scary and the CGI is great. But I still think the first one is better.”
Grade: B+

Catalina Combs says, “A fun sequel. It really is all about family for this one. It was geared towards the younger dc crowd. The cast brings the young gen z vibes and jokes.”
Grade: B+

Maggie Ma says, “The action scenes are definitely on another level , more intense , more horror elements than the first one. Jack Dylan and Rachel Zegler are really cute together ! Djimon Hounsou and Helen Mirren have some really funny scenes . Love Steve the pen and dragon. Although there are plots holes and sometime can be childish, in general it’s a fun family movie.”
Grade: B+

Zachary Pope says, ‘Count me as a fan of ShazamFuryOfTheGods! Bigger, More Action Packed but still centering on what is the heart of the DC UNIVERSE. The themes of family still pack a punch when they need to & shows that the future of DC needs the #Shazam Family”
Grade: B

Nicholas Spake says, “After a series of hits and mostly misses, ‘Shazam!’ felt like everything that the DCEU should’ve been from the get-go. Lighthearted yet epic in scope with room for legitimate character development. It was in the spirit of 1978’s ‘Superman,’ but with the immature edge of ‘The Goonies.’ Funny how both of those movies had Richard Donner in common. ‘Shazam! Fury of the Gods’ doesn’t repeat its predecessor’s formula beat for beat, although it does deliver more of the same. It’s not a sequel that builds upon the original so much as it keeps the ball rolling. For fans simply looking for more of what the first film offered, you’ll walk away satisfied. For a coming-of-age series, though, you can’t help but wish for something more grown-up.”
Grade: B

Rosa Parra says, “‘Shazam! Fury of the Gods’ is an epic, fun, heartfelt and engaging superhero movie that gives the genre a ray of hope. Its message highlighting the importance of family, individuality, and that anyone has the capacity of being a hero is welcomed and necessary. You’ll leave the film craving Skittles and perhaps hugging those close to you.”
Grade: B

David Gonzalez says, “In this period of transition, Shazam! Fury of the Gods arrives stuck in limbo regarding the series’ future. However, the film packs a super lightning bolt of hilarity, captivating action, and surprises. The familial bond remains stronger than ever in a movie that’s not breaking the mold but follows the trajectory of its predecessor as a charming and delightful cinematic escape.”
Grade: B

Kevin Taft says, “Shazam: Fury of the Gods survives on is ts likeaboe cast and consistent humor. Add a game Helen Mirren and you know it will be a lot of fun. That said, the first half is more engaging than the second which falls victim to superhero movie syndrome where the wall to wall special effects are hard to see and have a numbing effect. It’s harmless and enjoyable, but the endless destruction gets a bit dull.”
Grade: B

Rama Tampubolon says, “Look, no one knows what’s in store for ‘Shazam’ future now that DC is going in a different direction, without naming names. But if fate says that there can only be two ‘Shazam’ movies, then they have been quite enjoyable. Especially this sequel ‘Shazam: Fury of The Gods’ which I found hugely entertaining. If in the previous film, David injected his horror expertise making the first ‘Shazam’ somewhat scary, well in this latest installment, it’s as if he just wanted to take the fun and the silly up a notch which it totally worked.”
Grade: B

Jeff Ewing says, “Shazam! 2 lacks the charm of its predecessor and boasts a number of logic problems, but Grazer’s Freeman, some engaging action sequences, and humor that often works make it a fun film overall.”
Grade: B

Sean Chandler says, “Shazam Fury of the Gods is a fun but forgettable continuation of the franchise. The cast is as charming as ever, and the stakes and set pieces are much bigger this time around. Likewise, the villains pose a far greater threat which ties into the lore in interesting ways. However, the movie also trades in what made the original movie unique in order to deliver comic book blockbuster cliches. The original stood out because it was essentially Big as a superhero story. While our hero is still a child turned superhero, the focus is on the lore, action, and heroic cliches. I still had fun with it, but it didn’t do anything to stand out in a crowded genre.”
Grade: B

Aaron Neuwirth says, “Is the addition of more gods and wizards holding things back? Not necessarily, but I wish there was more thematic work here to connect it all. As it stands, I suppose this continuing adventure of Shazam! feeling like just another comic book issue isn’t a bad thing, but perhaps I’m still hoping lightning strikes twice next time.”
Grade: B-

Mike Manalo says, “Unfortunately, this time around, the returns have diminished a little bit. ‘Shazam! Fury of the Gods’ suffers from the ‘Quantumania’ problem of assuming bigger is better. Ironically for both properties, the filmmakers and studios behind them forgot the charm from their predecessors came from the smaller scale simplicities and lower stakes of their respective initial installments. However, unlike ‘Quantumania,’ ‘Fury of the Gods’ doesn’t have a performance on par with Jonathan Major’s terrific turn as Kang to compensate for its weaknesses. And the “Paul Rudd Award’ for “Likable Leading Character’ is also missing from this installment, when compared to the first, because this time around Billy/Shazam is so much more grating. Levi and Angel do their best, but at the end of the day, Shazam in this movie comes across as super needy and obnoxious.”
Grade: B-

Nestor Bentancor says, “A serviceable and intermittently amusing blockbuster, but a disappointing step down from the hilarious, moving, contained and refreshing first film.” [Full Review in Spanish]
Grade: B-

Rasha Goel says, “A light hearted fun family film. Has some quirky silly moments. Helen Mirren always lights up the screen with her presence. Great to see her in some stunt sequences – some of which she did on her own.”
Grade: B-

Ricky Valero says, “Shazam! Fury of the Gods might not live up to its original film, but that is okay. It’s campy-like story reminds you of Ant-Man in that it’s got some jokes that will hit and won’t hit. Zegler thrives, and I know I am in the minority here, but I would love to see more from this crew.”
Grade: B-

DarkSkyLady says, “Although hopeful that Shazam sequel would shine, too many of the jokes and humor do not land. They are ill-timed or plain not funny. The action and direction are big pluses; however there are tonal moments that feel confusing. When a teacher dies, there’s brief, heartfelt anguish and then it’s never shown again. DC needs to improve nailing these shifts so they feel more real and less whiplash confusing.”
Grade: C+

John Nguyen says, “Shazam: Fury of the Gods is a fun-filled adventure that’s a solid follow-up to the first film. There is plenty of humor, action, and heart, and it’s always a treat to see the family together again. I wish the movie was longer since there are a lot of characters.”
Grade: C+

Kathia Woods says, “Another advantage of Shazam! Fury of the Gods is that it is a hero designed for younger audiences. Many of them can relate to Billy’s struggles, but many of the themes in this sequel are dark and mature.”
Grade: C+

Zoë Rose Bryant says, “Shazam! Fury of the Gods features some fun new foes in the form of Helen Mirren, Lucy Liu, and Rachel Zegler’s ‘Daughters of Atlas,’ and Jack Dylan Grazer is once again a scene-stealer in every sense of the word, but the film as a whole can’t escape a ‘been there, done that’ feeling as it trades some of its predecessor’s signature sincerity for empty CGI spectacle.”
Grade: C+

Jonathan Fujii says, “Another superhero sequel that is perfectly fine. Nothing so bad it offends, nothing so great it amazes. Loses some of the charm that made the first movie a lot of fun and can feel rather hallow. Are superhero movies okay?”
Grade: C+

Lupe Rodriguez Haas says, “As a big fan of Shazam!, the sequel is a disappointment. It attempted to recreate the magic, but it felt repetitive and bland, and the humor is clearly aimed at a young audience. However, there’s plenty of spectacle and some endearing moments so it’ll play well with families.”
Grade: C+

Wendy Lee Szany says, “Lots of fun with bigger action sequences than the first but it had pacing issues in the 2nd act. Missed the magic of the emotional dynamic that was so present in the first film.”
Grade: C+

John Rocha says, “Shazam! Fury Of The Gods is a disappointment overall. A ‘really trying hard to make you laugh’ movie that uses catchphrases to replace human interactions, delivers unearned emotional payoffs, turns three damn good actresses into POWERFUL, ancient villains who are bland and easily duped and smashes Sandberg’s horror tones onto the rocks of Norman Rockwell’s idea of family.

The jokes mostly fall flat, the action is uninspired, the hero’s journey is frustratingly shallow, and ridiculous scenarios are used as heroic moments.”
Grade: C

Josie Meléndez says, “Shazam! Fury of the Gods’ is a fun addition to the DCEU. It’s enjoyable and humorous, but it stops at that, oftentimes feeling hollow amongst the entertainment. It struggles to stand as a singular piece. Instead it relies on the heart and depth of the first installment. That being said, fans of the characters will consider their time well spent with this one. Some clear stand outs are Lucy Liu, Helen Mirren, Jack Dylan Grazer, and Djimon Hounsou.”

Grade: C

Dan Murrell says, “Fury of the Gods loses all the charm of the first Shazam movie and replaces it with the same generic action we’ve seen so many times before. Zachary Levi is reduced to playing a caricature of his character, and Helen Mirren and Lucy Liu are largely wasted in forgettable villain roles. While far from the worst the comic book genre hasn’t to offer, it also doesn’t offer much that’s memorable or outstanding. If this is the end of this franchise, it’s a somewhat disappointing one.”
Grade: C

Mara Knopic says, “Shazam! Fury of the Gods, like many sequels, has the possibility of falling victim to the pitfalls of being either half-hearted or doubling down in effectively; regrettably, this movie managed to do both. The strengths of the first film are nearly absent, the changes to the characterization of the core talent do far more harm than good and the new cast additions seemed disinterested in delivering an even mediocre performance. Given the flexibility afforded to the writing team by not following any specific comics run or established arc as well as not being beholden to greater universe building in the DCEU, it is mind boggling that the story is so lazily written. Lastly, I find it especially disappointing given how much I enjoy Shazam! (2019) that this is almost certainly the last solo film for this iteration of the character. It’s never fun watching something that had the potential to be great go out on a face plant.”
Grade: C

Nancy Tapia says, “There were some good action scenes and seeing the family dynamic. Unfortunately, some magic was missing in the Shazam sequel. The jokes are a bit overdone and not fitting. The villain was predictable.”
Grade: C

Danielle Broadway says, “‘Shazam! Fury of the Gods’ lacks the heart of the first film, which was the only hope this superhero sequel had after a rocky superhero origin movie. The humor doesn’t land and the story doesn’t come together. With that said, it still remains a film that offers representation to foster youth given larger than life opportunities. This is deviation from the norm makes it some parts salvageable. Sadly, not enough can be saved by a sweet message and the exhaustive failures of the film overshadow a talented cast.”
Grade: C-

Francisco Cangiano says, “Really enjoyed the first one, but can’t say the same for Shazam! Fury of the Gods. A bland, generic sequel, that’s missing the charm & sense of wonder of the original. Bigger & louder, yet messy & unmemorable. Did enjoy the Jack Dylan Grazer & Rachel Zegler duo on the big screen.”
Grade: C-

Jami Philbrick says, “Shazam! Fury of the Gods’ is fun but lacks the magic of the original. With more action and a darker tone, the characters gets lost in this sequel, but it does feature strong performances from Helen Mirren, Rachel Zegler and Meagan Good.”
Grade: C-

Mario Szekely says, “Is a shame than WB decided to not care about the character development and story of this film. There is not heart at all and the movie is about a secondary character not Shazam!”
Grade: C-

Patrick Beatty says, “If you love Zachary Levi and the first Shazam! you will have a good time here as it does rachet up the thrills and fun. If you’ve never seen the first, you won’t miss anything. If you’re invested in where the future of the DC Universe is heading, maybe watch and stick around for the two post-credit scenes.”
Grade: C-

Nate Adams says, “There’s no logic to any of the battles during the climax either and the formula for 2019’s “Shazam!’ seems retroactively dated. But I suppose when the bar for making half-decent superhero entries is already so low (we’re still licking our wounds from “Black Adam’), it doesn’t matter the quality so much if people show up. Although, judging by how bored and distracted the crowd in my theater was (they didn’t even stick around for the two post credit scenes!), I’m not sure the fury of the gods is the only thing DC will have to worry about.”
Grade: C-

Alex Billington says, “Unfortunately I did not enjoy this. One of the most ‘maintain the status quo’ superhero movies I’ve ever seen. Never really entertained me, most of the jokes don’t work, the action is generic and bland. Nah this is pretty bad. It’s so joyously cliche and uninspired, derivative and messy, I couldn’t even enjoy the few funny scenes it does have. The movie focuses so much on the goofiness of Freddy, with Billy almost forgotten throughout most of it, they should’ve just called it ‘Shazam! The Power of Freddy’ instead.”
Grade: C-

Nicole Ackman says, “Shazam! Fury of the Gods feels like a blatant attempt to recapture the financial success of the first Shazam film without any solid concept for a new storyline for the superheroes. It manages to lose what was great about the first one while introducing interesting new characters, only to underutilize them.”
Grade: C-

Rachel Wagner says, “While improving on some aspects of the original this is nothing we haven’t seen a million times before. Completely average in every way.”
Grade: C-

Demetri Panos says, “Saved by the ending, Shazam! Fury of the Gods almost made me FURY-ous. In and of itself the ending highlights the weakness of the movie whose wonky focus, obvious “why didn’t they just do that?’, bringing in a mythical creature whose only purpose is to advertise for skittles, – why is it when the word SHAZAM is exclaimed everyone physically changes except for one character?? Fury of the Gods indeed!”
Grade: D+

Rick Bentley says, “Zachary Levi – who is the answer for Warner Bros. to Paul Rudd as Ant-Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe – is Shazam. His latest failure to grasp the super concept comes in “Shazam! Fury of the Gods.’ After seeing this flop, there should be some moviegoers feeling their own fury.”
Grade: D+

Alexander Robinson says, “I really wanted to love this movie. The first Shazam from 2019 was a really charming comic book movie and a breathe of fresh air for the DC Extended Universe. It’s everything that this movie isn’t. The most engaging moments happen in the first half where Billy Batson is struggling with his superhero life and keeping his foster family together as they start to grow older. The chemistry between the foster siblings really works and is the heart of the film. Then once the second half kicks in, it is bogged down by lame villains, a overblown CG battle, and the single worst cop out ending I’ve seen in over a decade. The end of DC Extended Universe can’t come soon enough after seeing this movie.”
Grade: D

Emmanuel Noisette says, “Shazam Fury of the Gods was a formulaic, overstuffed, silly superhero movie that probably would’ve been better received 10 to 15 years ago. There were so many times when I thought I was watching a movie on the Disney Channel, given how kiddie some of the story beats would turn. I believe younger audiences will appeal more to this film, even though it is PG-13, for its violence and language.”
Grade: F