In Shazam 2, the Shazam Family (a.k.a. the “Philadelphia fiascos”) has to stop an ancient trio, the Daughters of Atlas — Hespera, Kalypso, and Anthea from taking over Philadelphia, and eventually, the world. The Daughters want to take their father’s stolen powers back, even if it means causing chaos and destruction. The Shazam Family have to stop the Daughters from using a weapon (the Wizard’s staff) that could take the family’s powers and allow the Daughters to take over the world. The movie also involves a Magic Tree, a Golden Apple, and a Seed of Life that can destroy the world.
So, is Shazam 2 worth watching?
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Shazam 2: A Light Superhero Movie with Deep Life Lessons
The first Shazam movie from 2019 was praised for its lighter tone compared to earlier DCEU films which were gloomier and dark. The second installment is quite the same. The movie is entertaining. The comedy flows naturally, unlike other films where the comedy appears forced. While the movie may have a basic superhero plot, it does contain themes that involve meaningful life lessons.
For one, our boy Billy Batson deals with impostor syndrome and abandonment issues. Impostor syndrome is quite something common for superheroes. They wonder whether they’re worthy of the powers they were given. Billy is no exception. Throughout the film, he wonders whether he’s worthy of being the Wizard Shazam’s chosen champion and whether he could continue being a good leader to the Shazam family.
Billy also struggles with family issues, especially abandonment. It can be recalled in the first film that Billy spent years looking for his mom and running away from multiple foster homes. Eventually, he managed to find his mom with the help of the Shazam family, but his mom chose not to keep him because she predicted that her new partner would not accept him to live together with them. Thus, in the second film, Billy clings too much to his foster family over fear that they too would abandon him soon.
The film also tackles coming-of-age themes such as independence. Freddy’s been wanting to gain independence by doing things without Billy, so he goes out superhero-ing on his own. Mary wanted to gain a degree of independence too by making plans on going to college. She ponders on turning 18 and aging out of the foster system and tells Billy to do the same as they have no assurance their foster parents (Rosa and Victor Vásquez) will keep them. But Billy is reluctant to do so, as it would mean leaving his foster family.
Additionally, Freddy explores young love with Anthea/Anne (who’s apparently a millennia-old goddess) and deals with bullies while Pedro discovers his sexuality.
With these themes in place, Shazam 2 couldn’t be called “just another superhero movie”.
The Action in Shazam 2
The action of this film is on an average level. We see Shazam in full power as he tries to stop the Daughters of Atlas (specifically, Kalypso and her CGI dragon). We see Shazam’s lightning abilities powered up to the max. This was a satisfying watch.
The Daughters are powerful beings as well, which adds to the action. Hespera is the team leader. Kalypso, with her “Power of Chaos”, can control someone’s mind by whispering in their ear. Anthea has the “Power of Axis”, which allows the world to shift around her.
A bunch of mythical monsters also appear, and as for the rest of the action scenes, most of them merely involve a show of super speed, super strength, and flying abilities. Oh, and stopping chaos with unicorns.
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The Final Verdict: Should You Watch Shazam 2?
Yes. Shazam 2 is fun, entertaining, and a good family movie. It may not be the best superhero film out there, but it’s another one that would surely make you laugh and learn some deep lessons in life at the same time. It’s a good standalone film and its plot doesn’t really intertwine with the other DC films. Get ready to laugh, cry maybe, and look forward to a big cameo.
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Shazam! Fury of the Gods is now playing in theaters.
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