Shazam! sequel loses the magic touch
Evening Standard|March 17, 2023
THE first Shazam! movie was sweeter than ice-cream. Thanks to a wizard, Philadelphia foster kid Billy Batson turns into a fully grown super hero whenever he says the magic word, “Shazam”.
Charlotte O’Sullivan
Shazam! sequel loses the magic touch

After Billy shares his powers with his five foster siblings, they see off a baddie and now, in the sequel, they face a new challenge.

The obstacle that confronts director David F Sandberg is that the script in the sequel is not as spry as that of the first instalment. In the latest chapter of the DCEU (DC Extended Universe), despite some spectacular CGI (Harry Potter-ish libraries; alt-unicorns; a city-squishing dragon), the sense of wonder has gone. Oh yeah, and the product placement is shameless. I’m not furious, just disappointed.

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