Shazam! Fury of the Gods (2023)

The sequel is bigger and weirder than the first but suffers from information overload and messy plotting. It remains entertaining thanks to laughs, cool moments and an ensemble worth rooting for.

The critic finds it a zesty, likable sequel with a cordial, puppyish good nature and awareness of its own silliness that gestures toward diversity. It does not entirely break free of the superhero-movie template but has an appealing freshness.

The film overreaches with a convoluted plot and shoddy craftsmanship that fails to recapture the original's warmth and fun, though the cast delivers some enjoyable family moments and comic timing. Visual set pieces lack wit and the story feels like a frustrating case of sequel excess.

A by-the-numbers sequel that struggles to evolve beyond usual comic-book derring-do despite heart, impertinent humour and Zachary Levi's charm. Notes it feels overstuffed and familiar with tonal shifts that undercut the story.

The sequel lacks the charm of the original, delivering expected action and villains but suffering from tedious CGI spectacle, flat gags, and a sense of sophomore slump. Some funny moments from the cast and charming scenes stand out amid the excessive set pieces.

The film is a facetious kids' adventure with no real threat or tension, as the hero cracks jokes even in peril. It is amiable in a goofy way but lacks the spark of the best DC superhero pictures.

The follow-up is disappointing and tiresome, losing the original's sweetness amid CGI and perplexing plotting. Worthy new cast members cannot make up for the absence of innocence and real jeopardy.

The sequel forgets the original's offhand charm and nimbleness, becoming a lumbering, uninspired effects spectacle that abandons the kid perspective and emotional core in favor of generic action. Some imaginative creatures are noted, but overall it feels competent yet forgettable swill.

The film fails to build on the first's whimsical foundation, resulting in a generic, forgettable spectacle with poorly directed action, underwritten villains, and interchangeable characters that saps the material of its novelty. The darker tone clashes with the goofiness without adding depth.

The critic calls it a vacuous and disappointing sequel that borrows plot devices unoriginally and features a dumb, unaware script with tedious reincarnation tropes. It insults the outsiders it pretends to champion through its buffed-up makeover premise.

The overly jokey approach has grown stale, making the film grating, labored, and annoying, largely due to Zachary Levi’s confounding performance as Shazam. The ugly, noisy, and poorly written sequel is a shoddily made mess aimed at kids but executed poorly.

A fun follow-up delivering the expected mix of silliness, schmaltz and over-the-top action with laugh-out-loud moments. Praises spirited performances, magnificent visuals and in-jokes, while noting some contrived plot elements and wasted villain talent.

The sequel trips over its desperation to amuse and feels like the character has already used up his best ideas in the first film. The cluttered script and overabundance of distractions leave little room for the tenderness and wit of the original.

The critic finds it a fun, light-hearted sequel that retains the charm of the original with witty gags and enthusiasm, though the final act monster battle is familiar. Praises the energy and easy laughs that make the hero more enjoyable than many bigger DC names.

The origin story’s charm is missing as the sequel is hobbled by a less buoyant hero and bland villains, resulting in a busy, formulaic, and rather joyless film. It loses the breezy screw-loose human appeal of the first movie in favor of convoluted CGI spectacle.

The critic sees it as a reminder that superhero films can still be fun, praising strong performances, imaginative worldbuilding, action, and humor while noting some weaknesses in character arcs and logic.

The critic praises the sequel for retaining the heart and humor of the original while expanding the scale with bigger superhero action. They single out the family dynamics and the engaging portrayal of the teenage characters.

The critic finds the film disappointing overall, arguing that Shazam is the problem with its annoying lead performance and cringeworthy humor. Some supporting characters like Freddy receive praise for being more fully realized.

The critic calls it a rubbery, unfunny sequel that feels empty due to sequelitis and the bloat of modern superhero filmmaking. The humor and CGI are singled out as flat and featureless.

The critic finds the film a slog undermined by a convoluted plot and muddy CGI finale, though it contains an enjoyable buddy-comedy dynamic between certain characters. The overall result feels haphazard and unreal.

The critic finds that the sequel's heartfelt story and character moments are overshadowed by excessive CGI action and monsters. They single out the strong family drama and comedy as the film's best elements, which get lost in the blockbuster spectacle.

The critic praises the humor, heart, and family dynamics of the Shazam superhero family but notes it suffers from a shopworn plot and overstuffed finale. The repartee and heartfelt performances of the cast keep the film afloat despite its flaws.

The critic finds it a refreshingly old-fashioned family adventure with a big heart and tongue-in-cheek tone that delivers cheerful entertainment. They single out the sweet chemistry between Freddy and one of the villains for praise, while noting the overly long runtime and stumbling ending as drawbacks.