The review embargo for Warner Bros. and New Line's Shazam! Fury of the Gods lifted earlier tonight (you can check out our verdict here), and while the response to the DC Comics sequel has been pretty positive overall, it doesn't seem to have won quite as many critics over as its 2019 predecessor.
The movie's Rotten Tomatoes score has been fluctuating pretty wildly (it doesn't help that the site is currently as glitchy as Ultron), but has now settled at around 69% with 45 reviews counted.
Most critics have praised the movie's cast and sense of humor, while noting that it doesn't quite match the first film's charm. The more negative reviews focus on the formulaic story, repetitive action, and... skittles (it'll make sense when you see the movie!)
Click here to read through the reviews for yourselves and keep an eye on the score.
Bestowed with the powers of the gods, Billy Batson and his fellow foster kids are still learning how to juggle teenage life with having adult Super Hero alter-egos. But when the Daughters of Atlas, a vengeful trio of ancient gods, arrive on Earth in search of the magic stolen from them long ago, Billy—aka Shazam—and his family are thrust into a battle for their superpowers, their lives, and the fate of their world.
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.
Shazam! Fury of the Gods stars returning cast members Zachary Levi (Thor: Ragnarok) as Shazam; Asher Angel (Andi Mack) as Billy Batson; Jack Dylan Grazer (It Chapter Two) as Freddy Freeman; Adam Brody (Promising Young Woman) as Super Hero Freddy; Ross Butler (Raya and the Last Dragon) as Super Hero Eugene; Meagan Good (Day Shift) as Super Hero Darla; D.J. Cotrona (G.I. Joe: Retaliation) as Super Hero Pedro; Grace Caroline Currey (Annabelle: Creation) as Mary Bromfield / Super Hero Mary; Faithe Herman (This Is Us) as Darla Dudley; Ian Chen (A Dog’s Journey) as Eugene Choi; Jovan Armand (Second Chances) as Pedro Pena; Marta Milans (White Lines) as Rosa Vasquez; Cooper Andrews (The Walking Dead) as Victor Vasquez; with Djimon Hounsou (A Quiet Place Part II) as Wizard.
Joining the cast are Rachel Zegler (West Side Story), with Lucy Liu (Kung Fu Panda franchise) and Helen Mirren (F9: The Fast Saga).
The superhero sequel is set to hit theaters on March 17, 2023.