Superhero movies have a very important job: capturing and transporting us to a world of possibility and wonder. Much like its predecessor, ‘Shazam Fury of the Gods’ continues to offer viewers a sense of fascination with its delightful themes, outrageous humor and entertaining special effects. Directed by David F. Sandberg and starring Zachary Levi as Shazam, Jack Dylan Grazer as Freddie, Lucy Liu as Kalypso and Helen Mirren as Hespera, the film shines with a captivating combination of childlike innocence and intense stakes. The storyline is a throwback to a simpler time of old fashioned feel-good superhero movies, a refreshing two hour and ten minute escape from real life.

The film begins with a daring entrance from two vengeful gods, Kalypso and Hespera, who desire to restore power to their world by taking a magical artifact that had been stolen from them and brought to Earth. Meanwhile, Billy Batson (Asher Angel) and his fellow foster siblings are still learning how to navigate their powers, their mysterious lair, and their newfound responsibilities as heroes in the world. The two groups quickly clash, leading to a series of conflicts, quick wits, and hilarious misunderstandings.

Though ‘Shazam Fury of the Gods’ has a fantastic soundtrack and visually pleasing costumes, its strongest points are its special effects and well written relationships between characters. The brotherly bond between Billy and Freddie steals every scene they are in, amplifying the audience’s connection to the characters and their struggles. The three sister gods who wish to defeat the Shazam family also develop interesting tensions throughout the film, creating another unique super-powered family dynamic. The smoothness of the story is assisted by flawless visual effects and multi-dimensional characters who draw the audience into an even greater sense of belief in this made-up world.

While it may not be the most analytical piece of fiction to be adapted on screen, ‘Shazam Fury of the Gods’ is certainly entertaining; though going to the movies can be an educational experience, sometimes all we truly need is to be ruthlessly entertained for a few humorous hours.