David F. Sandberg returns with the DC surprise hit Shazam. It revolves around a young boy who transforms into a superhero. DC has had a lot of success with its B list of Superheroes, so it's no surprise that they've summoned a sequel. The wonderful thing about Shazam is that, unlike the traditional Batman, this hero is more family friendly, giving it a broader appeal.

The entertainment value that made the first film so memorable is back which is family over everything.

Shazam! Fury of the Gods, like its predecessor, is a family-centered comedy with a dark undercurrent.

In this film, Billy Batson (Billy Batson) aka Shazam (Zachary Levi) is still grappling with life as a young adult. He may have acquired this fantastic alter ego, but whether in the suit or as himself, he is still figuring out how to navigate life. Bill, haunted by his childhood, is struggling to accept the fact that he will soon turn 18 and may no longer have the family he has grown to love. This is evident in his interactions with foster sister Mary (Grace Caroline Currey), who assures him that maturing does not imply losing one's family. On the superhero front Shazam is coming to grips with the fact that he’s no longer operating alone. He has a team now. Some of his siblings are also flexing their independence as their hometown grapples with what to call them and their role. 

His siblings equally are coming to grips with the fact that they are now part of this new superhero family and while they have united in embracing these powers their parents Victor (Cooper Andrews) and Rosa (Marta Milans) are still not the wiser. 

As if becoming superheroes and being a teenager weren't enough, the sisters Kalypso (Lucy Liu), Hespera (Helen Mirren), and Anthea (Rachel Zegler) have arrived to disrupt their lives. They are goddesses from the past who are attempting to rebuild their world but require assistance from heroes.

It's always refreshing to see women in these films who aren't forced to play pretty and safe, but the sisters lacked nuance, and when you have actresses like Liu and Mirren in a film, it's shameful not to make the most of their talents. The same can be said for Zegler, who is extremely talented and deserves to play a role other than damsel in distress.

The action in Shazam was also very safe and exciting, as viewers have come to expect from comic book films. There were some nice shots of the city of brotherly love, particularly the action on The Ben Franklin Bridge and in certain parts of center city. The pacing is the most serious problem with Shazam !Fury of the Gods. It's quite uneven. It's slow at times, but as soon as the audience leans into the heartfelt moments, the action picks up. It's clear that screenwriters Henry Gayden and Chris Morgan were struggling with where they wanted to take this story. It's a little heartbreaking because what makes Shazam so unique is that it's about a young man discovering himself, and much of that has been lost in this sequel.

Another advantage of Shazam! Fury of the Gods is that it is a hero designed for younger audiences. Many of them can relate to Billy's struggles, but many of the themes in this sequel are dark and mature.

Having said that, not all is lost. The best thing about Shazam!  Fury of the Gods is that we get to know the other kids better, especially Jack Dylan Grazer, who plays Freddie Freeman. He embraces being a superhero more than anyone else, and through that journey discovers that the true hero is him being his authentic self. A message that more children need to hear in this day and age when everyone wants to be Instagram famous.

As with all DC films, there are some amusing cameos, so stick around for the end credits. Shazam! Fury of the Gods isn't as entertaining as the first, but if you're looking to go to the movies and just relax, this is a good choice.

Shazam! Fury of the Gods comes out this Friday March the 17 to a theater near you