SHAZAM! FURY OF THE GODS

Zachary Levi as Shazam

SHAZAM: FURY OF THE GODS (2023). Director: David F. Sandberg.

Two goddesses, Hespera (Helen Mirren) and Kalypso (Lucy Liu), are furious that Billy Batson (Asher Angel) was given the power that they feel rightfully belonged to their father, Atlas, and hence to them. They cause havoc in a museum in Greece, turning several tourists to stone, and shattering the likable museum guide to pieces. (Leaning of this, our heroes don't seem as appalled as they should be, and there is no talk of finding out if the victims' rock-like state can be reversed.) A third sister, Anthea (Rachel Zegler), is kinder and gentler and bonds with Billy's brother, Freddy Freeman (Jack Dylan Grazer) and his super-hero alter ego (Adam Brody). Turning into his own super-hero counterpart, now christened Shazam (Zachary Levi) instead of Captain Marvel (for copyright reasons), Billy Batson gathers together the other children in his family, and they transform into their super-powered counterparts in order to take on not only Hespera and Kalypso, but a host of demonic creatures and a huge, malevolent dragon named Ladon.

Mortgage payment? Helen Mirren and Lucy Lui

This sequel to Shazam, which itself was no world-beater, is a cut below the original. Although Billy Batson is now nearly 18, when he switches to Shazam he acts much more childish and nerdy than he does as himself. Zachary Levi gives an adept-enough comic performance, but while the Captain Marvel stories of the 40s were pretty silly, there's no reason to make this modern movie quite so ridiculous. (The far superior Black Adam was cut from the same universe more or less but it rarely descends into camp. Here's hoping that Shazam does not join the Justice Society!) Helen Mirren and Lucy Lui, especially the former, give excellent performances (as does Rachel Zegler as their sister), but one has to wonder why an actress of Mirren's stature chose to appear in this shit. A mortgage coming due?

Ladon the dragon has no personality

Another problem with the movie is that the action sequences are not put together that well, the cinematography is disappointing (there isn't one single strikingly composed shot), and even the over-familiar special effects fail to impress -- you've seen it all before, and better. The movie is full of phony sentimentality -- so much hugging and crying while the original victims are completely forgotten. Shazam! Fury of the Gods wears out its welcome about halfway through -- you just wait for the damn thing to end.

Verdict: How much silliness can you stand. *1/2. 

TEACHING MRS. TINGLE

Helen Mirren

TEACHING MRS. TINGLE (1999). Written and directed by Kevin Williamson.

When it appears that three high school students have been trying to steal test questions, their very nasty teacher Mrs. Tingle (Helen Mirren) promises that they are going to pay dearly. This is especially bad news for Leigh (Katie Holmes), who is hoping to go to Harvard. She and her friend, Trudie (Liz Stauber), go to Tingle's home to beg and plead, and the woman winds up getting hit by a crossbow! Instead of calling for an ambulance, the young ladies tie her to her bed and hope for the best. Mrs. Tingle revives, but how can Leigh and Trudy convince their teacher not to go to the police? 

Young cast members of Tingle up against Mirren

Frankly, I thought that Teaching Mrs. Tingle might wind up in one of my "Films I Never Quite Finished" posts more than once, but at least the picture is unpredictable, and while I can't say I particularly liked the movie, I did want to see how it would all turn out. Helen Mirren, if course, easily out-acts the rest of the cast, although they manage to acquit themselves in a more or less professional manner. Jeffrey Tambor is also good as Coach Wenchell, who winds up unwittingly helping Leigh in her goal. The irritating thing is that the only really guilty party (to the original offense) is a jerk named Luke (Barry Watson), who never once offers to take the blame and let the gals off the hook. Michael McKean is the principal; Lesley Ann Warren is Leigh's mother; Molly Ringwald is Miss Banks; and Viveca A. Fox scores as another teacher, Miss Gold. The characters are virtually all unsympathetic and the movie, written and helmed by the writer of the Scream movies, is morally bankrupt. 

Verdict: Well, at least it's somewhat different and a wonderful Mirren is always watchable. **1/4.