Aquaman
(Warner Bros. Pictures/DC)
By Lucas Allen
We’ve had so many Marvel movies in the past year that it’s a good idea to have a DC character cap off a great year for superhero movies.
“Aquaman” is the latest entry in the DC Extended Universe, which is still trying to find its footing following last year’s “Justice League.”
Fortunately, director James Wan (“Furious 7”) brings his own voice and style to give the universe a much-needed jolt of fun and escapism. If you enjoyed the character in the previous film, you’ll be happy with his appearance in this film that happily erases his tenure as being a punchline.
The story begins in 1985 Maine, when lighthouse keeper Tom Curry (Temuera Morrison) discovers Atlantean Queen Atlanna (Nicole Kidman) washed ashore and starts caring for her. Soon enough, they fall in love and have a baby they name Arthur. But the Atlantis navy caught up with her and she had to return to the sea to face punishment for desertion of an arranged marriage.
Years later, as the now-grown Arthur (Jason Momoa) deals with life as half-human/half-Atlantean while supporting his human father, he’s approached by Mera (Amber Heard), who tells him of an ongoing war in Atlantis about to be fought by his half-brother King Orm (Patrick Wilson) and King Nereus (Dolph Lundgren).
His mentor, Vulko (Willem Dafoe), tells him that he has to search for the lost Golden Trident of Atlan (Graham McTavish) and reclaim his place as King of Atlantis. As Arthur and Mera travel the globe for the lost artifact, the duo are then attacked by terrorist Black Mantra (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) who has a grudge to settle.
Soon enough, it puts the half-breed Aquaman on a path to fulfilling his destiny.
Much like “Wonder Woman,” it seems as though people behind the DCEU were trying to correct the mistakes they made by learning from Marvel’s recent string of successes and bringing new filmmakers to add some fresh ideas. However with this movie, they definitely borrowed heavily from the Thor movies with a kingdom, fighting brothers, and traversing between two different worlds.
It’s a case of “monkey-see, monkey-do” that will annoy some viewers, especially those who have seen some great superhero movies. Despite those story issues, Wan still manages to keep things up, bringing his brand of action filmmaking he took from “Furious 7” and add more insane stuff to the film.
The choreographed fight scenes and intense battle sequences are done to exact care and attention so that audiences won’t be too confused by what’s going on. The camera plays a big part choosing to show the action from a distance like it’s attached to a dolly crane while the big explosions are occurring.
With the runtime of nearly two and a half hours, the director does a really good job of keeping the viewer’s attention any way he can. Momoa is a force to be reckoned with when he brings such charisma, muscle, and emotional intensity to the role. He’s definitely the right actor to transform the character from a joke to a truly heroic muscleman. He does have some good comic chemistry with Heard, but the actress’ lack of ferocious believability in the role makes their romantic chemistry less believable.
The other meaty roles by Wilson, Dafoe, and Lundgren offer some camp value sorely missed in the other DC films. Surprisingly, Morrison and Kidman’s romantic chemistry is much more believable than the two leads.
“Aquaman” is basically DC’s “Thor,” but it still works as its own entertaining film with Momoa bringing out the best. It’s enjoyable enough for a sequel, and hopefully they’ll bring something new to the table. Also, can we please have a team-up film with Aquaman and Batman?
THE MOVIE’S RATING: PG-13 (for sequences of sci-fi violence and action, and for some language)
THE CRITIC’S RATING: 3.25 Stars (Out of Four)
