After taking two steps forward and one step back, perhaps DC Entertainment has finally found its sweet spot with its newest offering.
Aquaman combines bits and pieces from many familiar places, such as Jurassic Park, Gladiator and Avatar, to create a hugely entertaining film that embraces its weirdness and comic book corniness. Horror director James Wan has recreated the winning formula first discovered by Wonder Woman.
The overall origin story of Aquaman remain true to the source material, with nods to the current new 52 series of comic books. And people that were already aware of his origin story should not have expected more from the movie based on the trailer. The stark differences are Altanta’s unwillingness to leave Arthur and his father in the movie and the mere utilization of Dr. Stephen Shin on the later small bits of the movie, evident they aim to store him up for a plausible sequel. I went in hoping to be delighted, and I was not disappointed.
Embracing Your Heritage
Arthur Curry narrates the story of his life, much like Diana does in Wonder Woman. The events of the movie transpire after the events of Justice League, according to Jason Momoa’s interviews for promoting Aquaman. Arthur Curry is forced to dive deep into the world he was initially denied acceptance in. For the sake of the world he lives in, he then chooses to journey with Mera (princess of Xebel) in the hopes of defeating a power-hungry wannabe dictator. The journey he treads not only introduces him to an assortment of possibilities, but he ultimately finds respite in more ways than one.
I have to start by mentioning Atlantis. What a world! There have been critics claiming Altantis as too bright to be a part of DC but once you’re already underwater, how much gloomier can you get? The colors if you ask me, adequately compliment the underwater scenario.
The Strong Cast Elevates the Film
Momoa does well as the titular hero. There’s a magnetic, movie star quality to the man that makes him instantly likeable.
His Aquaman is a bit more brawny than his comic book counterpart, more interested in drinking, flirting and fighting than embracing his heritage.
I also must mention Mera. Not only does she have stupendous powers, she acts upon actions that she believes to be right instead of simply sitting and talking about it. Arthur and Mera make the ship that I sailed ever since the cartoon network series Justice League Unlimited mostly because of how they would boost each other up unquestionably and I get exactly that in the movie. Kudos to the writers for not changing the angle of the ship. The animation work or CGI work is on fleek and are the tunes for pretty much every major occurrence.
Partrick Wilson as Orm or Ocean Master is great as the conniving power-hungry step brother hell bent on controlling the seven seas. His anger against the surface world is reasonable, if misplaced: he is sick of the environmental damage, and wants the surface dwellers to pay for it. His determination is intense enough for him to display his true nature in front of the army he hopes to accumulate.
His plan to destroy the land above is compelling to King Nereus (played by Dolph Lundgren), King of Xebel until he is convinced to follow the true King of Atlantis based on the myth of the lost trident of King Atlan. Lundgren is effortless as the gullible King of Xebel.
Vulko seems to be the link between the world above and under, Willem Dafoe as is smug and subtle yet his conviction shows through. He has trained both Arthur (unlike the comics) and Orm with the intention of making a King out of those men.
Atlantis with its new array of creatures and mysteries is enchanting to explore, one would think they’ve explored much after Wakanda, Asgard and Themyscira but they would be proven wrong.
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II is wounded and destructive as Black Manta. Compared to the other DC movies like Justice League and Batman v Superman, the direction of the movie never fluctuates, the partition of the events is segregated aptly.
Not Without its Flaws
The pacing is synonymous to big science fiction movies, especially those made by Steven Spielberg. The action sequences were enticing and bold simultaneously. I especially loved the underwater duel between Aquaman and Ocean Master. Lastly Arthur did really take his time to unveil himself as the King that I have respected growing up, but his journey towards it is concrete and understandable.
The bond between the characters was endearing to watch as well. Major points to the team for keeping the heart of the characters intact.
A puzzling moment in the first quarter is when Arthur asks Mera her name even though they had already interacted in Justice League, so I guess it might be safe to assume that he never really got to her name before Aquaman. According to my count James Wan brought in exactly three transitions through blasts or attacks. After the first blast the second blast was somewhat predictable. The third blast however was the most predictable. The blasts or the transitions from one scene to another almost feels comedic. There are also more than enough dialogues that are simply clichés. Apart from the additional sub-plot consisting of Black Manta the movie in all has a classic flare that can be relied upon to amaze because of the help from the majestic VFX work.
The schlocky script and ample CGI can get tiring at times, but there’s plenty of fun to be had, regardless. It’s a fairly self-contained story, which is a refreshing change in the era of the cinematic universe. Currently, Aquaman has grossed more than 800 million dollars worldwide, and at this pace, is slated to cross the one billion mark.
The Verdict
“Aquaman is everything a movie is supposed to be,” said Kevin Smith, director of films such as Clerks and Dogma. “When you put down your two bits or 10 bucks or 20 depending on where you go, you want to escape. Take me somewhere. Show me some shit I’ve never seen before. That’s what you want in a movie. I never made movies like that, I was like I’m going to show you a convenience store, something you saw probably right before you went to the cinema.
Talented filmmakers like James Wan take you diving into the ocean, showing you a world you’ve never seen before. Same way James Gunn, Marvel, owned outer space, took us to space with Guardians of the Galaxy and claimed outer space as their own, James Wan and DC, and Warner Bros. now claimed the seas for themselves with Aquaman.”
Who would have thought that the most successful movie in the DCEU would be the one about a guy who talks to fish?