Aquaman - Review
Director: James Wan
Cast: Jason Momoa, Amber Heard, Patrick Wilson, Willem Defoe, Dolph Lundgren, Yaha Abdul-Mateen II, Nicole Kidman
After a muted introduction in Justice League (2017), Aquaman receives his first solo outing in the aptly titled Aquaman. Having received an enthusiastic response from fans and staggering box-office returns, the film is certainly making waves - but is it for all the right reasons?
Half-Antlantean, half-human Aquaman (Momoa), aka Arthur Curry, is beckoned to the underwater city of Atlantis when his half-brother King Arm (Wilson) forms a plan to conquer all of sea's kingdoms and the surface. With help and guidance from warrior Mera (Heard) and royal counsellor Vulko (Defoe), Aquaman must retrieve the missing Trident of Atlan and embrace his destiny.
After Aquaman's very underwritten and underwhelming presence in the hot mess that was Justice League, the character thankfully comes into his own and establishes a more layered personality in his stand alone feature. He is a beer-swigging rogue who uses his powers to thwart pirates but rejects the responsibilities of his royal lineage that await him back in Atlantis. Arthur is still resentful of the underwater kingdom that his mother was once the Queen of, believing that she was sacrificed and killed for her crimes against Atlantis. However, when Ocean Master Orm declares war on the surface, Arthur recognises that only he can prevent the impending conflict and with some coaxing from Mera and Vulko, he attempts to become the leader that is his birth right.
His personal growth over the course of the film is inspired by the time that he spends with Mera and both characters are presented as equal and instrumental in their mutual survival and advancement in their journey to secured the legendary Trident of Atlan. Their goal to scupper Orm's plans is what moves them forward but they steal moments to learn more about each other's worlds, ultimately shaping their preconceived perceptions, and form a genuine connection that results in a mounting romantic tension.
This dynamic aside, Aquaman unfortunately suffers from a cliched and clumsily scribed script that becomes a chore to endure. The attempts at humour feel squarely aimed at a younger audience and most jokes will fall flat with those in their mid-teens and beyond. The dialogue is often cheesy and inducing of eye-rolls and there are far too many unexpected explosions that suddenly interrupt the most charged or even casual of interactions. We know war and villainy care very little for decorum but the frequency of the explosions feels like a cheap and easy ploy rather than a thoughtful device to propel the narrative. However just as we are about to become weary of the overlong runtime and tiresome tropes, the film's third act - a mammoth underwater battle involving the seven kingdoms - is one of the most exciting acts in a superhero film in recent memory. The deep sea finale is truly riveting and shows that director James Wan has a strong command on the property.
Although a firm grasp on tone is never established and the script required much more attention, Aquaman possesses majestic visuals and a show-stopping third act thanks to James Wan's exceptional direction.
EB
Cast: Jason Momoa, Amber Heard, Patrick Wilson, Willem Defoe, Dolph Lundgren, Yaha Abdul-Mateen II, Nicole Kidman
After a muted introduction in Justice League (2017), Aquaman receives his first solo outing in the aptly titled Aquaman. Having received an enthusiastic response from fans and staggering box-office returns, the film is certainly making waves - but is it for all the right reasons?Half-Antlantean, half-human Aquaman (Momoa), aka Arthur Curry, is beckoned to the underwater city of Atlantis when his half-brother King Arm (Wilson) forms a plan to conquer all of sea's kingdoms and the surface. With help and guidance from warrior Mera (Heard) and royal counsellor Vulko (Defoe), Aquaman must retrieve the missing Trident of Atlan and embrace his destiny.
After Aquaman's very underwritten and underwhelming presence in the hot mess that was Justice League, the character thankfully comes into his own and establishes a more layered personality in his stand alone feature. He is a beer-swigging rogue who uses his powers to thwart pirates but rejects the responsibilities of his royal lineage that await him back in Atlantis. Arthur is still resentful of the underwater kingdom that his mother was once the Queen of, believing that she was sacrificed and killed for her crimes against Atlantis. However, when Ocean Master Orm declares war on the surface, Arthur recognises that only he can prevent the impending conflict and with some coaxing from Mera and Vulko, he attempts to become the leader that is his birth right.
His personal growth over the course of the film is inspired by the time that he spends with Mera and both characters are presented as equal and instrumental in their mutual survival and advancement in their journey to secured the legendary Trident of Atlan. Their goal to scupper Orm's plans is what moves them forward but they steal moments to learn more about each other's worlds, ultimately shaping their preconceived perceptions, and form a genuine connection that results in a mounting romantic tension.
This dynamic aside, Aquaman unfortunately suffers from a cliched and clumsily scribed script that becomes a chore to endure. The attempts at humour feel squarely aimed at a younger audience and most jokes will fall flat with those in their mid-teens and beyond. The dialogue is often cheesy and inducing of eye-rolls and there are far too many unexpected explosions that suddenly interrupt the most charged or even casual of interactions. We know war and villainy care very little for decorum but the frequency of the explosions feels like a cheap and easy ploy rather than a thoughtful device to propel the narrative. However just as we are about to become weary of the overlong runtime and tiresome tropes, the film's third act - a mammoth underwater battle involving the seven kingdoms - is one of the most exciting acts in a superhero film in recent memory. The deep sea finale is truly riveting and shows that director James Wan has a strong command on the property.
Although a firm grasp on tone is never established and the script required much more attention, Aquaman possesses majestic visuals and a show-stopping third act thanks to James Wan's exceptional direction.
EB
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