THE STORY: Once home to the most advanced civilization on Earth, the city of Atlantis is now an underwater kingdom ruled by the power-hungry King Orm. With a vast army at his disposal, Orm plans to conquer the remaining oceanic people — and then the surface world. Standing in his way is Aquaman, Orm’s half-human, half-Atlantean brother and true heir to the throne. With help from royal counselor Vulko, Aquaman must retrieve the legendary Trident of Atlan and embrace his destiny as protector of the deep.
MY REVIEW: I have favorite comics from when I was a kid, and I had favorite cartoons. Though I was NOT an avid reader of the Aquaman comics, I preferred Marvels’ Namor, The Submariner comic books. That doesn’t mean I didn’t read Aquaman comics, I just wasn’t an avid fan of the comic. Now, I totally loved the Aquaman cartoon series, as well as loving his character on Super Friends. So, without a doubt, I have been a big Aquaman fan, since I was a kid. So, I have been excited about seeing this film for a while, and I was NOT disappointed.
The film does a terrific job of both continuing Aquaman’s story post Justice League, but also visits the past and tells the origin story of Arthur Curry/Aquaman. James Wan does a great job of bringing both the past and present together in the end, for an eye popping battle to save Atlanta and the world.
Now, I do have an issue with the almost excess of the eye candy in the film. But, honestly, as soon as I am annoyed by it, I remind myself, “This is a comic book movie, trying to bring that world from the comics to life. So, chill out.” And then I do.
I really enjoyed this film, and am impressed at how fun Wan made it. He allowed his characters and maybe the cast, too, have some fun.
THE CAST: I have been a Jason Momoa fan since 2005, when he joined the cast of Stargate: Atlantis. It made me sad when the filmmakers failed him with that shitty script and film, Conan the Barbarian, because he was PERFECT as Conan. Him getting the role of Arthur Curry/Aquaman was such a coupe, because everyone wanted the classic blonde version, but, no. Again. He was perfect for the part, and though Justice League was not as a big a hit as DC wanted, i thought he stole the show in his scenes. He knocked it out of the park for many fans, myself included. So, his performance in his stand alone film, was stellar. Everyone else in the film was also fantastic. Tim Timuera as Tom Curry, Arthur’s father, is just such a great actor. He popped up on my radar as the bad guy in Six Days and Seven Nights, a year before he would play Jango Fett in Star Wars: Attack of the Clones. Patrick Wilson was uber creepy and slimey as King Orm, the main villain in the film. I love how Patrick can play such nice likeable guys, like in The Conjuring, and turn right around and play evil assholes, like he did in The A-Team movie, and this film. Yahya Abdul-Mateen II was also really good as Manta, a fan favorite Aquaman villain, and I really look forward to him reprising his role in the sequel. Nicole Kidman as Queen Atlanna, Arthur’s mother, and Willem Defoe as Vulko, they are both rock stars, and I loved them in the film, I just wished they’d been in more of it. Lastly is Amber Heard as Mera. She was a shocker, because I didn’t think much of her before this role, and I have to say that I was totally impressed with her performance.
Aquaman is a nearly perfect superhero film. James Wan manages to bring fun back to the DC Universe, and delivers now a second DC film worth its weight in gold, the first being the amazing Wonder Woman film. Aquaman earns a near perfect 9 out of 10 Potatoes. ?????????
