Black Manta seeks revenge on Aquaman for his father's death. Wielding the Black Trident's power, he becomes a formidable foe. To defend Atlantis, Aquaman forges an alliance with his imprisoned brother. They must protect the kingdom.
Aquaman and The Lost Kingdom, directed by James Wan, stands at a pivotal juncture in the DC Universe, serving as the concluding chapter for Justice League characters before a planned reboot. The film, although visually captivating, grapples with a plot that echoes similarities to Marvel's Thor Ragnarok, and at times feels like a placeholder than its
own valid story.
own valid story.
The narrative revolves around Arthur Curry (Jason Momoa), King of Atlantis, facing an attack on his kingdom that forces him to collaborate with his deposed brother, former King Orm (Patrick Wilson). This sibling rivalry forms one of the more enjoyable threads in the movie, offering a refreshing standalone adventure. Unfortunately, the film struggles with an overlong and visually cluttered experience that prioritizes special effects over storytelling.
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, playing the villain Black Manta, is poorly served with limited speeches and character development. The film introduces three major plotlines, including the brotherly conflict, a revenge subplot, and the weaponization of Climate Change. The attempt to merge real-world concerns with a comic book storyline feels like a contortion, reminiscent of Man of Steel's unsuccessful endeavour.
James Wan's direction relies heavily on CGI effects, providing aesthetically pleasing visuals for the audience. Jason Momoa exudes an easy charisma, although his comedic prowess is not his strongest suit. The dynamic between Momoa's Arthur Curry and Wilson's Orm drives the narrative forward, with Wilson serving as a perfect straight man to Momoa's himbo vibe.
The movie, however, falls short in creating high stakes, leaving the audience with a sense that the plot is merely biding time. While Momoa's playful nature adds a layer of fun, the one-dimensional villains and underutilized characters, including Mera and Aquaman's mum (Nicole Kidman), contribute to the film's shortcomings.
The plot's simplicity and straightforwardness, coupled with an overreliance on CGI, further highlight the lack of depth in the storyline. Despite the entertaining moments, Aquaman and The Lost Kingdom fails to establish memorable elements that would linger in the audience's minds beyond a month.
One perplexing aspect of the film is the inconsistent portrayal of Aquaman's family life. The initial montage depicting Arthur Curry as a new dad and ruler of Atlantis largely excludes Mera, his wife, and mother of his child. This inconsistency in editing creates confusion and disrupts the coherence of the narrative.
While the dynamic between Wilson and Momoa provides occasional moments of laugh-out-loud comedy, it proves insufficient to compensate for the film's overall lack of focus. The movie's entertaining aspects are overshadowed by its disjointed storytelling, preventing it from being a memorable or highly recommended experience.
The underwater world, a distinctive feature of Aquaman's universe, struggles to resonate with surface dwellers, and the attempts to create global problems appear disconnected. The montages depicting travel between locations fail to establish a cohesive world, hindering the buildup of stakes and tension.
Aquaman and The Lost Kingdom recycles many elements from its predecessor, including a quest leading to a secret lair in the desert and the discovery of a mysterious island. While the film incorporates clever action moments, it succumbs to the superhero movie tendency of overwhelming scenes with faceless villains, detracting from the main characters.
Aquaman and The Lost Kingdom emerges as an entertaining yet unfocused and unnecessary addition to the superhero genre. The film's visual appeal, charismatic performances, and sporadic moments of humour are marred by a lack of narrative depth, recycled elements, and an inability to create a cohesive and compelling world. While it may offer a fun watch, it ultimately fails to leave a lasting impression or warrant enthusiastic recommendations.
As the DC Universe undergoes a reboot, Aquaman and The Lost Kingdom serves as a transitional chapter, closing the door on one era of Justice League characters, paving the way for the introduction of a new set of heroes.
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom was released in NZ cinemas on December 26, 2023