Title: AQUAMAN
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Directors: James Wan
Starring: Jason Momoa, Amber Heard, Willem Dafoe, Patrick Wilson, Dolph Lundgren, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, and Nicole Kidman
Runtime: 2 hours 23 minutes
Release date: December 21st (USA)
What It Is: A solo story delving more into the origin of Aquaman who we last saw in 2017’s JUSTICE LEAGUE movie. From how his parents (Temuera Morrison and Nicole Kidman) met, to his training under the tutelage of Willem Dafoe, to his eventual fight to reclaim the throne that belonged to his parents.
What We Think: Most of the DC Universe movies up until WONDER WOMAN were really dark, but this movie is definitely not dark to the degree that most of the previous movies were.
Jason Momoa was terrific as Arthur Curry / the eventual king of the seas, Aquaman. His portrayal was comedic at times, but serious when he needed to be.
Patrick Wilson (who was previously in one of my favorite comic book adapations, WATCHMEN) was terrific as the main nemesis to Momoa’s Aquaman.
Of course, we couldn’t get away without talking about how well Amber Heard did as the eventual love interest for Curry, she was more than able to hold her own in the movie.
The rest of the main cast including Dafoe as Nuidis Vulko, Lundgren as Nereus, and Kidman as Arthur Curry and Orm’s mother, Atlanna all did terrific in their portrayals of some of the more notable residents of the underwater kingdom.
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as the secondary nemesis in the movie, Black Manta, was good, but his arc in the movie was mostly unnecessary except to set up a sequel.
The visuals, especially the underwater scenes, were absolutely gorgeous, and James Wan’s did a great job directing a blockbuster comic book movie unlike anything we’ve seen from the DC Universe movies to date.
The choreographed fight scenes towards the end of movie felt like they were right out of a comic book in terms of action.
Oh, and the nods to the cartoon / comic book including the yellow and green suit, and Aquaman made me chuckle.
Oh, and there is one mid-credit scene, which begins at around 5 minutes into the credits.
Our Grade:4/5
