A splashing good time for those looking to have some fun at the cinemas.
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Jason Momoa returns as the aquatic superhero, Aquaman, in the long-awaited sequel Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.
The film set several years after the events of Aquaman (2018), sees Momoa’s Arthur Curry/Aquaman forced to protect Atlantis and his loved ones from devastation after an ancient power is unleashed by David Kane/Black Manta obtaining the cursed Black Trident. In order to achieve this, he will have to seek help from an unlikely ally, his half-brother Orm.
Also returning alongside Momoa are Patrick Wilson, Amber Heard, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, and Nicole Kidman.
Undeniably, a film of its nature is bound to feel bloated. It is especially made appparent here as it suffers from pacing issues in the filmmakers' best efforts to wrap up both its hero and villain’s arcs neatly. It seems director James Wan took the opportunity to include as much as he could–more scenes with Topo the cephalopod sidekick, an underwater Star Wars homage(?)–considering hopes for another follow-up film is futile since the announcement of DC superhero films reboot.
While at times playing out like a convoluted computer-generated mess, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is still a massive splashing good time for those looking to have some fun at the cinemas. If the high-octave action sequences and deep sea sceneries aren't enough to do the trick, then Momoa’s inescapable frat bro energy will. The actor so effortlessly embodies Arthur Curry, there's no telling where Jason ends and Arthur begins.
Aquaman's team-up with Orm is one of the highlights of the film thanks to Momoa and Wilson's performances, making for a good buddy pairing, with Wilson being the stoic voice of reason opposite Momoa’s chaotic vivacity. Orm's innocence of the surface world’s life also lends to some unexpected humour, exuding the same energy of Dave Bautista’s Drax in the Guardians of the Galaxy films.
It’s ironically poetic how Tony Stark’s utterance of “I am Iron Man” kickstarted the Marvel Cinematic Universe while Warner Bros made the choice decision to close the DC Extended Universe with Aquaman ending his speech with “I am Aquaman”. Sad as it may be to see a franchise end before it could properly get anywhere, we’re ready for the new wave come 2025.
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