“Aquaman” is directed by James Wan and stars Jason Mamoa as Arthur Curry/Aquaman.
Arthur is half-human/half-sea creature, the result of a love relationship between his lighthouse keeper father and Atlanna, the queen of Atlantis, who washed-up on his Maine doorstep. She’s played by 2018’s busiest actress – NicoleKidman. “Aquaman” serves as both origins story and present day feature film. he learns he is the rightful heir to the underwater kingdom of Atlantis. But to do so he must battle Orm/Ocean Master played by Patrick Wilson who seeks out the thrown for his own gain. So it’s basically “Clash of the Titans” in regards to the brothers.
I’m a big fan of James Wan, ever since the original “Saw”,“Insidious” and “Conjuring” franchises and was curious to see how he would handle a big budget comic book film especially a character that hasn’t been in the lime light mainly due to a bad rep.
“Aquaman” is very self aware, over the top and silly at times. They literally throw a bunch of elements from other films at the screen in an explosion of underwater festivities. There are a lot of elements of“Avatar” due to how colorful it was and the amount of creatures on display. It also felt like an underwater “Star Wars” with its battle scenes. It borrows from “Jurassic Park” in terms of the look of a few creatures.
Jason is excellent in this role; he brings so much physicality to it and he does take quite a few hits. The fight scenes are very-well done both hand to hand and the underwater scenes. James Wan does a lot of wide shots so we don’t miss anything.
James Wan seems to be going for a 80s live action cartoon vibe, lots of masculinity and yelling going on with characters holding poses.He even casts Dolph Lundgren in the film he knows what he’s doing.
My main issue has to due with a character’s de-aging. James Wan also directed “Furious 7” and did the same thing with Paul Walkers character and it was very noticeable. Here it was just as bad the character in question has quite a few emotional scenes but the de-aging was so bad it really took away from the scene.
There is also so a major attempt to dig deep in to “Aquaman’s”past as a kid but it felt really rushed. The entire 1st act had the same feel.
Patrice Wilson does well but his character could have been fleshed out more very clichéd. He seems like he could take “Aquaman” down and he does some.
Amber Heard is Mera “Aquaman’s” love interest she is quite fierce, giving a “Little Mermaid” vibe, funny enough there is also an octopus I recall right playing drums latter on yet another “Little Mermaid” element.
PG-13 (for sequences of sci-fi violence and action, and for some language)
REVIEW SCORE/B
