Aquaman

This review may contain spoilers!

I gave up on DC Comics films almost completely, but this is a film that completely surpasses expectations in every way. I would give Aquaman a 9/10.

This is such a fresh spin on the superhero genre that it draws you in almost immediately, for a long time we've been able to point at one source for quality superhero entertainment and now DC is firmly in the action. Aquaman follows the adventure of Arthur Curry as he comes to accept the responsibilities of his Atlantean heritage and prevent his half-brother, Orm, from destroying the surface world. Aquaman was already established as a standout role in Justice League due to how relatable he was, Arthur feels like someone who understands he has power but doesn't fully accept the ramifications of what that means. Arthur has to learn the significance of not just being from the surface world but what it means to come from the royal Atlantean bloodline and rule. This film really separates itself from past superhero origin/standalone films because it dares to be big even if the focus is upon one character. There is an expansive world on offer undersea and plenty of time is given to exploring history and settings both visually and within the narrative. Even as the film builds towards the climax there is such effort put in to make the underwater war feel grand in scale and altogether impressive. The cinematography boasts exquisite wide shots that flaunt the impressive visual effects and action sequences; you always feel plunged into motion at exactly the right instances too, with the camerawork immersing you into the action. The score is an epic soundscape that sets the adrenaline pumping and manages to mark some truly iconic moments; my personal favourite was listening to Mera's theme which set her apart from the rest of the main cast in a lot of ways.

Amber Heard, who played Mera, is a role that is left to explain a lot about the story and Atlantis and in Heard's hands it feels absolutely enchanting to listen to; this is a character who has a stern determination and carries her own just as much as Mamoa onscreen. Willem Dafoe, who played Vulko, had this calm serene air that made him perfect as the royal advisor; Dafoe did really well at playing a character who was passionate about the betterment of his people and who was a master at manipulating to achieve his ends. Patrick Wilson, who played King Orm, was a radical tyrant who seemed spurred towards war and violence; Wilson made this role his own by making his antagonist seem rather rational in his motives and means of conquest. Nicole Kidman, who played Atlanna, gives a very comedic introduction to the Atlantean characters with a very literal fish out of water scene; however, Kidman's compassionate and kind motherly role was anything but stereotypical and one hundred percent more kickass than any other mother role in a superhero film. Dolph Lundgren, who played King Nereus, presented the gravitas of a royal role; Lundgren did a very good job of outwardly showing a reluctant alliance with Wilson's Orm but secretly harbouring an alignment in motives. Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, who played Manta, crafted a strong antagonist fuelled by a need for venegeance and blood; Abdul-Mateen shows a strong bond with his onscreen father (Beach) and the emotional scene in which son has to leave father to die is one to remember. Temuera Morrison, who played Tom Curry, has a very casual, light-hearted relationship with Mamoa; in a similar way to Mamoa, Morrison uses his cultural background to inform and develop his role in a rich manner. Muchael Beach, who played Jesse, was a very calculating and cunning minor antagonist; Beach developed a role who thought his actions through in sharp contrast to his onscreen son. Julie Andrews, who voiced Karathen, really embodies the ancient strength and power in the creature she plays; the confrontation between her and Mamoa feels charged with power and significance due to Andrews' contribution.

However, the best performance came from Jason Momoa, who played Arthur. Whatever your opinion of Justice League might have been it was very clear that Mamoa's Aquaman was a stand out role and I was really excited to see what he could deliver as a leading role. Mamoa kicks into this role with an incredible display of confidence and bravado that you are immediately thrilled, he manages to embody the sheer display of power a superhuman possesses in his performance alone. The character of Arthur is very much dedicated to being a hero but he is reluctant to embrace his Atlantean heritage and it's interesting to see this degree of indifference evolve into a sense of responsibility. Ultimately Mamoa shows an impressive amount of charisma any time he is onscreen and the way in which he interweaves his Pasifika heritage into the character shows that Mamoa is dedicated to crafting a character all his own.

This film has a rather poorly paced second act, chiefly noteworthy because just as it appears the second act is nearing its end and our heroes are escaping Atlantis they are then sent into a large treasure hunt plot. This sits uncomfortably before the third act yet is probably an extra half an hour of run time. The soundtrack for the filmseriously contrasts the exquisite score, putting a Pitbull song right in the middle of an admittedly decent blockbuster is nothing shy of disappointing.

Randall Park, who played Dr Stephen Shin, is really only in this film to sow the seeds for a sequel and it shows rather explicitly; Park's obtrusive tv interview scenes continuously interrupt the tone of the film. Kaan Guldur, Otis Dhanji and Kekoa Kekumano, who played Young Arthur (Nine Years Old), Young Arthur (Thirteen Years Old) and Young Arthur (Sixteen Years Old) respectively, each present a rather wooden and generic performance that isn't uncommon from younger performers; Kekumano in particular leaves Dafoe to carry him through their scene together.