Aquaman (2023)

In the vast tapestry of DC Extended Universe movies, which seem to be reaching their peak in spectacular fashion, there emerges a singular hero, a splash of irreverent charm amid the epic battles and grim narratives. This specific character is none other than Aquaman, portrayed with unparalleled brilliance by Jason Momoa.

In cinematic territory that often leans toward the serious and grave, Momoa’s rendition of Arthur Curry transforms the stoic half-human prince (and eventual king) of Atlantis into a strong, long-haired, alcoholic, high-fiving, laugh-out-loud Is.

Movie Storyline

The loving comrade who curiously mirrors the real-life personality of a certain Jason Momoa. It’s as if Momoa’s Aquaman not only rules over an underwater kingdom but also reigns supreme as the unrivaled champion of light-hearted fun in the superhero universe.

Wading through a cinematic quagmire reeking of adversity, one can’t help but yearn for Aquaman’s trident-wielding intervention.

It’s a tricky situation for the aquatic superhero to navigate with his distinctive blend of swagger and sea-worthy skills. Yet, amidst the tumultuous narrative, an icon of cinematic genius emerges – Jason Momoa, the de facto anchor that keeps this cinematic ship afloat. Preserves.

Momoa transcends the boundaries of conventional chivalry, embodying an alpha-cool charisma that flirts with the edge of jerkishness, reminiscent of a maverick action star with a penchant for breaking molds. Yet, beneath the rugged exterior hides a character, and by extension, an actor, who reassures the audience of fundamental decency, a moral compass that can’t be ignored if it goes too far into the murky waters of excess. Gets rearranged again.

Momoa’s on-screen presence isn’t just about alpha-cool bravado; it’s a nuanced performance that crosses a spectrum of emotions with startling dexterity.

From delivering smart-aleck running commentary on the movie he inhabits to shedding actual tears, or letting out screams of anguish and vengeful rage, Momoa dances across the emotional landscape as if he’s participating in a silent-movie melodrama, complete with a poignant title card.

In a cinematic universe full of challenges, it’s Momoa’s multifaceted portrayal that emerges as the shining gem, making the journey not only bearable but thrilling, much like the turbulent seas that Aquaman calls home.

In a seamless symphony of self-awareness, Jason Momoa expertly orchestrates the cinematic experience, ensuring that the audience is never burdened with self-consciousness. Rather than induce emotional turmoil, Momoa deftly guides the audience from one scene (or mode) to the next, creating a narrative tapestry that feels remarkably cohesive.

Adding a familial layer to the superhero saga, our hero, portrayed by Momoa, grapples with the challenges of parenthood with his wife Mera, played by Amber Heard.

The inclusion of his newborn son leads to Pixar-style, sleepless nights-inducing jokes, and Momoa’s movie star prowess is reaffirmed by the genuine belly laughs derived from the adorable bundle of joy. However, the other jewel in the film’s crown lies in Momoa’s dynamic chemistry with co-star Patrick Wilson, reprising his role as Arthur’s half-brother Orm Marius, the Ocean Master.

Starcast Performance

Wilson channels a bygone era, highlighting the quality of Van Heflin that adds a unique, timeless flavor to his character. As dry as only a man can play a sea-dwelling humanoid, Wilson’s Orm exists in a humorless bubble, oblivious to the concept of jokes.

This apparent contradiction makes him the ideal foil for Momoa’s Arthur Curry, who refers to Orm as “little brother” despite the tumultuous history between them.

Wilson’s portrayal brings a strange charm to Orm, a character who never jokes and appears unaware of the existence of humor. This sets the stage for Momoa’s delightful interplay as Arthur, who has an air of infuriating recklessness, barreling through life, overcoming obstacles with seemingly carefree grace, and smiling at Orm as if every chaotic exodus was part of a grand plan.

The dynamic between the two stepbrothers becomes a captivating dance, adding layers of complexity and entertainment to the superhero narrative.

In this aquatic sequel, directed by returning maestro James Wan and written by David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick, the pair waste no time on elaborate story setup or complex justifications for the absence of the first film’s supporting cast.

Temuera Morrison and Nicole Kidman as Arthur’s parents, and Dolph Lundgren as Mera’s father, Nereus, are neither sidelined nor burdened with contrived reasons for staying out of the spotlight. Instead, the narrative boldly puts Jason Momoa and Patrick Wilson in the spotlight, allowing them to carry the cinematic weight with charisma and enthusiasm.

Nearly two-thirds of the sequel’s runtime unfold as a dynamic interplay between Arthur and Orm, descending into the realm of argumentative friends on a mission. The narrative contains elements of reconciliation between estranged brothers, the path to salvation, life lessons learned, and admitting wrongdoings to pave the way for growth.

While undoubtedly entertaining, the film doesn’t quite reach the lofty heights of greatness achieved by its predecessor. The unbridled grandeur and obvious melodrama of the original are notably absent, replaced by a sense of chaotic complexity that hints at potential chaos behind the scenes.

Direction and Production

It’s as if some scenes, originally meant for full-length glory, went through a tumultuous journey of pulverization and restructuring in the editing room to ensure coherence for audiences and exhibitors alike.

The opening montage narrated by Aquaman appears to be a strategic maneuver, removing precious minutes from the runtime, swiftly clearing the throat of scene-setting and exposition, and plunging the audience straight into the center of the action.

In doing so, the film speeds up moments where the brothers deal with trouble, work through their complicated relationship, and more in a chaotic symphony of toppling statues, killing giant insects, and crushing opponents with laser guns.

The result is a fun cinematic adventure that, despite not quite reaching the pinnacle of greatness, manages to carve out its own place in the vast ocean of superhero movies. As my viewing companion and I emerged from the cinematic depths, a question hung in the air: “How many effects do you think they put into this?”

This was a question I didn’t dare assess, as the film wears its affection for the myriad influences set at sea on its sleeve.

In the bold spirit of disclosure, the narrative compliments “Star Wars,” channeling epic space opera vibes, as well as the fantastical journeys of Jules Verne and H.P. Lovecraft. It has a distinct echo of Peter Jackson’s grandeur, particularly reminiscent of the monumental “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, tinged with a sprinkling of cybernetic charm from the “Matrix” movies — Sentinel bots and all.

Should we watch this movie?

The cinematic tapestry doesn’t stop there; It was generously donated by H.G. Wells’ timeless tales, culminating in a spectacular action set-piece where Arthur and Orm face off against a tripod machine straight out of “War of the Worlds.”

The pair embark on a visually stunning journey through a kaleidoscope of settings, from a mysterious graveyard inspired by Mario Bava’s “Planet of the Vampires” to a secret underwater lair ingeniously crafted from the remains of pirate ships.

Yet, the pièce de résistance is set on a volcanic island filled with green-goo-mutated flora and fauna – a scene that feels like a creation that Ray Harryhausen might have meticulously stop-motion animated in the ’60s.

(By the way, if you haven’t already introduced young minds to Harryhausen’s charming fantasy adventure “Mysterious Island,” based on the novel by H.G. Wells, it’s an absolute delight.) In this aquatic odyssey, the film doesn’t just point to its effects; It embraces them wholeheartedly, creating a visual feast that pays homage to the rich tapestry of speculative fiction through the ages.

In the transition from 3-D screening to a 2-D arena, the mix of CGI and tangible locations is expected to tone down its slightly cartoony sheen. Still, even in my 3-D experience, the fine detail work stood out, especially in the sponge-esque non-human characters that populate this aquatic realm.

Imagine a talking crawfish king and a dutiful octopus, serving as quirky companions in search of our fearless brethren. The Octopus, in particular, becomes Atlantis’s messenger, dutifully providing updates on the duo’s progress, adding a whimsical touch to the narrative.

While James Wan can’t quite replicate the rooftop-jumping action sequence from the first “Aquaman,” he weaves a tapestry of admirable sequences in this installment.

Yomovies Conclusion

Each action piece is choreographed, framed, and edited with Wan’s characteristic clarity, even when the camera shakes like an astronaut during liftoff. Some scenes pan out from a distance, presenting our speckle-sized heroes racing through vast expanses filled with giant creatures, complex machines, armored warriors, jagged rocks, and the contrasting elements of fire and ice.

The ensemble cast, including Kidman, Morrison, Lundgren, Abdul-Mateen, and others, demonstrates an unrelenting commitment to the narrative. Still, one can’t help but wonder how much richer the film would have been if these supporting players had been seamlessly integrated into the mix rather than included.

Still, this cinematic journey is undeniably a fun ride. Like its hero, the film triumphs in spite of itself, presenting a big-budget fantasy that skillfully knows what not to do and when to bring the farce to a satisfying halt. There’s a certain charm to a blockbuster that accepts its limitations and knows when to say goodbye to extravagance.

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