WhenAquaman and the Lost Kingdompremieres in theaters this holiday season, it will mark the end of an era - specifically, the era of the DC Extended Universe. In the decade since its inception, the DCEU hasoften been the subject of polarizing debate: some films have been received warmly while others haven’t had much luck in the critical or commercial space (or both). But the one film to escape this fate was 2018’sAquaman, directed byJames Wanand starringJason Momoaas the titular hero. Not only isAquamanthe sole DCEU film to cross thebillion-dollar mark at the box office,but it also happens to be the best DCEU installment to date. A large part of that is due to the talented ensemble cast, along with a few other factors that madeAquamanstand out from the pack.
Arthur Curry, the human-born heir to the underwater kingdom of Atlantis, goes on a quest to prevent a war between the worlds of ocean and land.
How Similar Is ‘Aquaman’ to the Comics?
Much like the comics,Aquamanfollowed Arthur Curry (Momoa) as he came to terms with the fact that he was the future King of Atlantis. That lineage covers the entirety of the oceans; anybody who knows anything about geography knows that the oceans cover three-fourths of the earth and are teeming with vast amounts of life. That inspired a wealth of Aquaman comics, andit helped shape the world-building of theAquamanfilm. Wan, alongside screenwritersDavid Leslie Johnson-McGoldrickandWill Beall, created an entire world inspired by theAquamancomics as well as actual sea life. A gladiatorial match between Arthur and his half-brother Orm (Patrick Wilson) takes place in an arena with massive thermal jets, with both combatants wearing armor sculpted from coral. Atlantean soldiers utilize weapons that transform water into superheated plasma beams. There’s even a whole section dedicated to an underground cave teeming with life. But the standout moment of the film features The Trench - a race of monstrous amphibians who crave flesh. The Trench’s all-too-brief appearance inAquamanplays to Wan’s strengths as a horror filmmaker; they are utterly terrifying to behold, while the way they swarm over their prey is all too reminiscent of a zombie movie.
None of this world-building would mean anything if the film didn’t have a strong leading performance. That’s where Momoa comes in. He plays Arthur as a multifaceted character: charming, a little rough around the edges, but fiercely committed to protecting the ones he loves.Momoa perfectly captures Aquaman’s characterization from the comics, including the fact that the sea king is a formidable force. The general public’s exposure to Aquaman was mostly from the oldSuper Friendscartoons, where he was mostly useless unless a mission involved the sea. This led to years of “Aquaman is useless” jokes, but in the comics, Arthur was shown to be a formidable force. His skin is nearly bulletproof and he’s superhumanly strong - essential attributes for surviving the crushing pressures of the ocean. The ability to telepathically communicate with sea life also comes in handy when Arthur rides the Karathen - a massive ancient sea monster - into battle against his brother. The fact that said ancient sea monster is voiced byJulie Andrewsonly adds to the spectacle of the scene and showcases why Aquaman is worthy of his tenure in the Justice League.
One particular run of comics wound up influencing the film -Geoff Johns, whose work shapedmultiple DC adaptations, helped craft the story forAquamanbased on his run with the character. Johns’Aquamancomics brought Arthur Curry back to his roots as an A-List superhero, and introduced multiple elements that show up in the film; the Trench, in particular, was part of his opening arc on theAquamantitle.
Which DC Characters Appear in ‘Aquaman’?
ThoughAquamanhas an intensely magnetic leading man in Momoa,it also contains an amazing ensemble cast. Many of these characters are related to Aquaman in one way or another; the foundation of his feeling torn between land and sea comes from the union of his mother Atlanna (Nicole Kidman) and father Thomas (Temura Morrison). Kidman and Morrison shine in the film’s opening sequence, which centers around Atlanna and Tom’s relationship; it has a warmth to it that most relationships in superhero movies could stand to recover nowadays. Their chemistry is matched only by the back-and-forth between Arthur and Princess Mera (Amber Heard), who accompanies Arthur on his quest to find the trident that will cement his reign as king of Atlantis. One minute they’re trading barbs, the next they’re locking lips;despite a bizarre internet campaignto remove Heard fromAquaman and the Lost KingdomMera will continue to play a role as she and Arthur are now parents.
‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’ Review: The Best and Worst of the DCEU
James Wan ends with DCEU not with a wet fart, but a reminder of what this universe did well and what it did poorly.
As the underwater world ofAquamanunfurls, the audience is introduced to multiple characters.Willem Dafoestands out in particular as Arthur’s mentor Vulko; he brings an Obi-Wan Kenobi-esque flair to his performance that’s wildly different from his turn as the Green Goblin inSam Raimi’sSpider-Manfilms.Dolph Lundgrencuts a rather imposing figure as Mera’s father King Nereus, while Wilson adds layers of complexity to Orm. But the standout performance belongs toYahya Abdul-Mateen IIas Black Manta,who steals the show halfway through the film. Manta is shown as a modern-day pirate who swears vengeance against Aquaman after Arthur leaves his father to die in a failed raid; Orm gives him advanced technology to hunt down Arthur later on. This results in a suit that’s extremely close to the one Manta wears in the comics, with menacing red eyes that fire burning lasers. What makes Manta stand out is the hatred lining every word that Abdul-Mateen speaks; there’s no doubt that he wants Aquaman dead.
Five years after its debut,Aquamanis still worth a watch. It’s not just a great superhero movie, but also a great adventure movie in the vein ofRomancing the Stoneor theIndiana Jonesfilms. With a little under two weeks before its release, it remains to be seen ifAquaman and the Lost Kingdomwill live up to its predecessor.
Aquamanis available to stream on Netflix in the U.S.
Watch on Netflix
