‘Aquaman’ is only surface deep but a lot of fun

Who knew the missing ingredient to all these brooding superhero movies was to just add water? Director James Wan (“Furious 7”) keeps this outrageous spectacle afloat with a seemingly unlimited budget and boundless imagination. But, it’s Jason Momoa who carries this blockbuster with his sheer charisma (and bulging biceps).

It’s refreshing to see an unpretentious champion so upbeat, carefree and taking himself less seriously than other DC comic characters, such as Superman or Batman. We also appreciate a bruiser secure enough within himself to not strut and pose in forced positions to be recognized as a legitimate muscleman. In a local bar, a drunk asks, “You the fish-boy from TV?” Arthur corrects him, “It’s fish-MAN!”

Although Aquaman has appeared alongside other superheroes in two recent pictures, this is the original story that features a half human, half fish from Atlantis. Nicole Kidman co-stars as Atlanna, a mermaid rescued by Tom Curry (Temuera Morrison). They become Aquaman’s parents, naming him Arthur. Filmed in Australia, Kidman was a natural fit, but Morrison was selected for being Momoa’s favorite childhood actor.

The choreographed action heroics are equally entertaining on land or sea, Arthur is called to the ocean depths by Mera (Amber Heard). Apparently, Arthur’s half-brother Orm (Patrick Wilson) is fed up with humans polluting the oceans with reckless disregard. King Nereus (Dolph Lundgren) explains, “Violence has always plagued the surface, they will destroy themselves.” Orm responds, “Not before destroying us first. The time has come for Atlantis to rise again.” It seems that war is a-brewin’.

Mera believes the warmongering is detrimental to all parties. Only Arthur, as the true king, can stop this action. First, Arthur must come to terms with his identity and discover if he is worthy of fulfilling his destiny as king. Mera explains, “You think you’re unworthy to lead because you’re of two different worlds? That’s exactly why you ARE worthy!” On the other hand, Karathen, keeper of the Trident, scolds, “A half-breed mongrel dares to come and take the sacred relic of King Atlan?” Nobody said it would be easy.

The screenplay by David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick and Will Beall is only surface deep and somewhat waterlogged as Arthur Curry shares a lot with Arthur Pendragon. They are both the only ones worthy of the legendary Trident/Excalibur. Each must defeat their evil siblings to save their kingdoms. And both are helped by elder advisors, Vulko (Willem Dafoe) for Arthur Curry and Merlin for Arthur Pendragon.

The production and set pieces are way overblown and never come up for air, but in a good way. The bright undersea kingdoms and marine life create a sense of wonder and amazement. Vulko clarifies, “The ocean is not just our home, it is who we are.” Sounds like he wouldn’t trade it for all the fish in the sea. Unlike “Justice League” where Atlanteans had to talk inside protective speech bubbles, director Wan said, “People are over thinking it, they’re just gonna talk!”

So, this is just a big dumb superhero movie that is shameless and relentless in pandering to kids, as well as adults seeking that old Saturday afternoon matinee. This undersea extravaganza is vibrant, flashy and way too long, but it is also a corny, but dazzling popcorn epic that is simply a lot of fun.

“Aquaman” is 143 minutes and rated PG-13 for sequences of sci-fi violence and action. It’s interesting the threat is not from outer space, but from our own oceans, especially the mythical Atlantis, which always had a king, but now it needs something more. Arthur asks, “What could be greater than a king?” Mera responds, “A hero.”

In what is now DC Comics’ highest grossing movie, Arthur summarizes, “My father was a lighthouse keeper, my mother was a queen. But life has a way of bringing people together. They made me what I am, a son of the land and a son of the seas.” After watching this epic, we believe this could have been called “The Shape of Water!”

Ron’s Rating: B+
Leigh’s Rating: A-

 




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