The focus here is on action and fun, sensory overload and epic set-pieces. The sequences set within Atlantis (and other underwater kingdoms) are mind-melting, colour-infused spectacles that demand bigscreen viewing.Ĭriticisms can be laid at Aquaman – leaden expository dialogue, a couple of incongruous soundtrack choices, slapdash ADR work and a few gags that fall to the ocean floor – but the film swats them away with ease. Equally important, however, is the peerless CGI work and set design.

What follows is a largescale fantasy flick with a quest narrative, that at times echoes the Indiana Jones series and LOTR, and mixes Julie Andrews voicing a sea monster with battle sequences crammed with laser cannons and giant crabs.Īn obvious star of the show is Momoa, who has effortless charisma and the acting chops to carry off Aquaman’s progression from beer-swilling, care-free superhero free agent to the King of the Seven Seas. We then skip to the post- Justice League world to witness a grown-up Arthur/Aquaman saving a submarine from pirates – inspiring his nemesis Black Manta in the process – before being tracked down by princess Mera (Amber Heard), who wants him to return to the sea kingdom and claim his right to the throne before his evil half-brother Orm (Patrick Wilson) instigates a war on the ‘surface world’. But no sooner are they celebrating the birth of young Arthur than some pesky Atlantean troops show up to capture Atlanna (cue the first of many well-constructed action beats from director James Wan), leaving the young ‘half-breed’ to be raised by his father.

Plot-wise, we’re in origin territory of sorts, beginning with a brief recap of how Aquaman’s mother, Atlanna, Queen of Atlantis (Nicole Kidman), fled the underwater kingdom and began a relationship with the kindly lighthouse keeper who rescued her, Thomas Curry (Temuera Morrison). It’s a thrilling, fast-paced adventure that offers some of the operatics of other DC Extended Universe flicks but works entirely as a standalone piece. And the good news is this day-glo blockbuster swims rather than sinks. After his proper introduction in 2017’s Justice League, soggy superhero Aquaman (Jason Momoa) gets his own vehicle.

Aquaman instaling