{"id":1300,"date":"2018-12-22T09:26:00","date_gmt":"2018-12-22T08:26:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.senses.se\/en\/review-aquaman\/"},"modified":"2025-06-16T19:19:03","modified_gmt":"2025-06-16T17:19:03","slug":"review-aquaman","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.senses.se\/en\/review-aquaman\/","title":{"rendered":"Review: Aquaman"},"content":{"rendered":"

DC Extended Universe<\/strong><\/a> is the counterpart to the Marvel Cinematic Universe,<\/strong> exemplified by films like Avengers: Infinity War<\/a><\/strong>. However, Marvel’s successes are frequent, while DC’s successful entries are comparatively rare. The critically panned Justice League,<\/strong><\/a> released previously, had some redeeming qualities, notably Jason Momoa’s<\/strong> portrayal of Aquaman<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Arthur (Jason Momoa)<\/strong> possesses a unique lineage. His mother, Atlanna (Nicole Kidman),<\/strong> is the Queen of Atlantis, and his father, Tom Curry (Temuera Morrison),<\/strong> is a human lighthouse keeper. Arthur has spent his life on land, yet received training from Vulko (Willem Dafoe)<\/strong>, dispatched from Atlantis to instruct him in Atlantean martial arts. Atlanna was compelled to return to Atlantis and marry King Nereus (Dolph Lundgren)<\/strong>. They have a son, King Orm (Patrick Wilson)<\/strong>. King Orm is a cunning adversary who seeks to initiate a war against the surface world. The only obstacle in his path is his half-brother, Arthur Curry, also known as Aquaman<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Had Warner Bros. adopted a more strategic approach, releasing Aquaman<\/em> before the poorly received Justice League<\/em> would have been advantageous. Arthur “Aquaman”<\/em> Curry’s brief appearance in Atlantis during Justice League<\/em> creates a narrative inconsistency. The origin story, which presents his return home as a first-time event, is undermined by his prior visit.<\/p>\n

Director James Wan<\/strong> faced the challenge of establishing his vision within the framework established by Zack Snyder<\/strong>. He largely succeeds, shifting away from the contrived darkness often associated with DC films, opting for a more lighthearted tone. However, this levity occasionally becomes excessive.<\/p>\n

A significant issue with Aquaman<\/strong> lies in its reliance on computer-generated imagery. The underwater scenes often appear digitally rendered and lack realism, diverting attention from the dialogue. The excessive use of CGI, particularly on hair and bodies, results in a lack of detail and facial distortion due to water effects. While the underwater battles are visually impressive, the absence of tangible elements diminishes their impact.<\/p>\n

In contrast, the above-water battles are more visually appealing. The action sequence set in Italy stands out as a highlight. Generally, the scenes occurring above the water’s surface are well-executed, which is somewhat ironic for a film centered on an aquatic superhero. Despite this, the over-reliance on digital effects persists, even in settings where practical elements could have been utilized.<\/p>\n

Jason Momoa<\/strong>‘s performance is the film’s saving grace. His charisma elevates the material, and without him, the film would be significantly less engaging. Amber Heard<\/strong>, as the love interest, delivers a somewhat unremarkable performance, portraying a character with limited depth. Temuera Robinson<\/strong>, the veteran New Zealand actor, portrays the father, Tom Curry<\/strong>, and his early scenes with Nicole Kidman<\/strong>, who plays Atlanna<\/strong>, are compelling, characterized by warmth and humor. Despite some noticeable digital de-aging, their performances are believable. Patrick Wilson<\/strong> portrays the villain, Orm<\/strong>. He is motivated by a complex rooted in his mother’s affection for Arthur. Manta<\/strong>, portrayed by Yahya Abdul-Mateen II<\/strong>, serves as the secondary antagonist. Manta is a more compelling villain, although his conclusion feels somewhat rushed. Viewers should be sure to check the end credits for information on possible future Aquaman<\/em> installments. However, Warner Bros. has largely restructured its DC Extended Universe<\/em>, with Henry Cavill<\/strong> and Ben Affleck<\/strong> stepping down from their roles as Superman<\/strong> and Batman<\/strong>, respectively.<\/p>\n

Overall, Aquaman<\/strong> is an entertaining popcorn movie and ranks among the better films in the DCEU<\/strong>, alongside Wonder Woman.<\/strong> However, the DCEU’s overall quality is such that its best films barely surpass the lower tier of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. At 2 hours and 23 minutes, Aquaman<\/strong> is also excessively long. Warner Bros.<\/strong> possesses the rights to iconic characters but consistently underdelivers. A strategic reassessment is crucial, as opportunities for course correction are diminishing.<\/p>\n