Aquaman

The first half set the scene for a better second half. The second half was 8+ stars, no doubt. They could have been released separately, but it was a bold choice to show it like this. The quick pace definitely took a toll on the story but it's still a good one. Looking forward to seeing where this goes.

Nice CGI (remind me of Avatar..haha)...good story . Better than Justice League....

Everything I saw, read and heard about 'Aquaman' before it came out had me convinced it wouldn't be my cup of tea. My impression was that this would be yet another bloated studio tentpole with cheesy dialog, a generic story and artificial looking CGI. However, once it opened, a passionate film fan I respect a lot started spreading so much obviously genuine enthusiasm for the movie that I eventually got over myself and watched it.

I think it was the moment when Nicole Kidman swallowed a goldfish that I started to suspect I might actually enjoy this movie. That suspicion, however, turned out to be wrong, because I didn't just enjoy it: I ended up ADORING it. The weirdest thing: the film DID contain all those elements I had feared - and yet none of that seemed to matter. It just works. It shouldn't, but it somehow does, which is why I've since come to the conclusion that director James Wan is some sort of genius wizard filmmaker. Don't let the generic superhero tropes and cheesy dialog fool you into thinking this was a typical mainstream movie (though I DO suspect those things managed to fool the studio executives into thinking exactly that: which is probably how James Wan got away with it), because in truth, this is the least generic, most bonkers big budget studio flick I've seen in ages. It's the film 'Valerian' wants to be. It's crazy; it's over-the-top; it's beautifully designed with incredible attention to every little detail in every frame; it doesn't take itself seriously for a second, and yet it fully commits to - and loves - its characters and the world they inhabit.

I was awed, literally awed by the design of the Atlantian society and technology; the worldbuilding and visuals are so distinct and original - which caught me completely off guard, because I didn't expect that in a 200 million studio picture for the masses. When the music score went into full synthesizer mode as "Aquabro" and Mera arrive on the collapsed bridge leading to the underwater city, and the screen virtually explodes with the most colorful creatures and underwater vehicles imaginable, I had a stupid grin on my face out of pure joy and adoration for this stunning display of artistic vision (the stupid grin stayed on my face for the remainder of the movie). And the film didn't let up. 'Aquaman' never loses steam; there's no weak third act (at least in my opinion); the wondrous discoveries and beautiful, unexpected designs and creatures keep coming until the very end. Although it has a very different tone, I was actually reminded of watching 'LOTR: The Return of the King' for the first time.

It's true, 'Aquaman' delivers the typical, clichéd, cheesy superhero tropes in spades, but those generic story beats - some of which were probably demanded by the studio - seem to be all surface; they're not what James Wan (or his characters) are really interested in. It almost seems to me that the director only used those tropes as camouflage to sneak in nods to every film of every genre he ever loved and get really creative with the worldbuilding. His biggest accomplishment, however - the film's greatest strength - is something that only few blockbusters ever achieve: he successfully combines a genuine sense of wonder and awe with complete, unabashed fun.

So, to sum up this review: against my expectations, the superhero film I least expected to like managed to do what not a single superhero movie so far had done for me; it filled me with an urge to immediately see it again, because I was so in love with its bonkers, "everything-but-the-kitchen-sink" approach to filmmaking. Naturally, I now hope James Wan will also direct 'Aquaman 2', as I'm sure if given the chance, next time not even the kitchen sink will be safe.

P.S. (for new IMDb users): In case you don't know whether to trust this review or not, because you have no idea what my tastes in film are, just click on my username - gogoschka-1 - and you'll see what my favorite movies are.

Aquaman (2018) was a fun DC adventure that DC needs, by having fun and having humor instead of staying dark and brooding for each movie. Knowing more about Arthur/Aquaman and the underwater kingdom of Atlantis, while having him rise to be the king of Atlantis with lots of character development by the end of the film.

Jason Momoa is cool and fun as Arthur/Aquaman; he was funny and cool in action scenes both underwater and on land. Once he gets the classic orange and green outfit Aquaman wore back in the day, he looks cool especially when he gets his mighty trident to be king. He seems like someone who does not know much about where he came from, but he tries to help people when he can.

Amber Heard as Mera was not bad, but Mera's red hair looked like a wig sometimes. I like her ability to morph water and use it as a weapon, it is used in fun action scenes and the effects do look cool to watch. Mera and Arthur/Aquaman work well together, and they slowly start having a relationship with each other by the end of the movie. Plus, in certain action scenes I like it when Mera and Arthur fight together when going up against Atlantean soldiers.

One of Aquaman's villains named Black Manta is in the movie, and he was cool to watch; I liked this big fight sequence between Aquaman and Black Manta, which was awesome to watch, but I wish he were used more in the movie or saved for the sequel. The actual villain is Ocean Master played by Patrick Wilson who was a good villain, wanting to rule Atlantis and saying Arthur cannot because he is half Atlantean and half human. The fight between Aquaman and Ocean Master was fun to watch in the third act climax.

The look of Atlantis was pretty, and it had a lot of convincing effects; the sea creatures like sharks or any kind of fish looked convincing, and they are all in a big war, it is very entertaining to watch even if it is dumb. The action scenes have great cinematography being quick with no cuts and zoom ins and outs, especially in a great chase scene in Italy that was incredibly fun to watch. Aquaman (2018) was a fun DC movie that I do recommend watching whenever you have the chance, because it does something different than most DC movies.

What's with the 10 out of 10 reviews? really?. Sure it's probably the best (or second best) DC Justice league era, but that's not difficult. Like all the other offerings, it's overblown, wooden, one dimensional and over reliant on over the top CGI. As a child I was always a DC fan and I want them more than anything to bring this thing together, but Marvel have certainly laid down a tough marker for how it should be and DC still haven't met that challenge. The main thing missing from the film is charm and simplicity, sure Momoa just about saves the day and I think he can develop Aquaman into a loved character, and the film is a step in the right direction. But 10 out of 10 it most certainly isn't.