Bridges Beneath the Surface

“Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” (2023) – movie review
Today’s film review is for the “Aquaman” sequel “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” (2023), again starring Jason Momoa as Arthur Curry / Aquaman, the somewhat reluctant monarch of Atlantis.  Momoa’s Aquaman is joined once again by Patrick Wilson as Orm, the estranged brother whose uneasy alliance forms the film’s emotional spine.  Yahya Abdul-Mateen II reprises his role as Black Manta, the vengeful human adversary wielding a deadly ancient power.  Amber Heard appears in short scenes as Mera, while Nicole Kidman’s Atlanna provides maternal gravitas (also in brief scenes).  Directed by James Wan, the film closes out the DC Extended Universe with a neon-lit spectacle of brotherhood, vengeance, and reluctant kingship.
Background:  This was my first viewing of this sequel.  It is a film I have been waiting on, but “they” just never got around to dropping it to my price point.  They finally did – and here we are.  LoL.  Released in December 2023, “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” is the sequel to the 2018 box office hit “Aquaman” (review here).  Unlike its predecessor, which grossed over $1 billion worldwide, this installment struggled commercially and critically.  This film did not receive / deserve Academy Award nominations, nor did it achieve historic recognition, though it holds “some” significance as the closing chapter of a decade-long cinematic universe.
Plot:  Arthur Curry, now King of Atlantis, faces a new threat when Black Manta uncovers the cursed Black Trident, a weapon tied to an ancient evil.  Driven by vengeance for his father’s death, Manta unleashes ecological devastation across the globe.  To stop him, Aquaman must ally with his imprisoned brother Orm, forging a fragile bond between them.  Their uneasy hero’s quest takes them across oceanic kingdoms, hidden temples, and perilous battles, culminating in a confrontation that tests Arthur’s philosophy: “A true king builds bridges, not walls.”
So, is this movie any good?  How’s the acting?  The filming / FX?  Any problems?  And, did I enjoy the film?  Short answers:  Yes;  mixed;  dazzling but uneven;  several;  yes — with caveats.
Any good?  Yes — but uneven.  The film delivers moments of charm and spectacle, yet suffers from narrative clutter.  As the final DCEU entry, it somehow feels less than a triumphant send-off.  Still, the brotherly dynamic between Arthur and Orm provides thematic depth, elevating the otherwise formulaic plot.
Acting:  Momoa leans fully into his charismatic, wisecracking persona, balancing humor with physical gravitas.  Wilson shines as Orm, offering nuance and reluctant vulnerability.   Abdul-Mateen II’s Black Manta is menacing, though undercut by thin characterization.  Kidman lends dignity, while  Heard’s reduced role leaves Mera sidelined.  Wilson’s, Kidman’s, and Heard’s features have aged since the original and all three have had to be softened with CGI in their close-ups.  This is most noticeable when flashbacks are used to “narrate” the story-line.  The ensemble works best when Momoa and Wilson share the screen, their chemistry grounding the film’s emotional core.
Filming / FX:  James Wan’s direction favors maximalist spectacle:  sprawling underwater battles, bioluminescent landscapes, and kinetic chase sequences.  One “problem” was the underwater battle “felt” reminiscent of the underwater battle in the “G.I. Joe” film series mixed with the melee scenes from the last two “Avengers” movies thrown in for good measure.  Kinda “been there, done that…”  The production design is imaginative, blending comic‑book flamboyance with mythic grandeur.  Yet the CGI is inconsistent — at times breathtaking, at others cartoonish and distracting.  Rupert Gregson-Williams’ score adds heroic resonance but lacks the memorable punch of some other DC entries and it’s own original sound(s).
Problems:  Several and (some) kind of significant.  The film is overstuffed with subplots, from ecological allegory to family drama, all diluting it’s narrative focus.  The “worst” example was the wandering across the “dangerous” island, which felt like it was directly lifted from the “King Kong” (2005) movie.  It was dumb in that film and it was no better here.  The second “big” issue is that the “Manta” villian is just not a worthy opponent – in power-suit or not.  So, of course the film resorts to “Ancient Magic” to beef up his strength.  (But, again, it just really doesn’t work logically, although it’s fine visually.)  There are CGI inconsistencies (camera focus softening and sharpness) which continue to undermine viewer immersion, but I found them much less distracting than in the original.  Go figure…  The sidelining of Mera weakens franchise continuity and I think there must have been some off-screen explanation of which I am unaware.  As the capstone of the DCEU, it delivers a “satisfying” sense of closure.  (IMHO)  That’s not as great a compliment as it might seem as most of the DCEU films have been entertaining (enough), but mostly mediocre films, (at best).  IMHO the exception was “The Dark Knight” trilogy, which I found to be entertaining and pretty good films, too.  (Okay, number three wasn’t that good a “film”…  LoL)
Did I enjoy the film?  Yes — cautiously.  The humor, brotherly banter, and occasional visual splendor make it very watchable.  Although lacking the more direct story-line of the original, I found I enjoyed this film more than the first.  Enjoyment depends on embracing Momoa’s charisma and the film’s visual excess while forgiving structural flaws.
Final Recommendation:  Moderate Recommendation.  The “Problems” section of this review makes the film sound worse than it was.  “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” is not a bad film, but it is not a great one either.  It holds historic significance as the final DCEU installment, yet (IMHO) it lacks the resonance of a true finale.  Watch it for Momoa’s exuberance, Wilson’s reluctant allyship, and the thematic reminder that leadership is about building bridges — especially between competing brothers.
Final Note / Thought:  All five of the main family characters are aging out of these roles, so I believe the DCEU will need to reboot them with different actors if corporate powers want to move this franchise branch forward.
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Click here (31 December) to see the posts of prior years.  I started this blog in late 2009.  Daily posting began in late January 2011.  Not all of the days in the early years (2009-2010) will have posts.

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