As we continue with the Christmas film season, or sometimes called the end of the year movie season, we are offered a comic book film that is actually not a Marvel film but a DC comic film. With "Batman", "Superman" and "Venom" are dealt with, DC then offers us an origins film of "Aquaman", the newest jewel in their crown, and I must say, jewel is the perfect word.
This is an action-packed adventure that spans the vast, visually breathtaking underwater world of the seven seas, "Aquaman" with Jason Momoa in the title role. The film reveals the origin in story of half-human, half-Atlantean Arthur Curry and take him on the journey of his lifetime--one that will not only force him to face who he really is, but to discover if he is worthy of who he was born to be...a king.
As the war between his half brother, Orm (Patrick Wilson), who is the King of the sea for now, ignites, Mera (Amber Heard) and Arthur's mentor, Vulko (Willem Dafoe) swim along side of him to combat Arthur's foes so they can overt the war that Orm is attempting to start with the people on land and those under the sea.
Others to round out the cast are Nicole Kidman as Atlanna, Arthur's mother, Dolph Lundgren as King Nereus, Yahya Abdul-Mateen as Manta, Arthur's nemesis, Temuera Morrison as Tom Curry, Arthur's father, Ludi Lin as Captain Murk, Michael Beach as Jesse, Manta's father, Randall Park as Dr. Stephen Shin, Graham McTavish as King Atlan, Leigh Whannell as Cargo pilot and Kekoa Kekumano as Young Arthur (16yrs old).
This was effectively directed by the horror/action king, James Wan ("Stygian" 2000, "Saw" '04, "Dead Silence" '07, "Death Sentence" '07, "Insidious" '10, "The Conjuring" '13, "Insidious: Chapter 2" '13, "Furious 7" '15, "The Conjuring 2" '16) plus TV and shorts. One of my least favorite genres is that of the horror one, which is why I probably hadn't seen a lot of Wan's work, but after I viewed "Furious 7", I felt that I had missed a great deal, because this filmmaker is truly effective. so when I prepared to see this film, I felt that it would be directed with that one two punch that "Furious 7" gave us. He was able to convey to us Momoa's ability to come across as this 'regular guy' that's flawed and down-to-earth. Certainly Momoa did his homework, but his presence on the screen has to go to the direction. It was thoroughly well thought out by writers David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick and Will Beall, based on a story by Geoff Johns, James Wan and Will Beall. "Aquaman" is created by Mort Weisinger and Paul Norris. Usually when a film exceeds a 2 hour running time, I have a tendency to get very fidgety, however this reaching close to a 2 hour and 25 minute running time, this storyline simply moved right along. What really kept this story moving was not only the cohesive, tight script, but Jason Momoa as well. His presence as this confident yet flawed individual with many issues was real as it was entertaining. These writers should collaborates on other films. And the visual effects predominantly designed by ILM (Industrial Light & Magic), MPC (Moving Picture Company) and Framestore, not only enhanced the story, but were absolutely seamless.
If this rocked for you as much as for me, not to worry, there will be a next installment. I know, what a shock, but with a story and cast as this had, I yearn for another one. And make sure you see this on the large since it's in a nifty IMAX and 3D format as well.
Out of 4 Stars: 4 Rated: PG-13 143mins.
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