A Cheeky Changeling -- The Official Ezine of Changeling Press

AT THE MOVIES

by Isy Jordan

AT THE MOVIES

Aquaman
Director: James Wan
Starring: Jason Momoa, Amber Heard, Patrick Wilson, Willem Dafoe, Nicole Kidman, and more...

Arthur Curry learns that he is the heir to the underwater kingdom of Atlantis, and must step forward to lead his people and be a hero to the world.

As an origin story, it's formulaic and predictable. Once we catch up to our hero already in progress, he's faced with a situation that is also formulaic and predictable. There's nothing new or intriguing here. If you're there to ogle Jason Momoa or Amber Heard, proceed. If you're there to learn about the intriguing origins of the hero known as Aquaman, as long as you are prepared for a story with the depth of a Saturday morning cartoon with all the predictability, unimaginative dialogue, and mediocre acting, proceed. If you came for a movie that's well written, with strong dialogue and a compelling story, revisit Black Panther.

As a huge comic fan, this is hard for me to write. I'm also a fan of James Wan who has directed fascinating, successful, well-crafted films like The Conjuring, Insidious, and more. We expected better than this and it makes the true superhero fan a little nervous. Is this what we can expect now? Paying to see a movie that's cookie-cutter and unoriginal just because it's DC or Marvel? At least the Russo brothers can give us dark, unsettling storylines as they did in Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Captain America: Civil War. It would have been nice to see something intriguing here. Even talents like Nicole Kidman, Patrick Wilson, and Willem Dafoe couldn't save this movie.

On the other hand, if you don't expect a lot, and just want a fun film like Guardians of the Galaxy or Thor: Ragnarok, you'll be just fine.

At 143 minutes, it's long which is why I'd recommend waiting for video on this one. It's rated PG-13 but there's really nothing too distressing for the younger set save for some mild battle scenes, most of which take place in the ocean. Die hard fans of DC, I know you'll see this anyway and I apologize. I wish I had better words. For the rest of you, wait and see this on video or Netflix.

Isy