Aquaman
3/4
Starring: Jason Momoa, Amber Heard, Patrick Wilson, Willem Dafoe, Temuera Morrison, Nicole Kidman
Rated PG-13 for Sequences of Sci-Fi Violence and Action, and for Some Language
By all accounts I should be incredibly enthusiastic about "Aquaman." It looks great, James Wan is a great director, the action is fun, and it isn't afraid to draw outside the lines (as far as any film with a $160 million price tag will allow). Had it been released 10 years ago, I would have been. But the film suffers from awful 3D and despite top talent, can't overcome what has been plaguing summers at the multiplex for the past 10 years: superhero fatigue. If James Wan can't breathe new life into a genre, it's time to retire it.
Arthur Curry (Momoa) is secretly moonlighting as a superhero in his free time. His identity is an open secret, because everyone is talking about the "fish man" who can breathe underwater, swim really fast, and is super strong. You see, he was born to a lighthouse keeper named Tom (Morrison) and Atlanna (Kidman), queen of Atlantis. But to save her family, Atlanna had to return to the sea and face her forced marriage and execution. Before she died, she gave birth to Arthur's half-brother Orm (Wilson), who believes that Atlantis, once the rulers of Earth, should reclaim their superiority of the surface world. Opposing him are Mera (Heard), his sister, and Vulko (Dafoe), Orm's advisor who has secretly been training Arthur since he was young for this very reason. When Orm begins his assault on the surface world, it's up to Arthur to take him down and reclaim his rightful place as king of Atlantis.
In broad strokes, "Aquaman" doesn't break any new ground (unless it's "Deadpool," there isn't much soil left to till). For example, Arthur is well aware of his origins and his powers by the time the film starts, and Wan spends as little time as possible on the "origin" scenes. Unfortunately, moments like these are few in the humdrum nature of the genre that just won't die. And the cyclical nature of the plot gets annoying. Just as the story gathers momentum, it's interrupted by an attack. They're all alike: the wall explodes, the heroes are knocked off their feet, and the fight begins. Usually it's Orm's minions, but occasionally it's from Black Manta, a secondary villain that ties into Momoa's first action scene. This character is wrong, wrong, wrong. Played blandly by newcomer Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and with a costume and dialogue that are so bad it would have been laughed off the Adam West "Batman" show, Black Manta grinds the film to a halt whenever he appears. He serves almost no purpose and the film grinds to a halt whenever he appears on screen.
Jason Momoa is not a traditional choice for a superhero. With his shaggy appearance and fierce eyes, he seems more like a villain than a hero. But he has the pecs and the presence to pull it off. It's not a great performance, but it's certainly serviceable. His co-star isn't at his rather limited level, but she's not bad. Patrick Wilson is a daring choice for a villain. Having built a career as an affable character actor, he's a big risk for Warner Bros. But Wilson pulls it off, and is the best thing in the movie. He's strong and intense. It's a new side of the actor, who continues to broaden his range. Willem Dafoe and Dolph Lundgren provide reliable support. Criminally underrated New Zealand actor Temuera Morrison makes the most of a limited role, although he does get the chance to lock lips with Nicole Kidman, so hats off to him. I do have to admit that, as easy going as Tom is, I did wince a little when I saw him drink beer (and get totally blitzed as well). But he's not Jake Heke. As for Ms. Kidman, well, if she's in the movie, don't ask questions. And yes, she does get to kick some major ass.
Ever since he arrived on the film scene with his sleeper horror hit "Saw," James Wan has quickly risen in the ranks to become a premier popcorn filmmaker. He has an eye for visuals but is also a good writer and director of actors. Wan makes the most of this tired material and gives us as much as he can. But not even he can really rescue a genre that has been beating a dead horse for the past ten years. It looks great and has a lot of energy, but I really can't muster much enthusiasm for it. I was entertained, so I'm recommending it, but it's time to put the superheroes to rest.
Starring: Jason Momoa, Amber Heard, Patrick Wilson, Willem Dafoe, Temuera Morrison, Nicole Kidman
Rated PG-13 for Sequences of Sci-Fi Violence and Action, and for Some Language
By all accounts I should be incredibly enthusiastic about "Aquaman." It looks great, James Wan is a great director, the action is fun, and it isn't afraid to draw outside the lines (as far as any film with a $160 million price tag will allow). Had it been released 10 years ago, I would have been. But the film suffers from awful 3D and despite top talent, can't overcome what has been plaguing summers at the multiplex for the past 10 years: superhero fatigue. If James Wan can't breathe new life into a genre, it's time to retire it.
Arthur Curry (Momoa) is secretly moonlighting as a superhero in his free time. His identity is an open secret, because everyone is talking about the "fish man" who can breathe underwater, swim really fast, and is super strong. You see, he was born to a lighthouse keeper named Tom (Morrison) and Atlanna (Kidman), queen of Atlantis. But to save her family, Atlanna had to return to the sea and face her forced marriage and execution. Before she died, she gave birth to Arthur's half-brother Orm (Wilson), who believes that Atlantis, once the rulers of Earth, should reclaim their superiority of the surface world. Opposing him are Mera (Heard), his sister, and Vulko (Dafoe), Orm's advisor who has secretly been training Arthur since he was young for this very reason. When Orm begins his assault on the surface world, it's up to Arthur to take him down and reclaim his rightful place as king of Atlantis.
In broad strokes, "Aquaman" doesn't break any new ground (unless it's "Deadpool," there isn't much soil left to till). For example, Arthur is well aware of his origins and his powers by the time the film starts, and Wan spends as little time as possible on the "origin" scenes. Unfortunately, moments like these are few in the humdrum nature of the genre that just won't die. And the cyclical nature of the plot gets annoying. Just as the story gathers momentum, it's interrupted by an attack. They're all alike: the wall explodes, the heroes are knocked off their feet, and the fight begins. Usually it's Orm's minions, but occasionally it's from Black Manta, a secondary villain that ties into Momoa's first action scene. This character is wrong, wrong, wrong. Played blandly by newcomer Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and with a costume and dialogue that are so bad it would have been laughed off the Adam West "Batman" show, Black Manta grinds the film to a halt whenever he appears. He serves almost no purpose and the film grinds to a halt whenever he appears on screen.
Jason Momoa is not a traditional choice for a superhero. With his shaggy appearance and fierce eyes, he seems more like a villain than a hero. But he has the pecs and the presence to pull it off. It's not a great performance, but it's certainly serviceable. His co-star isn't at his rather limited level, but she's not bad. Patrick Wilson is a daring choice for a villain. Having built a career as an affable character actor, he's a big risk for Warner Bros. But Wilson pulls it off, and is the best thing in the movie. He's strong and intense. It's a new side of the actor, who continues to broaden his range. Willem Dafoe and Dolph Lundgren provide reliable support. Criminally underrated New Zealand actor Temuera Morrison makes the most of a limited role, although he does get the chance to lock lips with Nicole Kidman, so hats off to him. I do have to admit that, as easy going as Tom is, I did wince a little when I saw him drink beer (and get totally blitzed as well). But he's not Jake Heke. As for Ms. Kidman, well, if she's in the movie, don't ask questions. And yes, she does get to kick some major ass.
Ever since he arrived on the film scene with his sleeper horror hit "Saw," James Wan has quickly risen in the ranks to become a premier popcorn filmmaker. He has an eye for visuals but is also a good writer and director of actors. Wan makes the most of this tired material and gives us as much as he can. But not even he can really rescue a genre that has been beating a dead horse for the past ten years. It looks great and has a lot of energy, but I really can't muster much enthusiasm for it. I was entertained, so I'm recommending it, but it's time to put the superheroes to rest.
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