Aquaman (2018)

You know how at one point, almost every DC film or series got lambasted for being way too serious and dark? You know, the brooding DC versus the more lighthearted and colourful Marvel? Well, they eventually decided to let directors with a different vision work out the stories and what we got was a lot more enjoyable. 

And Jason Momoa. You can't go wrong with Jason Momoa.

Arthur Curry is the half man, half Atlantean Aquaman. He feels closer to the land, because Atlantis executed his mother. That makes a lot of sense. But when his half brother King Orm wants to wage war on the land, Arthur reluctantly has to go in search of the lost trident of Atlan in order to bring balance back to the Force. 

I mean: the world. Sorry.

In the meantime, he of course has to come to terms with his Atlantean nature, get the girl (in this case Princess Mera) and hold off his foes. Beside Orm, there's also Black Manta, a pirate who is bent on revenge as Aquaman more or less killed his father. Black Manta got some goodies from Orm in order to upgrade his arsenal, so he would be better equipped to take care of a metahuman. 

As you can probably tell, the story in itself isn't all that special, but truth be told: there are a sparse few comic book hero tales that stick out and a lot of them use the same tropes. But does that instantly mean this sort of thing is not enjoyable?

Heck no, this is a hoot. Because it is done so well and is so entertaining.

Director James Wan realized that the story needed some levity and colour and he injects it with gusto. There are jokes, but no gags (sigh of relief) and the bad guys are actually pretty cool. You can see why they do what they do and that makes them a lot more compelling. Orm is a spoiled brat who does have a legitimate beef with the surface as we pollute and destroy the oceans, and Black Manta wants his dad back. That is a pretty strong motivator right there. And even though you might think that all this is a little silly (which it is, if you think about it), Wan and the cast run with it and that is what makes this work. Heck, they fortuitously keep the designs as close to the comics as possible, which is a wonderful touch. None of that silly "We need to make things more realistic or people won't buy it". Stray to far and you alienate the fans and lets be honest: if this sort of film isn't made for the fans, then who? 

So yes, you get Black Manta with the oversized helmet, Aquaman in his classic gold and green garb, a shiny King Orm and oversized seahorses, sharks with helmets and mosasaurs. It's a smorgasbord of overkill in every right way. 

Have I mentioned this film looks gorgeous, with its vibrant colours? Have a look at the scenes set in Atlantis, they are a feast for your eyes. Heck, the underwater world is more colourful than the land. What Wan also cleverly did, was stylistically separate the different kingdoms. Sure, the difference between for example Atlantis and the Brine Kingdom is probably the most striking, but you always can tell where you are and there is no confusion. The action is also highly energized, but not a garbled mess of what-the-fish-is-happening. Standout is the scene set in the Sicilian village, where both Mera and Aquaman are battling foes, but where the setting and camerawork constantly makes it clear where we are and who we are following. 

On a final note: if they didn't have Jason Momoa for this role, they would have had to invent him. This fits him like a glove and the man is so charismatic, you can't help but enjoy watching him. He is one of those actors that can make a role so quintessentially his, it's tough to think of anyone else assuming the part. 

'Aquaman' is a no holds barred, unapologetic fun time. Nothing fishy here.