Estimated read time: 4-5 minutes
My 10-year-old son may look just like his mom, but the kid is just like me, bless his heart. The boy loves movies. Just like his old man, he drives friends and family insane with all his movie trivia and commentary.
I love watching my favorite movies with him for the first time. I recently showed him my all-time favorite film, "Inception." When it ended, he flipped and said, "They don't tell you?! They don't tell you?!"
My son loves movies, and he really loves superheroes. I can't tell you why because I'm not a big superhero-movie fan, but he is all in. While he likes Marvel, particularly Spider-Man, he is all about DC and Batman. "The Dark Knight" trilogy is his favorite movie series, and he has a fair amount of resentment toward me because I won't let him see "The Batman" yet.
While my son is all about superhero movies, I must admit they are wearing thin on me and have been for some time. I don't love the DC universe, but he does, and apparently, neither does Warner Bros., as they're about to reboot the whole thing. While my son was excited about "Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom," I was less than enthused. However, I promised myself long ago that I would go into each movie I review with an open mind, regardless of existing biases.
My initial assumptions about the "Aquaman" sequel weren't wrong, and the movie isn't great. I'll point out why I didn't enjoy the film but also had a revelation while watching it that I will share shortly.
Here are some reasons "Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom" fell flat for me, and something that made me actually kind of enjoy it.
We've seen this so many times
"Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom" dives into waters that feel all too familiar, presenting a storyline that echoes themes we've witnessed in multiple superhero movies before.
The narrative borrows heavily from "Thor: Ragnarok." The movie even acknowledges the resemblance with a cheeky Thor reference. However, the execution lacks the same finesse, leaving the audience with a sense of déjà vu without the added enjoyment.
The familiar beats of the plotline, coupled with a lack of innovation, contribute to a sense of repetition that diminishes the film's overall impact.
The villain was boring
In superhero cinema, a compelling villain can elevate a movie. Still, unfortunately, "Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom" falls short in this department.
Black Manta, portrayed by Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, struggles to captivate the audience. Despite attempts to infuse depth through a revenge arc, the character's narrative feels overplayed and out of sync with the overall tone of the movie and its other characters. The lack of a genuinely engaging antagonist leaves a void that the film's plot fails to compensate for, ultimately weakening the overall experience.
None of the rules make sense
I am all for suspending reality when I head to the theater. However, "Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom" loses its way by establishing rules within its universe only to break or ignore them repeatedly.
The inconsistent portrayal of Aquaman's vulnerabilities and strengths creates a disconnect, making it challenging to gauge the stakes in any situation. The character's seemingly contradictory abilities develop a sense of indestructibility, lowering the stakes and robbing the film of the tension needed to fully engage the audience.
My realization
As the movie unfolded, a realization surfaced that the filmmakers opted for a "Fast and Furious" approach, acknowledging the absurdity inherent in the world of Aquaman.
The film embraces its over-the-top nature, adopting a tone reminiscent of an expensive B-movie filled with intentional cheesiness and tongue-in-cheek action. While this revelation didn't entirely win me over, understanding the intentional campiness added a layer of enjoyment to the experience.
The self-awareness of the film's ludicrous elements offers a different perspective, turning what might have been a weakness into a distinctive, albeit acquired, strength.
Conclusion
"Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom" provides a measure of entertainment, particularly if one can fully embrace the inherent absurdity. The film offers moments of fun and is slightly improved over its predecessor. However, it falls short of being a must-see cinematic experience.
While it may not have resonated strongly with me, it knocked it out of the park with my 10-year-old. His joy and excitement throughout the film highlight that, in the end, its success lies in catering to the demographic it was designed for, even if I'm not that audience.
"Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom" is officially rated PG-13 for sci-fi violence and some language.
