10 years on, and the DC Extended Universe has come to an end. Starting as we meant to go on with Zack Snyder’s Man Of Steel, we did not exactly go on that way at all. Through it all we have had Snyderverse’s, directorial fracas, reshoots, controversy, barnstorming success, hierarchical change, reshaping, re-evaluations, bold decisions, project shelving, incredible moments, and catastrophic failure. Through the good, the bad, and the mad, no doubt about it, this has been a ride, and this long-delayed sequel to the DCEU’s highest grossing film, in 2018’s Aquaman, is a film that is a strange way to end but also, in many ways, a perfect one.
Aquaman and The Lost Kingdom is set several years on, as Arthur Curry (Jason Momoa) sits as King of Atlantis but also fights as the watery hero Aquaman! It’s a tough balance to maintain, especially as he is also a father now. But the stability of the world is about to be thrown into abject chaos, as the vengeful David Kane (aka Black Manta) (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) is desperately seeking vengeance and to attain it will go to any length, as he discovers and unleashes an ancient dark power that threatens to burn the earth to the ground.
For better – and (in many minds we are sure) for worse – this is a pure-blooded Aquaman movie through and through, leaning into the craziest facets of this long mocked watery world and hero. The last movie felt loyal to that comic book world, but with this follow-up, director James Wan even further embraces it all to simply ridiculous but fun extent. Affectionately hugging horror (nods range from Tremors to Texas Chainsaw Massacre) and B-Movie madness on a grand spectacle-heavy scale.
Delivering something akin to Flash Gordon by way of 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea and Journey to the Centre of the Earth, with Star Wars, James Bond and The Lord of the Rings sprinklings. If that sounds like everything thrown at the screen, well, that is because it bloody well is. Not everything works, a final act showdown is all too easily resolved, certain things are a little messy and some tones don’t swim together too smoothly, but this funny, warm and weird ride is appropriately controversial, divisive and interesting. And, in the most bizarre of ways, is a bigger aiming movie sequel wholly appropriate for this character and this franchise.
Jason Momoa’s cool and heartfelt hero and Patrick Wilson’s endearingly self-serious antihero half-brother Orm are this story’s sturdy brotherly anchor at core, with a knockabout chemistry that feels lovable in its own barmy way, while the visually engaging and wild adventure yarn that surrounds the film’s family-focused spirit keeps on going with creative creature designs, wacky lore and even a fishy cabarets that would make Jabba The Hutt ho ho ho in joy.
The film even takes a stab at a few more environmental themes amidst its rapid waves of deep sea battles and hero vs. hate-consumed villain clash. To that latter point, what a particular joy it was to see a superhero film actually have a baddie that they allow to cross lines and be scary without wimping out at the very end with a hand holding hallmark redemption. Yahya Abdul-Mateen II’s terrific Black Manta is certainly an ace in the deck of the movie, who dominates some of the film’s best action sequences, among a cast of some rather weighty names!
The first film may well be superior and more tightly put together but this one is certainly worth the ticket this Christmas, delivering precisely the kind of seahorse riding, Octopus-befriending, big screen trident-swirling mayhem you expect, with a lot crammed into every moment of the surprisingly not-too-long duration.
Imperfect of course but lord knows it is engagingly off the (sea)wall stuff, with a Vernian otherworldly edge and a barrage of big screen barminess that just goes for broke, no matter the costs. Which is admirable, if not maybe sensible but as Aquaman himself says early on, “You say everybody’s good at something. Me? I talk to fish…Some people think that makes me a joke. But I don’t care.” Fair play.
Opening with Storm the seahorse in an actual storm, and ending with a literal (and figurative) mic drop, Aquaman and The Lost Kingdom refreshingly gives zero F’s and just is what it is, making it a perfect send-off for the DCEU.
Aquaman and The Lost Kingdom is in cinemas now.
