Drowning in Disappointment: The Troublesome Depths of Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom submerges its audience in a waterlogged sequel, failing to capture the magic of its predecessor Director James Wan's misguided attempt at a buddy comedy lacks the sense of discovery and world-building that made the original a hit This film falls short of being the superhero genre's saving grace
The anticipated "Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom" seems to be sinking as the sequel fails to capture the magic of its predecessor, opting for a misplaced comedic approach over the original's sense of wonder and world-building. This doesn't seem to be the solution to reviving superhero movies from their current rut.
Like "Wonder Woman 84," this DC sequel disappoints, lacking fresh elements to set it apart from its successful predecessor. The absence of a compelling new villain only adds to the film's problems.
In the first movie, the presence of two villains left Black Manta to take on the heavy lifting as he sought revenge. He discovers a dark trident with incredible powers, creating an environmental threat to the world. Meanwhile, Aquaman deals with the aftermath of becoming king of Atlantis, navigating family demands and bureaucratic red tape that doesn't suit his origins as a short-tempered brawler.
Black Manta's dangerous actions compel him to take a bold step: seeking help from his imprisoned half-brother Orm (played by Patrick Wilson) to find and defeat him. This dynamic recalls another sibling rivalry, but it's not like Marvel invented dysfunctional mythological families.
The banter between Momoa's witty hero and his serious, antagonistic former enemy is meant to add humor to the movie, but their "48 HRs."-style relationship fails to create enough chemistry to sustain this visually intense film.
Jason Momoa as Aquaman in "Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom".
James Wan, director of Warner Bros. Pictures, once again delivers a visually stunning spectacle. However, the digital effects fail to make up for the lackluster dialogue and situations. The screenplay, credited to David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick, falls flat despite his experience with "Aquaman" and "The Conjuring" sequels. The collaboration with Momoa, Wan, and Thomas Paa Sibbett seems to have resulted in an overwhelming mix of perspectives.
The focus on Aquaman's family doesn't give much for Nicole Kidman and Amber Heard to do, though early speculation about Heard's reduced role seems to have been exaggerated. While the first "Aquaman" was fun and leaned heavily on Momoa, this sequel doesn't quite deliver the same consistent fun. Abdul-Mateen is burdened with a one-note villain, and the strained relationship between Arthur and Orm is weighed down by too many clumsy moments, with only a few redeeming scenes.
'Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom'
Warner Bros. Pictures
It has been a challenging year for both Marvel and DC, so the commercial expectations for "Aquaman" should have been managed carefully. However, the film and its creators have not helped themselves by bringing something so uninspired to the table at this late stage.
Aquaman's ability to communicate with fish is common knowledge, a skill he humorously references. However, the heavily water-themed sequel seems to suggest it may be time for the franchise to take a break. "Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom" will premiere in US theaters on December 22 with a PG-13 rating. The film is being released by Warner Bros., a unit of Warner Bros. Discovery, like CNN and DC.
