Ryan Shoots First: Aquaman

Aquaman has a lot of things going for it. The movie excels at some things that make a movie not only pleasing but just a fun time at the cinema. Fun is not something that we necessarily associate with the DC Universe films but Aquaman breaks the DC mold in many ways. I was not sure what to expect going in. Some of the trailers look cool and exciting and some looked hokey and cringe-worthy. I also could not get around how much the movie reminded me of Thor and Black Panther in the MCU, you have advanced ancient civilizations with would be kings banished or sent on a journey of discovery to learn about themselves and rise to their mantle. After seeing the film there is still a lot of things that will remind you of Thor and Black Panther and there are some pretty hokey moments but overall there are some standout moments and visuals that when we put on the fun scale tilt in the movie’s favor.

Aquaman stars returning Jason Momoa as Arthur Curry, the bastard prince of Atlantis seeking to claim the throne. Momoa who comes from Game of Thrones fame is not the last comparison that can be made between the film and that popular HBO series. You have kingdoms, kings and thrones, power in houses and marriages and a looming threat that causes all the kingdoms to need to unite. That is only one of the many genres Aquaman seems to pull from, one minute we are in a deep fantasy film with mythical relics and cities then we’re flying around in a sci-fi film with stand-in spaceships dogfighting and lasers and tech, then we are in a globetrotting adventure film like Indiana Jones solving puzzles seeking treasure, and finding love. Director Jason Wan is moving at break neck pace and in a movie that clocks in at 2 hours and 23 minutes it actually feels a bit rushed as we are flying through scenes. There are a few times you can tell on paper a scene is meant to develop our characters and their relationships but the scene just refuses to slow down and let things linger as we move on for the sake of cool factor. The first act of the movie is so loaded with characters spewing exposition it began to feel a bit much, one scene after another is having to explain the plot and world but once we get past all of that and Arthur’s hero journey starts the movie is a blast. That being said the cast packs some power and they seem to believe in the picture.

Momoa as the lead is a breath of fresh air in the DCEU and his bravado and charisma on screen helps give the movie legs to stand on in some of its more silly moments. He is supported by Amber Heard who plays the fish out of water (get it?) role in the film while at the same time guiding Momoa and matching his wit and charm, she is also is very easy on the eyes in the film with the fiery red hair and… let’s just say wardrobe choices. The movies primary villains are played by Patrick Wilson who plays Arthur’s half-brother and current king of Atlantis King Orm and as a side villain is Black Manta played by Yahya Abdul-Mateen II. Wilson does a good job hitting the over the top tones of the power-hungry king and Abdul-Mateen while brief presents a compelling character with cool factor that can be used in the greater DCEU down the road (if it does keep going). Rounding out the cast are some heavy hitters like Nicole Kidman, Dolph Lundgren, and Willam Dafoe. They all seem to take their roles seriously and are giving it their all which sometimes big names in genre movie roles like this can sense the hokiness and that comes through in the performance.

The movie is just cool to look at and that is it’s strongest asset. As soon as Wan was attached to direct the cool factor was bound to be there and he delivers. The fight scene and choreography is very well done and some of the best in hero movies that feature God-level powers. The hits pack a punch and seem massive but the scenes are fluid, excellently shot and you can follow the action. Wan also uses some different cuts and camera angles that make the movie stand out. One scene in particular across the rooftops of Italy is packed with energy and reminded me of some of the action in Wan’s Fast and Furious film. The other way the movie stands out specifically from the other DCEU movies is the color. There is an abundance of color in this movie, whether it be the blue’s of the sea, the iridescent glow of the sea life or the colors of the armor it is by far the brightest movie in the slate of films. Gone are the dry gray colors of Man of Steel and even Wonder Woman and the other films. The props and costumes in the movie are very cool as well, the armor, weapons, and vessels whether actual sea creature or mechanical are unique and look great on the screen.

At the end of the day, Aquaman has been the butt of jokes over the years and has always been seen on the bottom rung of superheroes despite what the comics have been able to do with the character. The challenge for this film was to make Aquaman cool. To show off his power and make audiences believe in Mamoa as more than “a guy that talks to fish”. In that way, the movie nailed it. You can’t doubt Mamoas look and Wan makes the movie fast paced and hit hard enough that “cool” is likely the word I would use to describe the movie in one word. Wan and Mamoa took on the challenge and have been able to Make Aquaman Cool Again.