Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom suffers from a lot of issues such as a weak villain, anticlimactic ending, and cringey dialogue.. but the brothers are fun!
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is the final movie in the DCEU, or so James Gunn claims, so is it a fitting end? Well, when you consider how hit and miss the films have been, it should come as no surprise that this one falls into the later. The first Aquaman movie was not great, and somehow this one manages to be worse. It suffers from multiple issues, with only a few positive aspects that help, but don’t fix, the movie.
The visuals look unfinished and the dialogue is awful, with only the rare joke landing. The flow of the movie is very disjointed as it becomes quite clear there were a lot of reshoots and editing around certain characters, which hurts the story in the end. The villain(s) are underused and unexciting. As for the action sequences, there are some good elements, but overall they don’t work. The final fight at the end could have been epic, but instead viewers get an anti-climatic “That’s it?” moment.
On top of all that, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom tries to throw in a lesson about taking care of the Earth, which comes off a bit forced at times and doesn’t really work in its favor.
While the film is not that long, it feels it. There were people in my screening that got up to walk around, to get the blood pumping and keep themselves awake. Nearly everyone mentioned they were struggling through the middle. Keep in mind, this was an afternoon screening, not evening.
Jason Momoa was clearly just having fun while making this movie and doing what he could with the script and cringey dialogue that he, and those around him, were given. That said, he appears to be having the best time opposite Patrick Wilson.
Easily the best part of Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is seeing Arthur and Orm acting like brothers. They bicker and poke fun at each other, delivering the only moments that offer up a chuckle. They also get to join forces and fight on the same side for once, which is fun. Of course, there are some lovely heartwarming moments between the two as well.
We love a good villain, and since Black Manta was done a bit dirty in the first film, we were hoping his return would correct that. Spoiler alert, it didn’t. Unfortunately he is once again underused and made to look quite weak. He looks cool, but that is about it. Yahya Abdul-Mateen II is such a talent that this is extremely disappointing. Snag him up Marvel, and give him a character that he can thrive with.
Besides the return of Black Manta, there is another villain pulling the strings at times. The character design for him and his people is impressive – think Game of Thrones white walkers or The Lord of the Rings. They look great and we wish we had more time with them on screen.
It seems as if he is pulling the strings and that there is set up for an all out brawl. An incredible action set piece. And then… nothing. Well, basically nothing. The final fight is very anti-climatic and gives viewers a handful of weak villains. Which is never a good time.
Amber Heard was, rightfully, removed from a lot of the film. However, this causes some very bizarre moments where she will just show up to do something, like step in during a fight, and then she leaves. Her random appearances make things strange and awkward. Honestly she should have been removed entirely or her scenes should not have been touched.
The press screening was in IMAX 3D, which we mention because a lot of the visuals during the action sequences looked off. The swimming was weird, body movements were strange, and the proportions seemed off. This could have been because of the 3D effect, or perhaps, the VFX in this movie is just not good.
At the same time, all of the underwater sequences were not perfected visually. We have seen a few movies pull off underwater visuals flawlessly this year – Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and Avatar: The Way of Water – but even being sure not to compare the three, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom just doesn’t work. That being said, there are a few land scenes that are absolutely stunning.
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom suffers from lots of issues. From the cringey dialogue, to the wonky VFX, to the bizarre music choices, to the anti-climatic ending and the weak villain(s). There is a good, ninety minute long, movie in there somewhere, but unfortunately viewers aren’t going to get it. The best part is the brotherly banter between Arthur and Orm, if only there was a bit more of that and a lot less of… well… everything else.
There is a mid credit scene, but no end credit scene – likely because this is the end of the DCEU as James Gunn’s DC Universe is about to kick in. That said, that mid credit scene is absolutely not worth sticking around for.
Rating: 1 out of 5
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About Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom
Having failed to defeat Aquaman the first time, Black Manta, still driven by the need to avenge his father’s death, will stop at nothing to take Aquaman down once and for all. This time Black Manta is more formidable than ever before, wielding the power of the mythic Black Trident, which unleashes an ancient and malevolent force.
To defeat him, Aquaman will turn to his imprisoned brother Orm, the former King of Atlantis, to forge an unlikely alliance. Together, they must set aside their differences in order to protect their kingdom and save Aquaman’s family, and the world, from irreversible destruction.
All returning to the roles they originated, Jason Momoa plays Arthur Curry/Aquaman, now balancing his duties as both the King of Atlantis and a new father; Patrick Wilson is Orm, Aquaman’s half-brother and his nemesis, who must now step into a new role as his brother’s reluctant ally; Amber Heard is Mera, Atlantis’ Queen and mother of the heir to the throne; Yahya Abdul-Mateen II is Black Manta, committed more than ever to avenge his father’s death by destroying Aquaman, his family and Atlantis; and Nicole Kidman as Atlanna, a fierce leader and mother with the heart of a warrior. Also reprising their roles are Dolph Lundgren as King Nereus and Randall Park as Dr. Stephen Shin.
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is in theaters December 22nd.
Tessa Smith is a Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer-approved Film and TV Critic. She is also a Freelance Writer. Tessa has been in the Entertainment writing business for ten years and is a member of several Critics Associations including the Critics Choice Association and the Greater Western New York Film Critics Association.