On December 22, 2023, Aquaman and The Lost Kingdom was released. It is a sequel to the 2018 release of Aquaman. A few days later, I walked into the theaters not knowing what to expect. While the first Aquaman was a good movie which I enjoyed. It was hard not to have doubts when thinking of other movies made by DC Studios such as Justice League, Wonder Woman 1984, or Green Lantern.
Seeking retribution for his father, Black Manta uses the legendary Black Trident to unleash an evil force that is both old and powerful after failing to destroy Aquaman the first time. In an attempt to put a stop to his anxiety, Aquaman teams up with his brother Orm, the former Atlantean ruler, in an unexpected partnership. They put aside their disagreements and work together to defend their family, their kingdom, and the world from impending catastrophe.
When watching this movie, as the minutes passed I could tell that this movie would be just as good as its predecessor. The underwater CGI was breathtaking, when seeing the sea creatures and the beautiful environment. The plot went well with the previous movie and really did well on expanding it. Just like any other movie it did have some issues such as chemistry between love interests. But, it still did a good job in general in my opinion.
The lack of chemistry between Amber Heard’s character Mera and Jason Momoa’s character Arthur, also known as Aquaman is one issue I had with the film. Despite their best efforts, it is difficult to imagine them as the married couple, the king and queen of Atlantis, and the parents of a young child throughout the entire movie.
As you continue watching, you find that there are several character relationships which have similar problems. There are numerous instances in the film where the bond between Arthur and his brother Orm prove to be complex at first. For instance, they start to identify the source of their issues and engage in amusing banter. They discuss how Arthur’s only goal in life was to put an end to the surface battle, not to become king. Orm confesses that, in case Arthur came and grabbed it from him, he had been trained all his life. It’s a significant brotherly moment that they kind of forget about later. Finally, they parted ways and went their own ways once more. There is no character development between them.
So while Aquaman and The Lost Kingdom like any film, has parts that could be better yet additionally parts that are great and done well.It is an action-packed, visually gorgeous aquatic adventure that transports viewers to a fascinating underwater realm. From beginning to end, the visually stunning underwater scenery and amazing special effects combine to produce a truly cinematic spectacle.
Additionally, the journey Arthur took to become the ruler of Atlantis is evident to viewers. The whole cast gives outstanding performances that give the characters personality and dimension. The film expands the legacy of Atlantis and introduces new obstacles, all the while paying tribute to the DC universe. Fans of epic, visually stunning stories and superhero escapades should not miss this sequel.
