Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (2023)

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is the second and probably last Aquaman we'll see for a while.

James Wan returns as director and writer for the end of the DCEU. Who knows what Mamoa will do next and James Wan always has horror to fall back on. Wan really let control go on the film as much of the CGI isn't finished. CG babies, fish, boats, powers, it all looks poor. Also, the writing seems to be phoned in. The dialogue is basic. At the beginning of the film it cuts to characters that don't matter and scenes that could have been set up to establish the new evil better. Cliche writing mixed with bad CGI just leaves you with a heavy sigh.

Mamoa will always pale in comparison to Henry Cavil's Superman and Patrick Wilson who plays King Orm is obviously wearing a body suit. Aquaman is King but bows to the diverse council that is run by a female gender-swapped flamboyant Karshon. Who knows why no one is up in arms about this character assassination but perhaps it was because Karshon is supposed to be a shark and not a frilly council member. Yahya Abdul-Mateen II is back as Black Manta and the film reminds you who he is and why he wants to kill Aquaman just not until following the character on an easter egg hunt. He tries his best to be intimidating but he just comes across as a try-hard.

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is a disappointment in both visuals and storytelling. Its biggest crime is that it's boring. It's a sad day when Meg 2: The Trench scores higher. Result: C-

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