Aquaman: Haters Gonna Hate If the Box Office Is Great

There’s no disputing it: James Wan's "Aquaman" may not have tickled every viewer on every personal level, but it sure as hell surfaced Trident-triumphant at the worldwide, Yuletide box office. Still, for some infuriating reason, certain snippy sources downplay its success, implying that it didn't rake in what it could  have. Really? Get out!!!

On the other strange hand, a major misfire like "Fantastic Beasts 2" gets a bandwagon pat on the back. Its abysmal performance is countered by claims that it did well beyond the U.S.  Nice... So did Disney’s "John Carter", which didn't get a pass. Why?

It’s a political thing, I suspect. Propagandist fodder, even when disguised, will always rise high in the mainstream media’s eye. Anything otherwise, and that includes middle-of-the-road stuff, will be maligned, no matter how strong the accolades or ticket sales: grand case in point, David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick and William Beall's Atlantean anthem. Perhaps if "Aquaman" used a world-is-melting-'cause-too-many-of-us-sneezed-on-it theme, its reported success would be across-the-board accurate.

As it stands, the DC/WB movie is a solid action yarn with flashback, origin stuff thrown in. In other words, it's a common, comic-book movie. That, in its own right, hits a sour note with some. (Bill Maher ring a bell?) Those ostentatious sorts would rather embrace "Last Jedi'"s murkiness than something cool and clear-cut.

I don’t know where "Aquaman'"s success will take it, whether it'll fortify the yet budding Justice League's prospects or eclipse them. The success or failure of "Wonder Woman 1984" and "Shazam!" is yet to be seen, with either outcome impacting where Jason Momoa’s Arthur Curry lands or rather splashes. However, spitting on the movie's shine makes no sense. In fact, that surly practice might even brighten the movie's gleam, if its fans call foul, and it appears, some have already done so. 

To the haters, all I can say is sorry, but "Aquaman" won—won big-time. Live with it. Respect it. Swim on...