I saw Aquaman 2

DC/WB's Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, directed by James Wan, who cowrote with David Leslie Johnson-Goldrick (et al), is the filmmakers' long-awaited sequel to the 2018 blockbuster. For the follow-up, the Arthurian legend is retooled as a buddy movie, with emphasis on Jason Momoa's titular protagonist, aka Arthur Curry, making amends with his brother, Patrick Wilson's exiled Ocean Master, aka Orm (in a Thor/Loki-fied deal), to combat Yahya Abdul-Mateen II's vengeful Black Manta, aka David Kane. 

The premise is tried-and-true enough to hold one's interest (as it avoids any out-of-the-box hiccups), with the brotherly component making the best use of the formula's angst, rivalry, amusement and redemption, framed by global-warming humbuggery, 20,000 Leagues tech and for cuteness sake, a surrogate, baby Aqualad. 

To fortify the formula further, Black Manta is more ruthless this time out, in particular, when he taps the Black Trident, summoning a hidden, hellish kingdom with the power to flatten all of Atlantis and beyond. In his sleek, head-to-toe armor, Black Manta is nothing short of an aquatic Darth Vader as he carries the ancient world's relentless evil, pressing a significant, story asset, for any heroic fable is only as good as its villain is bad. 

The movie's supporting performers and their characters reinforce the inflating tensions: Dolph Lundgren's King Nereus; Nicole Kidman's Atlanna; Temura Morrison's Tom Curry; John Rhys-Davis' Brine King; Martin Short's Kingfish; Randall Park's Gus Gorman-esque Dr. Stephen Shin; and Amber Heard's Mera, whose role may have been shortened for this sequel, but her regal presence is still felt. 

In fact, the successful ensemble feels more than right to birth Aquaman 3, except that WB execs wish to steer the DC, cinematic franchise in another direction. (Perhaps if The Flash had hit bigger, that would have given more cause to keep a strand of Zack Synder's multiverse in play.) On this basis, it's easy to get sentimental over what may be a so-long chapter, but at the same time, a sense of betrayal can't be denied. To rephrase, it's a tad hard to invest in something, no matter how sublime, if the rug is being pulled from under it (case in point, DC/WB/Max's Swamp Thing, revival series).

Regardless of the studios' plans, Lost Kingdom is now part of hero-cinema history, which by that relegation, means it won't be soon forgotten, anymore than Kick-Ass 2, Sin City: A Dame to Die For, Wrath of the Titans, Ewoks: The Battle for Endor and Conan the Destroyer have been. After all, round-two myths never die; they just get revisited. 

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...

I saw Aquaman...

I like Jason "Game of Thrones" Momoa (found him darn effective in the ill-fated Conan remake), but he always struck me as a trifle...well, unique for DC's Arthur Curry, aka Aquaman, even when (at long last) garbed in the traditional orange and green. I mean, when it comes to casting Lobo, will WB go for a brawny, clean-shaven, fair-haired dude? At this stage of the reinvention game, would it be any surprise?

For me to get into the Momoa/Curry vibe, I gotta take the characterization in the context of let's say, "The Man from Atlantis", where for all intents and purposes Patrick Duffy's "Mark Harris" may have been, in fact, Aquaman, Sub-mariner or someone in-between: Depthon, Son of the Ocean, anyone?

Okay, so "Aquaman" isn't quite the long-haul Aquaman we all know in this big-budget instance. Does that mean the film is any less a splash because of it?

I'll say this much, for an official, pseudo knock-off, this brisk James Wan-directed flick serves its purpose, along with its Will Beall/David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick script. The collaborative effort presents the basic story of how Curry was born of human and Atlantean parents, portrayed by Nicole "Batman Forever" Kidman and Temuera "Green Lantern" Morrison. There's no superfluous, preachy, environmental gobbledygook to cloud the premise (praise Atlan!), and to keep things even more nice and simple, the movie dishes a reasonable scenario for Aquaman to tackle: His tyrannical half brother, Orm, aka Ocean Master, played by Patrick "Watchmen" Wilson, wishes to rule Atlantis and then all of Earth; our hero objects.  

Curry's stance, however, comes with some healthy coaching (past and present) from his mentor, Vulko, played by Willem "Spider-man" Dafoe. There's also Yahya Abdul-Mateen II's revenge-driven David Kane (aka David Hyde)/Black Manta to increase the torrential pumping. (BTW: the Black Manta outfit is spot-on, reinforcing the classic character's status as the aquatic Darth Vader...or is Vader the galactic Manta? Either way, it all comes out in the villainous wash...)

The thing is, the melodrama never hits the point of extraordinary. The visuals are pretty enough (in a Christmas time/"Close Encounters" sort of way), though I'd have preferred something more in line with George Pal's "Atlantis: the Lost Continent" (less can be more). And don't get me wrong, after a spell, Momoa's cynical Curry does, in fact, get into the full-blown groove, thanks to his determined, wife-to-be, Mera, played by Amber Heard and (even if he's only on the aggressive sidelines), her dad, Dolph "The Punisher" Lungren's Nereus. Still, for the sake of my initial viewing, the whole purpose and plan seemed a little too little and way too late. (Really, this notion of begging Aquaman to battle an obvious threat felt strained in "Justice League". We know he'll help if the circumstances require it, so why dance around the obvious?)

Though nonessential banter stalls Curry's under-the-sea (and even land-based and Earth's Core) rise, the movie does, in fact, have one consistent attraction: Heard's Mera. Whether or not one has a bug up the kazoo over the Johnny Depp situation (feel free to look it up), the actress is a honey-and-a-half: always has been, always will be. In old Hollywood, she'd have been a preeminent, film-noir vixen and was long ripe for the pickin' for any superhero flick. She's tall, curvy, sparkly, supportive of (if not essential to) Curry's crusade and more than the titular hero, this live-action Mera mirrors her comic-book inspiration.

Alas, beauty alone won't make a picture great. At best, "Aquaman" is a solid Camelot variant. With matters unhinged at WB (i.e., with Ben Affleck and Henry Cavill ousted and "Shazam!'"s required reshoots), one can't help but wonder if "Aquaman" will die on the seaweed vine, thus paving the way for that predicted Justice League reboot. (Then again, "The Flashpoint Paradox" could fix it all, if but bestowed the chance.)

Despite what happens, I still believe that certain characters are meant to march (or swim) onward, and that includes Momoa's aquatic avenger. For many, a sense of sorrowful shame will be felt if his aesthetic wave doesn't rise high enough, but in the end, it's the box office that'll decide if Momoa continues to patrol the seas--and for better or worse, what elements of the DC cinematic universe remain or recede. 

I saw the Justice League...

Questions regarding "Justice League'"s critical outcome have been discussed, predicted and debated over the past few months. People have wondered if the film would be as polarizing as “Batman v Superman” or as charming as this summer’s leading blockbuster, “Wonder Woman?” Others have speculated on whether it would be dark and brooding in the Chris Nolan vein or light and/or soap-opera-ish like CW’s television shows. Directed by both Zack Snyder and Joss Whedon, “Justice League” turns out to be a union of nearly all these things and isn't in the least bit polarizing. Well, okay, that's just the sound of wishing thinking, but still...

When it comes to villainy, however, we're dealing with the straight-and-narrow again, thanks to Ciaran Hinds' chilling, Lucifer-like Steppenwolf (CGI-enhanced pursuer of world-conquering boxes), who intends (as if we couldn't guess) to dominate the world. We've witnessed his coming through Bruce Wayne's "Batman v Superman" premonitions, of course; and with this larger-than-life villain comes a horde of larger-than-live, locust-like demons. There are so many, in fact, that it would prove hard, if not impossible, for any superhero/metahuman alliance to overtake them; and yet our champions are ever determined to bring the invaders down. 

The cast is familiar and effective: Ben Affleck as Bruce Wayne/Batman; Gal Gadot s Diana Prince/Wonder Woman; Erza Miller as Barry Allen/The Flash; Jason Momoa as Arthur Curry/Aquaman; Ray Fisher as Victor Stone/Cyborg; and (yep, here it comes!) Henry Cavill as Kal-El/Clark Kent/Superman. I don't believe I'm spoiling anything by acknowledging the Man of Steel's return. Warner Brothers hasn't in the least tried to conceal the Kryptonian's Christ-like return. It's more a matter of exactly how he re-enters that counts, but I won't spoil that juicy tidbit here. (BTW: a number of supporting characters also return: Amy Adams as Lois Lane; Jeremy Irons Alfred Pennyworth; Diane Lane as Martha Kent; and Joe Morton as Silas Stone. They're joined by new members J.K. Simmons as Jim Gordon; Billy Crudup as Henry Allen; and Amber Heard as Mera.)

At any rate, all of the film's predominating, saw-it-coming/old-turf stuff doesn't make or break the story one iota. You see, “Justice League” isn’t merely another superhero teaming, but rather the story of sought redemption, particularly on Wayne’s part, but also a story of guilt, again on Wayne’s part (and in a precise Judus-based way, I might add). The script, penned by Chris "Batman v Superman" Terrio and "Marvel Avenger'"s Whedon, spews an almost religious zeal in its hope that Superman will gain his predestined, second coming and from there, help the league save the world from Steppenwolf's explosive, demonic possession.

Beyond the Biblical allegory, the film stresses the importance of individuality coupled with partnership. Oh, yeah, folks, one can still shine as an individual and help a greater cause without slipping into some Nazi-ish, conformist shade of gray. (Sorry, snowflakes, but that’s just the truth of the matter, but then those of your myopic ilk aren’t apt to view “Justice League”, even though you damn well should.) 

With these elements acknowledged, “Justice League” is, above all, a fun film. It still may be dark in its heart, but on the whole, it reflects its character mix. Batman is anguished and brooding; Wonder Woman, warmly glowing; Flash, a spree of crimson glee; Cyborg, shiny yet gritty; Aquaman, redesigned for sure, but when he bursts from out of the sea, soothing and calm. The styles of the two directors (though more an accident than a get-go intent) lends wonderful variance to the adventure, with some parts in tune with “Batman v Superman” and others reflecting the breeziness of most Avengers movies.  

The wavering styles also act as (if I may be so flag-wavingly bold) a reflection of the United States. I realize that may strike some as corny, but U.S. inhabitants are, in fact, part of a big melting pot, or make that a great, experimental salad, wherein each morsel holds a different flavor, but under the blanketing dressing, each tastes equally good. And “Justice League (of America)”, for all of its insinuated patriotic and religious seasoning, is exceptionally delicious. 

On another level, “Justice League” echoes an older and more admirable form of storytelling. The holier-than-thou, “social justice” writers of current DC and Marvel will surely degrade the film, since they've already taken contemptuous pride in dismissing all the fine attributes that once made their companies so inspiring. 

On the other hand, some "fans" will simply reject "Justice League" without even seeing it, assuming it's hip and cool to do so. A number of folks (mostly adolescents) will be too timid to give it a shot. Others will view it, but in the aftermath claim it's either too dark or light. Personally, I see the film as striking a swell balance, but enjoyed the experience mainly because I became involved with its heartfelt, human concerns. (Danny Elfman's score is also a blessing, considering that he incorporates traces of his Burton/Batman theme throughout. Ah, nostalgia!)

So, say what you will about good ol' "Justice League". Even persuade others to avoid it, if you want. No matter the result, it's here to stay and who knows? Maybe, by golly, if those dandy, post-credits sequences are any indication of the shape of things to come, it'll spawn a few sequels. Now, wouldn't that be somethin' to discuss, predict and debate?