Giantrobo

Sorry, maybe not worked up but certainly as "passionate" as any Fan can get when they believe in something. My self included. You guys won't agree with me and I won't agree with you. That's fine... Life goes on, DC will continue to suck and Marvel will continue get a pass on less than perfect CGI.

Why So Blu?

The octopus playing the drums was Topo - he was in the comics.

devilshalo

It's funny to see arguments about the CG when ILM has done a majority of the shots for all the films mentioned. And their A, B and C teams are much, much closer in quality than when The Mummy Returns ran out of money and created the shit looking Scorpion King.

I generally liked Aquaman for Momoa. He's fun and playful as Arthur Curry, but he can be a debbie downer, too and I could relate to him. He's not too much of an over the top presence as the Rock. Amber as Mera was just meh. The action sequences were pretty damn good, though I've felt we've seen the rooftop chase done to death in Bourne and Bond. I liked the Black Manta origin, but I don't know much about Aquaman's rogues gallery.

fumanstan

Well, he wrote that DC is giving him reasons to criticize them harsher, aka the quality of the movies warrant it. Not that he's being harsh for no reason just to hate on them. I'm not sure how that validates any of the points you were trying to make, but I don't think that's any real revelation.

Don't get me wrong, i've criticized Mike86 for some of the DC hating stuff too and jumping to conclusions in some of the pre-release news and rumors, it just sounded like you felt you got him to admit something he hasn't been open about before.

Yes, I'm aware that was your opinion on Iron Man. I'm not sure if my rhetoric confused you, but i'm simply disagreeing with you again that there were issues with the CG on the character, other then the first movie being very reflective of a 10 year old film.

For all this back and forth, have you even seen Aquaman yet?

Decker

Man that was a deeply stupid movie. Not without some fun parts and cool visuals but just dumb as can be and went on So Long! I kept thinking “My God, are they going to fight more fish people”? I was doing the math in my head : he has to find this trident, then fight creatures to get it, then fight Patrick Wilson? This movie is never gonna end!

Do location titles like “Somewhere in the Atlantic Ocean” really help confused movie goers? And after spending ten minutes on AM trying to get to the dangerous Ocean Rift, getting a title card once he finally arrives there that says “Ocean Rift” felt so unnecessary that I laughed out loud.

I did admire Patrick Wilson’s patience. He knew that for TWENTY YEARS his closest advisor was secretly training his enemy half brother to usurp the throne, but he waited until the final half hour of this movie to spring it on him. That takes serious self-restraint.

Shannon Nutt

Sorry guys, this movie was AWFUL. Not only did it feel like a Black Panther re-tread (yes, I'm well aware the story follows the comic book origins - somewhat - but still, after just seeing Black Panther earlier this year, it's amazing how similar the two films are), but the acting was stilted (poor Nicole Kidman, I hope she got paid well) and the action scenes (par for the course in these DC films) all outstayed their welcome by a good five minutes each.

I liked the opening sequence in the sub and if the movie had focused on Black Manta ONLY, it might have been better - maybe not great, but better. I never bought Patrick Wilson as a legitimate challenge to Jason Momoa - that was just bad casting.

Also, when did Aquaman become bulletproof and invincible like Superman? Has he always been this way, and I've been ignorant about it? I know he's stronger than an average human and his powers are enhanced in the water, but bullets bounce off him in this movie...WTF?

I hate to say it, but I think I liked Suicide Squad more than Aquaman. Easily my least favorite of the DCU movies, although I still think Momoa is a decent pick for the part.

stingermck

Yes.

Vulco even mentioned it, that their skin is tougher due to the extreme pressure under water, which also makes him bulletproof.

Decker

Did this movie take place before or after Justice League? I couldn't really tell. I mean it feels like an origin story, but he ends the movie far more powerful than he appears to be in JL.

Also : Why do the local motorcycle gang recognize Aquaman immediately but Randall Park (who is apparently an expert on the subject and has spent years researching him) have no idea what he even looks like?

fumanstan

It takes place after, there's a line commenting about how he defeated Steppenwolf.

As for the gang, along with the scenes from Justice League when Batman finds him it seems like Arthur is just known in the town he grew up in? At least that's my assumption.

Eric F

It depends on what iteration. I suppose if you shot Aquaman with an armor piercing bullet it might pierce his skin. He's not invulnerable like Superman.

davidh777

I'm sure people have appeared in both DC and Marvel movies before, but I thought it was interesting that Park was in this right after being in Ant-Man and the Wasp.

Michael Corvin

Yeah, local legend/hero. That's the vibe I get from this and JL.

Decker

You'd think Batman teaming up with Wonder Woman, Cyborg, Flash, Aquaman and a resurrected Superman to save the world would be a bigger National news story.

robin2099

I really, really liked it. The movie was beautifully shot, the action was well handled, Mamoa is a good fit for the part and it had the light tone that people have been hoping to see for awhile. Not sure what the hell people were watching when they say the CGI is bad, and that they did not understand his powers. I figure that those same people would complain if they did a big exposition dump about his powers. Back Manta was pretty cool also.


Be that as it may, I did not think the movie was perfect. I thought it was a little long, Heard looked the part but was pretty wooden, I did find the finale somewhat underwhelming, I also thought the little girl with the Pinocchio book was kind of cornball, and I agree that as cool as Manta was, he did feel like an afterthought(almost as if they wanted to put him onscreen in case they did not get a sequel).


I think this was just as good as some of the Marvel movies(especially Black Panther which this is being compared too) but the DC movies will always be the Sony to Marvel's Disney in that people will overlook some flaws and cut one more slack than the will they other.


I give it a 4/5.

Mike86

It is sorta weird that this film takes place after Justice League, but yet feels like an origin story. Truthfully I thought the whole plot with him and Mera needing to go after the trident seemed a bit pointless.

It gave us an adventure to go on with them, but it seemed like Aquaman was already pretty powerful and stuff before obtaining it. If this was an origin movie and the trident granted him power it would have made more sense. As is I’m honestly not that sure what getting it really accomplished for him. I mean they said it was so the people of Atlantis would accept him as their king, but yet if he had been able to beat Ocean Master he would have been king anyways.

I also feel like he could have taken Ocean Master pretty easily if he really wanted. Given the powers he demonstrated it didn’t se seem like he was at a true disadvantage to me. Especially considering I don’t feel like Ocean Master really did much of anything to make me buy him as much of a threat.

As far as the comparisons to Black Panther, I guess I see it somewhat, but I was thinking of Thor a lot more. I mean it has a lot of the same beats. In both films the hero has to do something to prove themself worthy so they can rule their kingdom, they both have to face their villainous brother, and both require some item to prove their worthiness or to obtain their power.

devilshalo

It took him to fight above water, to defeat Ocean Master. Vulko said that Arthur would have a difficult time fighting OM underwater because of all of his training.

will travel

Very good movie, B+.
Had everything I wanted in an AQUAMAN movie plus two good villains: Ocean Master and Black Manta.
A visual feast. Atlantis looked awesome as did the the various creatures.
Well done Cast and Crew.

Mike86

Yeah, but I’m saying I didn’t really buy it. Based on how strong Aquaman is shown to be and that Ocean Master doesn’t really do anything to show his power I just didn’t really believe it personally. Ocean Master wins their first battle, but it’s not like he completely owns it or anything, and he doesn’t do much else to prove himself as anything other than the typical conniving villain.

Giantrobo

Naw I'm likely Red Boxin' it due to my schedule. But I still represent for DC in these E-streets...

DJariya

Geez, you really don't have 2 free hours to see it now? Even on an off day? It's not going to be out on disc until March or April and by that time no one is going to care about your review

But seriously this is a movie that should be seen on a big screen to fully enjoy the experience. Trying to analyze something that you haven't even seen doesn't add much to the discussion. Especially when the movie is hot & relevant and everyone is talking about it.

faust69

Well, more like 2+ hours at least since the movie is about 2hrs and 23mins? And you add in 15-20mins of damn trailers (20 mins at the AMC IMAX).

And I agree that GR should see it in the biggest theatre possible. The movie is total eye candy. Come on, GR, do it for Daisaku!

Michael Corvin

Definitely a big screen movie. Gorgeous visuals.

Sure but all the battles were in remote locales(thanks "MoS is destruction porn" trolls). Who caught him on video during those scenes? It's not like they stood in front of the Hall of Justice and had a big presser at the end.

Superman and Wonder Woman are the only two that don't mind being seen in public. Flash zips in and out. Cyborg hides in his hoodie. Aquaman made it clear to Bruce that doesn't want to be seen. Batman is... well Batman.

mphtrilogy

Just got back with my daughters, good fun, solid flick. Not a strong enough villian, but Momoa was terrific effects were solid, I liked the cast for the most part. Would have enjoyed more of the use of his ability to control the sea creatures, but it was a good intro movie. Glad they have another decent franchise now...

Decker

The one scene I most hope is in the sequel to Justice League is the one where Aquaman introduces his mom to Bruce Wayne and he immediately has the awkward realization that he slept with Aquaman's mom back in the 90s.

TheMovieman

Hardly perfect and not among the best in the "DCEU" (or World of DC I guess), I still found this really entertaining and Jason Momoa again proves he has the same charisma on-screen as he does off and makes this character his own. The editing could've been smoother but otherwise I had a fun time and interesting to see where Wan's style comes into play the best, most notably the scenes in the Trench with some classic monster-horror elements.

Oh, and DC has finally gone bright, I mean really bright. Can't wait to check this out on the 4K format, the colors were brilliant. Aka, they're Marvel. Hope Mike86 is happy. (j/k)

3.75/5, (B+, 7.8/10, 3/4)