Kevin's Watch

Aquaman....ugh...

I watched Aquaman this morning with hope that it would have an entertainment and quality level more in line with Wonder Woman than Suicide Squad. Sadly the film makers didn't even try to elevate the story beyond cliches and well worn tropes. The good news is Aquaman is a fairly entertaining film but is saddled with a painfully mediocre script, predictable, sub Par dialog, and a number of soap opera level performances. Were I to rate it among the existing DCEU films it sits comfortably just above Man of Steel and below Wonder Woman with Justice League, BVS and SS in descending order. Once again I am baffled by the apparent lack of dedication to quality the lion's share of the DCEU films exhibit. Its possible they have been saddled with the task of living up to Nolan's Non-DCEU Batman films, though Patty Jenkins managed to reach similar heights with WW. Zack Snyder reminds me of a insanely gifted technical artist who's idea of entertainment is watching monster truck rallies and professional wrestling and the DCEU cant seem to shake his influence.
There is entertainment to be found in Aquaman but it's nearly nullified by cringe inducing moments and scenes that leaves me scratching my head wondering why said moments are accepted for inclusion.
The special effects are also hit and miss which I found truly distracting.
Having the plot center on another ascension through combat scenario is really beginning to wear me out as a fan. The use of this clumsy trope in Black Panther pulled that film's interest for me down to a critical level. The fact that Aquaman employed a similar dramatic device and did so in a sloppy, CGI sudo-spectacle left me wondering how much better I would have enjoyed the film if the story tellers were capable of creating a truly original central plot.
All in all for me Aquaman was a bit of a miss though I don't regret seeing it in the theater and will watch it again when available to stream.

Hashi Lebwohl wrote:You and I did not see the same movie, then.
The other impressive part of the movie is that they managed to make Black Manta actually threatening, even if that character was both tangential to the plot and one-dimensional in this movie. Then again, this wasn't his movie, so we can forgive him being underused and a little forced.

I easily accept all of your comments to some point but this one was a little harder to agree with.

Aside from obvious fan service, Black Manta's presence served almost no purpose in the narrative and over-complicated the plot the way multiple villains tend to do in these films. Yahya Abdul-Mateen II's portrayal of the character was distractedly poor, hammy and without depth in my opinion. I do not hold any nostalgic feelings for the character so the costume was insanely stupid for me to look at even if its fairly accurate to the comics.
I agree Mamoa was effective and charming as Arthur, just as he was in Justice League but like Justice League he's working in a tainted environment.

I'm watching Aquaman at the moment. This film is breathtaking, funny, and so absolutely mindblowing, I can only watch in half-hour instalments.
(now half way through)
I just love what they've done with the cgi, only wishing I'd seen this in cinematic 3D as flat screen seems to render the motion picture slightly surreal. Reminds me of those seventies toys, before computer games and photoshop, like scenes and transfer stickers or those picture disc view finders. The movie makers have managed to create an intelligent balance of live action and animation.

Also reminded of the puzzle page in the sadly discontinued seventies comic, Sparky (DC Thomson UK). Llttle flashes of brilliance that give something extra to watch out for when the acting and script harrow the suspension of disbelief.

Aquaman. Superb.

I liked it.
That's about it though.

aTOMiC wrote:

Hashi Lebwohl wrote:You and I did not see the same movie, then.
The other impressive part of the movie is that they managed to make Black Manta actually threatening, even if that character was both tangential to the plot and one-dimensional in this movie. Then again, this wasn't his movie, so we can forgive him being underused and a little forced.

I easily accept all of your comments to some point but this one was a little harder to agree with.

Aside from obvious fan service, Black Manta's presence served almost no purpose in the narrative and over-complicated the plot the way multiple villains tend to do in these films. Yahya Abdul-Mateen II's portrayal of the character was distractedly poor, hammy and without depth in my opinion. I do not hold any nostalgic feelings for the character so the costume was insanely stupid for me to look at even if its fairly accurate to the comics.
I agree Mamoa was effective and charming as Arthur, just as he was in Justice League but like Justice League he's working in a tainted environment.

Totally agree. And Im someone that loves the universe and is arguably very easily entertained but I gotta say ... mmm twas a Tad cringeworthy. And I like everyone everywhere LOOOVVEE Mamoa.

Skyweir wrote:Im someone that loves the universe and is arguably very easily entertained but I gotta say ... mmm twas a Tad cringeworthy. And I like everyone everywhere LOOOVVEE Mamoa.

Wow ... now there is a coincidence. You seeing it too.

Not entirely sure what you mean

Skyweir wrote:

Not entirely sure what you mean

No worries, it isn't important.

Sometimes criticism is easy ...
like with all DC Comics and Marvel Universe movies, turning a
blind eye to hidden, or not so hidden, United States propaganda is par for the course.
Aquaman may be dealing exclusively with family values and eco-environmental topics
but I couldn't help noticing ideas about utopian border control inherent in
the Trump adminstration as illustrated by, the Atlantean bridge and gate and the rest of the world above.

... meh, a sign of the times. Whatever.

Had to put the movie on hold so will watch the second half at some later date.

OMG I watched Aquaman again tonight with my son ... and I take back every criticism... I loved it.

All of it .. Memoa was still brilliant.. but I dont exactly know why I didnt enjoy it in the cinema as much as I did tonight .. but love, love, loved it.

It totally just clicked for me.

And yes Lazy I hear what youre saying .. it IS easy to criticise.. and quite honestly enjoyed it from go to wo.