Aquaman review

[fardell24]

Aquaman
The lastest DCEU movie, (maybe the beginning of the reboot following the failure of Justice League?) involving the eponymous aquatic superhero. Arthur Curry, the Aquaman, discovers that his half brother is plotting to conquer the civilisations of the surface world. But that isn't all there is to the plot. The film is about Arthur's path to becoming the hero the world needs to defend against such paradigm changing threats. Arthur's origin story is different to other heroes' origin stories, so it doesn't feel like a re-tread.
The story of the lighthouse keeper and the princess of Atlantis was done rather well, and rather effectively set up some plot elements that paid off later in the film (especially with Arthur's father waiting on the dock every sunrise). The set piece in the lighthouse residence was a great example of choreography and forshadowed the later set pieces, especially the running fight in the Sicilian town. Talking of the Black Manta, that his vendetta against Aquaman starts off as a result of Arthur not saving his father, is rather believable.
Mera seeking Arthur's help is a rather good way of drawing him into the situation with Orm's plot. The quest for the Trident of Atlan is portrayed rather well, with each step in the journey providing more information on the history of Atlantis and time for Arthur and Mera to get to know each other. The scene at the lost tribe in the Sahara is rather good. As is their relaxing around each other in the Sicilian town (before the Manta attacks). The quest leading through a very dangerous area (in the form of the Trench) is predictable, but enjoyable.
The scene with the Karathen leviathan at the Core location was a rather good indication of how far Arthur was willing to go to get the Trident. The final battle was also a rather good scene, if rather heavy on CGI (but then it would need to be). Overall the film is a very effective telling of the Hero's Journey. 9.25/10.