Jason Mamoa in Aquaman, has accomplished something that seemed impossible. He has given a male hero in the DC universe, a strong personality. The more well known heroes, Batman and Superman, have fallen flat in recent films. Mamoa has taken a lesser known character, and given him a strong personality and likeability.
Aquaman is the son of Atlanna (Nicole Kidman) and Tom Curry (Temuera Morrison). Atlanna is a native of Atlantis, and is forced from her domestic life, by Atlantean soldiers. She leaves and vows to come back, giving Curry the responsibility of raising Arthur.
Tom Curry does his parenting well. Arthur, has become a hero, partly because of his Atlantean heritage. He has developed his powers due to the mentoring of Vulko, (Willem Dafoe). Aquaman is content to be a hard drinking fun loving guy, in his spare time. This changes when Mera, (Amber Herd), persuades Arthur to come home to Atlantis. This is because King Orm, (Patrick Wilson), who is Arthur’s half brother, wants to wage war on the surface world. Arthur and Orm fight in a match, to determine the true king. The match results in a draw, with Aquaman withdrawing to the surface.
Arthur and Mera go on a quest to find the trident of King Atlan, (Graham Mctavish). They retrieve it from the middle of The Sahara desert. Aquaman holds it, and he is revealed as the true king of Atlantis. On his journey, he encounters Black Manta, (Yahya Abdul Maheen II) who is on a mission of vengeance :he believes Aquaman caused the death of his father. He has been outfitted with armor and weapons made in Atlantis. It makes no difference. Aquaman still beats him.
After beating Manta, Arthur Curry goes back to the sea, and marshals an army against King Orm. Nearly everyone in Atlantis, is convinced to join forces with Aquaman, except for the staunch loyalists. Arthur engages in another battle with King Orm, and defeats him. After this Arthur and King Orm’s mother appears: she was rescued from a long exile, by Aquaman. She embraces her son, Orm, before he is led into exile. Atlantis hails its new king and Atlanna goes back to Tom Curry.
James Wan’s directorial hand keeps this movie from drowning in special effects. He has crafted a movie that has a very good story. His other achievement, is getting an exceptional performance from his lead actor. Jason Mamoa is mainly a television actor, known mostly for Stargate Atlantis. The flashback scenes of Aquaman as a child and training with Vulco, make sense and give insight into Arthur Curry. James Wan has done the near impossible with this movie. He has crafted a film that doesn’t disappoint on any level.
One more thing needs to be said about acting. Nicole Kidman has been one of Hollywood’s best actresses for a few decades. She doesn’t disappoint in her role as the mother of Aquaman. She makes the audience feel her pain, when she is forced to leave her family. The beginning love scenes between her and Temuera Robinson, are tender and genuine. Nicole Kidman Also does well in her scenes with Jason Mamoa.
Aquaman is not a film that only comic book fans will like. Anybody who likes an action movie, with a good storyline will appreciate it. Hopefully, the DCU can produce more films of this nature.