Aquaman Makes a Splash!

Rating: 7/10 (3 January 2019)

Aquaman is an exciting and enthralling adventure that must be seen on the big screen! It offers one of the best stories produced so far by DC's cinematic universe.
The visual effects in Aquaman are spectacular. The film is reminiscent of Tron, Avatar, How to Train your Dragon and Star Wars in its creation of the world of Atlantis on screen. As a fan of the comics, the vivid colours and comic accurate costumes are so pleasing to see cinematically. It is clear to see that director James Wan has done his homework. However, the de-aging effect used on Temuera Morrison is a little bit distracting. This is only a small criticism though, as otherwise, the effects are something to behold.
James Wan brings everything that's good about the original source material. However, he also brings his own flare to the property, adding horror elements that merge beautifully with the world he has forged.
Jason Momoa was born to play Aquaman! In recent years, Aquaman has been treated as something of a laughing stock. However, these times are over! Momoa has brought gravitas to the role and has made the character very cool. Amber Heard is also fantastic in this film adding a really interesting dynamic to the film. Her character surpasses the typical damsel in distress that superhero films typically have, instead giving us a powerful and stylish equal to Momoa's Aquaman. Patrick Wilson's portrayal of King Orm is good, but in the grand scheme of the film Yahya Abdul-Mateen II's portrayal of Black Manta shines out, offering a very compelling villain for future films. I must also add that Willem Dafoe's Vulko really helps add authenticity to the world of Atlantis with a subtle and considered performance.
Overall, I would highly recommend the film to fans of casual film goers but also to die hard fans. The film's visuals are spectacular and are also supported by a strong storyline that will keep you totally invested throughout. I would give Aquaman 7.9 out of 10 as nothing is watered down!