Aquaman's superb visuals fail to overcome terrible writing

Rating: 5/10 (1 January 2019)

I really wanted to like this movie, but it was just disappointing. The action sequences and visuals are really well done, but unfortunately they're bogged down by incredibly weak writing. I've liked Jason Momoa since Game of Thrones, and was actually excited to hear he would be playing Aquaman. He has more than enough charm to play a great superhero lead (see: any Chris from the Marvel Universe), especially compared to the lackluster leads we've seen in the other DC films - not including Gal Gadot. But Momoa, Heard, and Dafoe are sorely underutilized. The acting in Aquaman really isn't great - but that's what you get when the actors are given boring, flat dialogue.
The movie never seems to stop unloading exposition at you, and it's crammed into every conversation. You never get a chance to see the characters develop because everyone is too busy trying to explain the next 'world-building' element. I mean I don't need 2 hours of exposition to understand a bunch of guys riding sharks shooting blasters at crab people. Give me the essentials and focus on making me care about the people I'm watching - let the world speak for itself.
It really is a shame because (almost) everything else is great. Aquaman's saving grace is its effects and set designs. Everything - except some questionable costumes - is extremely visually appealing and there is some wonderful imagery to be found. But the thing is, all of this beautiful shiny exterior is just serving as a means to distract you from a movie that refuses to even try to give you information in a creative way.