CHEER! - (9 stars out of 10)

Rating: 9/10 (18 March 2019)

The stage curtains open ...
Well, that was impressive! There is no shortage of stunning visuals or graphics here. "Aquaman" is as epic as they come - the quest for a king becomes the story of a hero. This one delivers the goods.
Every hero has to come from somewhere ... Aquaman's story begins with his parents. A lighthouse keeper and a Queen from the ocean. A love that should've never happened, but was destined to be. When soldiers are sent from Atlantis to bring home the Queen, she goes back to save and protect her husband and son. Years pass by, and Aquaman is doing his part to watch over the waters and the crimes committed within - but when a beautiful stranger appears to him one night asking him to come back and claim the throne that is rightfully his, he balks at the idea. Him? A half-breed? And his mother dead? However, when a display of power comes from the depths of the ocean, he knows what he must do.
At first, I was skeptical heading into this one. It was nothing like what I expected. Then I realized, that I really didn't know what to expect. So, I guess it would be more accurate to say that it was better than what I expected. Usually when you have such striking visuals and CG work, it detracts from the overall story. Not so here. It actually adds to it. Jason Momoa really handles himself well in this role. He is completely believable and does a fine job of acting - not just a brute force, but showed appropriate emotion as well.
I highly recommend this film for action and superhero enthusiasts. Be prepared to be blown away by an explosive film that is high on eye candy - with a good story to match. One of my favorites of the year.