Beware, this movie is not just mindless action!

Rating: 9/10 (25 January 2019)

I finally got the chance to see this movie in 3D (which wasn't so great btw) and honestly saying I wasn't disappointed. Many people (including the critics) have praised this movie for being only "fun" or putting the accent on "good old fun". But in my opinion this movie has much more to it than that. The only reason I didn't gave this movie a ten is because overall is a bit cliched at times and overall the stakes aren't that high really, to make you surprised or mind blown by what turns this movie took along its 142 minutes run time.
The story: Many people have compared this movie with "Black Panther" or "Lion King" but the story although being about someone who steps up to be the king of his people, is quite different. The main difference is that Arthur doesn't want to be king and his character along the journey this movie takes it, becomes more selfless and more dedicated to his people or to the saving of his people rather than on some claim he has. I'll say this: first like 20 minutes of this movie are awesome with a backstory that was touching, powerful and memorable. The movie loses its tempo only in the middle but you never lose the plot if you pay attention. I will also point out the development of Arthur's character and how a certain scene speaks so powerfully about what makes a good leader. Someone who doesn't think about himself but rather gives everything in him for his people. Very nicely executed scene, and one more reason why this movie was more than just good fun for me.
The villain: Although some people said Manta wasn't actually needed in this movie, if you really pay attention to the movie you'll see he has somewhat of a role in it. But the other villain is what makes this movie good. Orm is very strong of a character and his motivations are very understandable. There's a scene between him and Arthur in Atlantis that displays all his motivation and how humans are responsible for that. For me that scene just spoke and raised the problem that we as humans continue to perpetuate upon the environment, and how we do everything that we like with it without worrying about it's degradation. Very nice and deep thematically.
The supporting cast was good. Standard I would say: Vulko is the mentor, Mera is the "partner along the journey" for Arthur, but the rest which I won't spoil for you, two characters are very good even though they don't have that much screen time. Their story is superb and touching. The soundtrack again was very nice done by Rupert Gregson Williams, but a little to loud at times.
The visuals: This movie is wihtout a doubt the most visual and the most beautifully looking movie I've seen in a long long time. It is beyond me how this movie wasn't nominated by the academy (btw one of the worst nolinations this year at the academy) for visual effects and production design, which are incredible well done. The amount of work that went in it must have been crazy. I couldn't but appreciate all the visuals and the digital altered faces (which are quite a few) throughout this movie.
Overall, great movie with so much fun and excitement but also with a good and flashed out villain, good character development and good enough themes throughout the movie. Well worth watching. Stay until the mid credits for the post credits scene that sets up a sequel, which hopefully will be made.