Aquaman

Theatrical release poster

***Aquaman*** is a science fantasy superhero action film based on the DC Comics character of the same name. Directed by Gore Verbinski, it is the fourth installment in the DC Cinematic Universe. It stars Alexander Ludwig in the title role as Orin/Arthur Curry/Aquaman with supporting cast including Omari Hardwick, Emilia Clarke, Geoffrey Rush, and Peter Facinelli. The film follows aimless young adult Arthur Curry who discovers his Atlantean heritage which places him in the middle of an escalating conflict between Atlantis and the surface world, masterminded by the mercenary David Hyde.

A film based on Aquaman was first proposed in 2004 at Warner Bros. but was abandoned when executives deemed the character wasn't "interesting enough" until they changed gears during early development of the DC Cinematic Universe. Gore Verbinksi, known mostly for his work on the *Pirates of the Caribbean series*, was the studio's only choice to direct. The film draws inspiration from the 1989 *Legend of Aquaman Special*, features extensive stunt work and fight choreography. Filming took place from April to June 2013 in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Washington D.C., Maine, and at NewGround Studios in Los Angeles. The film's visual effects were handled by The Moving Picture Company.

*Aquaman* was released theatrically on April 14, 2014 to mixed reviews from critics who praised the visual effects, action scenes, cinematography, and performances (particularly that of Hardwick) but criticized the writing and pacing compared to previous DC films. It is widely considered one of the weaker entries in the franchise. Despite this, the film went on to gross $232 million on a production budget of $90 million. It was followed a spin-off television series, *Black Manta*, which was released in September 2022 on HBO Max.

## Plot

The films in 1986 with the Atlanteans abandoning an infant on Mercy Reef (*which is above sea level at low tide*) due to his blond hair being seen as a sign of a curse they called "the Mark of Kordax." He is found by lighthouse keeper Arthur Curry who takes the baby in to raise him, naming him after himself. Years later, Arthur, now an adult, spends his days frequenting a bar on the boardwalk on Amnesty Bay. He feels he has dishonored his father's memory with direction of his life. One night during a drunken brawl, he is beaten and thrown off of the boardwalk into the water which triggers a strange sensation that allows him to realize he can communicate with sea creatures. Elsewhere in the Caribbean, a young man named David Hyde and his team of mercenaries followed a US Navy vessel in their technologically advanced submarine. Donning a suit of high tech armor, Hyde and his men attack the vessel, ruthlessly slaughtering the inhabitants. Hyde leaves a survivor, telling that "Atlantis will unleash the rage of seven seas".

Beneath the sea in the underwater nation of Atlantis, the city faces a period of political turmoil as the throne has been vacant for the last decade following the deaths of the Atlantean king and queen. Orm, the Prime Minister, is informed of the surface's hostility toward their nation by Atlantis' chief engineer Vulko who believes that the heir to the throne is out there somewhere. Orm scoffs at a war with the surface but Vulko informs him that someone is sinking ships with Atlantean weapons, to Orm's surprise. He is adamant that war will find Atlantis and decides go to the surface with the fierce Atlantean warrior Mera who refuses to believe that there is an heir to the Atlantean throne. In Washington D.C., the President summons General Sam Lane to the White House to discuss the "nation of metahumans sinking ships in the Caribbean". He expresses concerns about the threat of metahumans and believes that Atlantis is declaring war on the surface. Back in Amnesty Bay, Arthur travels to Mercy Reef to reminisce on his father where he sees Vulko and Mera emerge from the water. Their meeting is fortuitous as Vulko approaches Arthur, telling him he is the man he is searching for. Both Mera and Arthur disagree until Vulko explains that he was there the night that Arthur was banished and tried to stop it, revealing that he is the son of the Atlantean queen Atlanna and a wizard named Atlan making him the rightful heir to the throne, adding his true name is Orin. Still skeptical, Arthur agrees to "humor" Vulko by accompanying him and Mera back to Atlantis. The trio begin their journey and Arthur is surprised at his swimming prowess as well as his ability to breathe underwater. Arriving in Atlantis, Arthur is amazed by the architecture and society as he, Vulko, and Mera travel to see Orm. Meeting Orm, he initially dismisses Arthur and Mera tells him the true will be if he can wield Atlan's trident but Orm refuses to let him near it. Vulko attempts to talk to him while Mera shows Arthur around Atlantis. While they explore, she tells him that Orm is attempting to change Atlantis for as the old ways were one of the reasons he was abandoned to the surface. Arthur then remarks that they should've changed it sooner and Mera replies they could have if he was king. Meanwhile on the sea aboard David Hyde's mercenary vessel, he is informed by his men that US have not said anything about the attack on the naval vessel, leading him to formulate a plan to attack Atlantis, believing they will retaliate quicker than man.

The US Navy dispatches a submarine using thermal imaging to find and nuke Atlantis. Back in Atlantis, Orm tells Vulko that a monarchy will disrupt their way of life with the latter telling him that he is king of Atlantis just without the title. Outside, Mera and Arthur continue their conversation while Hyde and his men stealthily infiltrate the city, killing several guards before detonating bombs in the Atlantean library. Chaos ensues as Mera and Arthur attempt to help people while Orm attempts to mobilize the Atlantean army, believing it is an attack from the surface. Hyde leads his men to the palace as Mera attempts to follow with Arthur following close behind. As Orm flees out of fear, Hyde impales Vulko before swiftly beating both Arthur and Mera. He remarks on how Atlanteans disgust him before ordering his remaining men to place bombs in the palace as he departs. Mera and Arthur relocate the wounded Vulko to safety which fortuitously happens to be Atlan's old sanctum. Vulko urges Arthur to take up his father's trident to defend Atlantis and Arthur does, also taking some Atlantean armor. He reenters the palace and engages Hyde's men, defeating them but is unable to disarm the bombs, opting to pursue Hyde back to the surface. As Hyde boards his ship, Arthur emerges from the water and confronts him, demanding the detonator. Hyde asks Arthur why he cares, revealing that he knows Arthur is, further prodding him about defending the very people who abandoned him. Arthur replies that people change and Hyde tells him that they don't, admitting he has a grudge against Atlantis because the Atlanteans murdered his father upon him discovering the sunken city, adding that he was mercenary and privateer like himself. Arthur apologizes and tells Hyde that there are thousands of innocent families that shouldn't have to suffer for one crime but Hyde disagrees, attempting to push the button. Arthur engages him and the two fight with Arthur displaying superhuman strength. Hyde begins blasting Arthur with the laser beams from the lenses of his helmet in response and both their respective abilities cause catastrophic damage to the ship. Arthur gains the upperhand by breaking one of Hyde's lenses and impaling him with the trident, in response, Hyde uses his sword to dismember Arthur's left hand before seemingly casting himself into the sea, sinking to the bottom. Grievously wounded, Arthur leaps back into the sea as the ship sinks, spotting the Navy sub. Using his trident, Arthur summons a torrent that completely knocks the submarine off course, effectively saving Atlantis.

Atlantis begins rebuilding with Arthur and Mera leading the endeavor. After receiving a hook for his left hand, he releases a video to YouTube announcing his ascension to the throne with a healed Vulko as his vizier and Mera as his personal bodyguard while proclaiming their nation is not a threat. In Washington D.C., General Lane and the President observe the video with Lane remarking that if they get out of line, he has "an alien and an Amazon that love property damage". Arthur visits Mercy Reef one last time, leaving a fish hook there in honor of his dad.

At the end of the film's credits, the sound of David Hyde's helmet can be heard powering up followed by his labored breathing, hinting at his survival.

## Cast

* Alexander Ludwig as Orin/Arthur Curry/Aquaman
* Omari Hardwick as David Hyde/Black Manta
* Emilia Clarke as Mera
* Geoffrey Rush as Vulko
* Peter Facinelli as Orm
* Tommy Lee Jones as General Sam Lane
* Jordan Peele as the President of the United States