The First Act
Aquaman really starts out well. The film lays the groundwork on how the titular character (Arthur Curry) came to be, as the byproduct of an inter-species relationship between an Atlantan princess (Atlanna) and a human (lighthouse keeper Thomas Curry). Ultimately, this culture clash pushes the parents apart (Atlanna is forced to return to Atlantis, leaving her family behind. This leaves a huge void for both father and son, the latter whom yearns for clarity on who he truly is and where his fate lies.
This is standard forbidden love fare, where the offspring often has to deal with identity issues, but I feel that it was well-played. I also enjoyed the subplot associated with Black Manta who appeared poised to be the villain’s main baddie, as Aquaman left his dad to die as he foiled he and his dad’s violent piracy attempt.
But Then…the Second Act
As the conflict between Atlantans and humans aka “surface dwellers” looms, many revelations emerge. Aquaman’s “once-feared-for-dead” mother Atlanna is in fact alive. The Black Manta is a mere tool, albeit a formidable one, of an Atlantan conspiracy to invade the surface. Aquaman’s Atlantan half-brother Orm is behind it all.
Third Act
The last portion of the film culminates with a final journey by Aquaman to acquire a “weapon of mass destruction” to defeat his sinister half-brother. It is very similar to Thor’s journey to find Stormbreaker to defeat Thanos in Infinity War.
After Aquaman secures the weapon, he defeats his brother and assumes his birthright as the rightful king of Atlantis while his mother is restored as queen. The “royal rumble” between the two brothers bears striking similarities to similar scenes in Thor and Black Panther. Only this time, the child of mixed percentage (Aquaman), is the conquering, returning hero.
Verdict
Aquaman is the third best DCEU installment behind Wonder Woman and Man of Steel in my humble opinion.
The effects are amazing and the underwater VFX remind me a lot of the Gungan Empire in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace. Although I was very disappointed by that film, its visual effects are great.
Although Aquaman’s plot line is somewhat derivative, the film is good fun and stands on its own without any forced connection to the DCEU — an issue which has drowned previous entries like Batman v Superman and Suicide Squad.
Aquaman swims in comparison.
