Aquaman

Aquaman – Born from the illicit affair between an Atlantean Queen and a human lighthouse owner, Arthur Curry is the rightful heir to the throne, but is happier to live on land, using his powers to save lives and help fight pirates. But when one of the seven underwater kingdoms aims to consolidate its power and launch a war against the surface dwellers, he finds himself drawn into the conflict.

Aquaman (2018) – Director: James Wan

By Source, Fair use, Link

Rating: 12

Running Length: 143 mins

Starring: Jason Momoa, Amber Heard, Willem Dafoe

Genre: Action / Adventure, Comic Book, Fantasy

REVIEW: ‘AQUAMAN’

Previously seen on the big screen only as a supporting player in Justice League, and before that something of a figure of fun in comics and animation, this is Aquaman’s chance to make an impression with a wider audience, and he’s not holding back. The film throws everything including the kitchen sink at the screen, which results in a sprawling mess of a film, but an entertaining one nonetheless. There’s a lot of exposition and world-building to fit in, which makes for something of a lumpy, jerky plot, but the seams are smoothed over with constant distraction in the form of wild action scenes, gob-smacking design and effects which evoke a genuine sense of wonder, and some welcome goofy humour to let us know that the film-makers don’t take any of this nonsense too seriously.

The performances are mostly functional, with Momoa displaying a laid-back charm which is easy to watch, despite the fact that his character doesn’t have that much of an arc or development over the course of the plot. Patrick Wilson makes an effective and convincing baddie, and Yahya Abdul-Mateen is an imposing presence as Black Manta. The rest of the cast mostly just float in front of CGI backdrops delivering speeches. But there’s a lightness and sense of fun to most of the film, with some scenes obviously taking inspiration from old school action adventure flicks like ‘Indiana Jones’ and ‘Romancing The Stone‘. The action scenes are very well handled; refreshingly clear and well choreographed, with impressive camerawork. They’re also nicely varied, from a rooftop chase in Sicily to an epic final battle scene which gives The Lord of the Rings a run for its money.

Adults will see the flaws all too clearly, but the 10-year-old action fantasy fan in your family may well think it’s the coolest thing ever.

CONTENT: IS ‘AQUAMAN’ SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN?

In the opening action scene a room full of people is machine-gunned to death, but we only see the gun firing, and then the bodies on the floor. This is followed by a fight scene involving many instances of characters being thrown or slammed into metals walls, doorways and bulkheads to resounding clanging sounds.

One villain slashes at his opponents with a short sword attached to his armour, and at one point he stabs someone through the torso with it; No blood is seen. 

A villain is trapped in the submarine and his son has to leave him to drown, agonising for several moments over his decision.

Many superpowered fight scenes involve characters punching, kicking and throwing each other through walls, but with no visible injury or blood. In one scene an energy beam is used against the hero, leaving him with painful-looking burns on his arms.

A child is seen hiding in a corner and crying as his mother fights off attackers, and later is seen to be distressed as his mother has to leave him to return to the sea.

In one scene two characters drink several beers for “breakfast”, and are later seen enjoying other people’s company in a state of some inebriation. At the end of the scene one character accompanies another, obviously drunk, to their car, where he falls asleep in the passenger seat.

A night-time storm scene involves a small boat carrying our heroes being attacked by nightmarish creatures with spines and prominent teeth who loom out of the darkness and repeatedly try to bite the heroes.

Two scenes towards the end involve threat from a gigantic, tentacled monster.

The final battle features a large amount of carnage but mostly in long shot and cut fairly quickly. No injury or death is explicit or lingered over.

Mild, infrequent bad language: instances of “son of a bitch”, “ass”, “dick” and “hell”. “Bastard” is used repeatedly, but in the sense of “illegitimate offspring”.

Two characters share an extended kiss, seen in long shot.

CAN I SEE A CLIP?

VERDICT: IS ‘AQUAMAN’ FOR KIDS?

An action-packed fantasy adventure with plenty of peril and combat. A few scary and violent moments make this mostly suitable for children aged 9 and upwards.

• Violence: 3/5 (constant action and regular fight scenes)
• Emotional Distress: 1/5 (a child fears for its mother, and adult witnesses his father’s death)
• Fear Factor: 2/5 (a dark, stormy scene featuring monstrous creatures, and one large, threatening monster)
• Sexual Content: 0/5 (one long kiss, from a distance)
• Bad Language: 1/5 (A few uses of “ass” and “son of a bitch”)
• Dialogue:  1/5 (repeated mentions of the main character being an illegitimate ‘bastard’)
• Other notes: (deals with death, environmental threats and natural disasters, war and conquest)

 Words by Simon Litton

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