This week saw another DC Comics adaptation hit Tralee Omniplex with Warner Brothers Studios hoping that Aquaman followed in Wonder Woman's successful footsteps after previous disastrous attempts with Justice League and Batman vs Superman guilty of both commercial and critical failure.
Aquaman reveals the origin story of half-human, half-Atlantean Arthur Curry and takes him (and the audience) on the journey of a lifetime and one that will not only force him to face who he really is, but to discover if he is worthy to be king.
Last years Patty Jenkins directed Wonder Woman showed after what was a lacklustre start for DC Comics movies that with the right direction, casting and storyline that these famous comic book heroes can (like their contemporaries at marvel) make great films. Aquaman whilst not hitting the hits of Wonder Woman does not thankfully sink to the depths of Justice League either with director James Wan delivering a rather fun and entertaining piece of cinematic escapism that will please the fans and pleasantly surprise the non-believers.
A lot of the films success is thanks to a perfectly cast Jason Momoa in the title role. Momoa brings a big screen presence, charisma and humour to his role as Aquaman and his leading man credentials will be given a well deserved boost for his performance here.
Director Wan also abandons previous brooding tones seen in DC Comics and releases that humour is a vital ingredient in this genre of film and there are laughs to be had throughout.
The visual effects are as you would expect top quality and a joy to behold on the big screen also.
Drawbacks to this production and what keep it from gaining a higher approval rate from yours truly include my usual bugbear of an overlong running time at 143 minutes, a hopelessly miscast Patrick Wilson as nemesis Orm and for a film that is ludicrously over the top it may annoy some viewers who may not buy into silliness!
Overall though, as holiday season popcorn munching big screen fun goes however, you could do a lot worse than Aquaman which left this viewer in particular whilst not off his seat applauding at least pleasantly surprised!
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