Aquaman has brilliant visuals and some comic book touches. It needs more danger for its characters and bring the viewers slowly into the underwater world. I think I was fascinated by the character of Aquaman when I picked up a Happy Meals mini-comic, “The Secret Origin of Aquaman”, this is a Silver Age version of his origin, Adventure Comics #260 (1959) by Jack Miller and Ramona Fradon. Much of the Silver Age Aquaman art is by Fradon and Nick Cardy. I was fortunate to purchase original art from Cardy and Fradon, my favorite artists. Another limited series, Atlantis Chronicles by Peter David and Esteban Maroto, filled in the pre-history of Atlantis. Maroto's designs for Atlantis may have inspired the film's designs for Atlantis, Maroto, Cardy, and Fradon are noted in the credits.
Aquaman was of course in the Super Friends cartoon and his own. There was of course the parody in Entrourage of an Aquaman film to be directed by James Cameron. Aquaman is really driven by director James Wan who is brilliant launching horror franchises like The Conjuring and also his continuing to finish Furious 7 (2015) without Paul Walker. The story is by Geoff Johns, who worked on the New52 Aquaman comic book, James Wan, and Will Beall, writer of Gangster Squad (2013). The screenplay is by David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick, who also wrote The Conjuring 2 (2016) and Wrath of the Titans (2012), and Will Beall. The base of the film’s story is based on Geoff Johns’ Throne of Atlantis” storyline that ran in Aquaman #14-17 (2013) and Justice League #15-17 (2013). Warning: Warner Bros. does a terrible job with its trailers spoiling the entire movie, the first one was a good teaser, but the others have moments from the whole film.
Aquaman was of course in the Super Friends cartoon and his own. There was of course the parody in Entrourage of an Aquaman film to be directed by James Cameron. Aquaman is really driven by director James Wan who is brilliant launching horror franchises like The Conjuring and also his continuing to finish Furious 7 (2015) without Paul Walker. The story is by Geoff Johns, who worked on the New52 Aquaman comic book, James Wan, and Will Beall, writer of Gangster Squad (2013). The screenplay is by David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick, who also wrote The Conjuring 2 (2016) and Wrath of the Titans (2012), and Will Beall. The base of the film’s story is based on Geoff Johns’ Throne of Atlantis” storyline that ran in Aquaman #14-17 (2013) and Justice League #15-17 (2013). Warning: Warner Bros. does a terrible job with its trailers spoiling the entire movie, the first one was a good teaser, but the others have moments from the whole film.
Aquaman was realized in live action played by Alan Ritchson in Smallville with the episode “Aqua” (2005). There was a television pilot, Mercy Reef, by the Smallville creators that was not picked up in 2006. Justin Hartley played Aquaman in the pilot. On film, Aquaman was introduced in Beavis played by Jason Mamoa with a more developed role in Justice League (2017). We get Mamoa as Arthur Curry narrating the story of his parents at Amnesty Bay, Maine, 1985. There is a storm that lashes the sea and lighthouse keeper, Tom Curry (Temuera Morrison) is trying to secure a door when he notices on the rocky shoreline, a woman in white. Morrison is of course known for playing Jango Fett, but also played a DC hero, Abin Sur, in Green Lantern (2011). Morrison has been de-aged through computer graphics.
He takes her in and she wakes to find her wound is bandaged and is in an unfamiliar world thinking a fish tank holds snacks. We find that she is in white scaled armor and that her name is Atlanna. The characters first appeared in Adventure Comics #260 (1959). Aquaman was created by Mort Weisinger and Paul Norris in More Fun Comics #73 (1941). His father in that version was a “famous undersea explorer” who discovered Atlantis, and from its secrets he trained his son to be Aquaman. Atlanna explains that she is a queen and escaped from Atlantis. They have a child whom they name during Hurricane Arthur, which struck the East Coast in 2014, but this may be different in this universe.
He takes her in and she wakes to find her wound is bandaged and is in an unfamiliar world thinking a fish tank holds snacks. We find that she is in white scaled armor and that her name is Atlanna. The characters first appeared in Adventure Comics #260 (1959). Aquaman was created by Mort Weisinger and Paul Norris in More Fun Comics #73 (1941). His father in that version was a “famous undersea explorer” who discovered Atlantis, and from its secrets he trained his son to be Aquaman. Atlanna explains that she is a queen and escaped from Atlantis. They have a child whom they name during Hurricane Arthur, which struck the East Coast in 2014, but this may be different in this universe.
The white-armored Atlantean guards burst into their home and Atlanna defends her family with her trident. The white armor smacks of stormtroopers, helmeted soldiers, but they have plates that sometimes resolve into watery faces. She decides to return to Atlantis so Tom and Arthur will be safe from King Orvax and leaves from the pier next to the lighthouse. Her diving into the sea shifts to an aquarium tank at the Boston Aquarium, Massachusetts. It is really known as the New England Aquarium. Young Arthur, nine years old (Kaan Guldur), is bullied by kids for looking at the fish. We get the shark bashing into window and then all of the sea creatures at the command of Arthur. This power, called Marine Telepathy in the comics, is not a power Aquaman uses it to its fullest.
This turns to the current day with a Russian submarine that is attacked by a prototype aquatic vehicle in the shape of a manta ray. They are pirates led by Jesse (Michael Beach) and his son, David (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II). The rest of the crew have sealed themselves in the back of the submarine. Jesse gives his son a knife from his father who was a Navy frogman turned sea scavenger called Manta. The submarine is struck by some force and lifted to the surface. Of course, this is Aquaman (Mamoa) who enters the submarine and bashes the pirates, some fun action, but Aquaman shrugs off automatic rounds. He moves to free the Russian crew who escape on rafts. David has been looking forward to the fight with Aquaman. He has a long blade that extends from the arm of his black dive suit and armor.
This turns to the current day with a Russian submarine that is attacked by a prototype aquatic vehicle in the shape of a manta ray. They are pirates led by Jesse (Michael Beach) and his son, David (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II). The rest of the crew have sealed themselves in the back of the submarine. Jesse gives his son a knife from his father who was a Navy frogman turned sea scavenger called Manta. The submarine is struck by some force and lifted to the surface. Of course, this is Aquaman (Mamoa) who enters the submarine and bashes the pirates, some fun action, but Aquaman shrugs off automatic rounds. He moves to free the Russian crew who escape on rafts. David has been looking forward to the fight with Aquaman. He has a long blade that extends from the arm of his black dive suit and armor.
Aquaman defeats him, but is struck by an explosive round fired by Jesse. He recovers and rips off a railing that he spears Jesse against a wall. This invulnerability becomes more troubling later since we don't know how much damage Aquaman can take. Jesse fires a round that Aquaman dodges that breaches the hull. David wants Aquaman’s help to free his father, but Aquaman says they killed innocent people and leaves them. Jesse has armed an explosive and David is forced to abandon the submarine. This is a version of the New52 origin of Black Manta by Geoff Johns. Black Manta was introduced in Aquaman #35 (1967). He gets weaponry that he modifies into his own armor. Aquaman pulls the rafts with the Russian sailors at incredible speed.
In Atlantis, King Orm (Patrick Wilson) meets with King Nereus (Dolph Lundgren). He wants to unite the seven kingdoms as Ocean Master and grew up under the influence of Orvax. We hear about the brutality of Orvax's rule, but not about his fate, he seems to be dead by this point of the story. Orm’s first appearance was in Aquaman #29 (1966). Wilson has been with Wan since Insidious (2010) and has previous DC superhero experience playing Nite Owl in Watchmen (2009). King Nereus was also introduced by Geoff Johns in Aquaman #19 (2013). He rules Xebel and his daughter is Mera. Lundgren is well known as Ivan Drago whom he reprised in Creed II this year and he also has DC character cred playin Konstantin Kovar in Arrow. They meet about a war against the surface world when a submarine fires torpedoes at them! Orm pulls some rubble off of King Nereus, flies towards the sub, and slices through it with his trident.
Arthur meets with his father who is always at the pier waiting for Atlanna. Tom takes his son for a meal and drinks while there are news reports about Aquaman. Arthur joins his father at the bar and his fame has brought the attention of some of the bar patrons. Later, they start for Tom’s truck when Mera (Amber Heard) appears from the harbor waters. She first appeared in Aquaman #11 (1963) with the ability to create “hard water” in what is now called “Hydrokinesis.” Mera had a cameo in Justice League and is my favorite character in this movie. She brings up Arthur’s success against Steppenwolf which was in Justice League. Mera tells him about King Orm and the threat of his invasion of the surface world.
Arthur refuses since her people killed his mother and drives away. He of course is the reluctant hero that has to realize his destiny, classic mythology. I also had the sense of Mera like Nala in the Lion King (1994), a loyal warrior sent to return a reluctant prince to return to his throne. In the North Sea, on the surface of the prototype sub, is David. Atlantean guards walk up, and in a watery hologram, Orm says that the submarine was damaged. David points to the intervention of his half-brother and wants revenge. The guards drop coins, thirty pieces of silver? Arthur is driving and sees the build up of a massive tsunami that picks up ships. The truck is swallowed up by the tsunami and Arthur is torn away. The waves part around him and the truck controlled by Mera. Arthur checks on his father and he is unconscious. Mera uses her power to draw out the sea water from his lungs. He thanks Mera and they see the devastation of Orm's attack.
In Atlantis, King Orm (Patrick Wilson) meets with King Nereus (Dolph Lundgren). He wants to unite the seven kingdoms as Ocean Master and grew up under the influence of Orvax. We hear about the brutality of Orvax's rule, but not about his fate, he seems to be dead by this point of the story. Orm’s first appearance was in Aquaman #29 (1966). Wilson has been with Wan since Insidious (2010) and has previous DC superhero experience playing Nite Owl in Watchmen (2009). King Nereus was also introduced by Geoff Johns in Aquaman #19 (2013). He rules Xebel and his daughter is Mera. Lundgren is well known as Ivan Drago whom he reprised in Creed II this year and he also has DC character cred playin Konstantin Kovar in Arrow. They meet about a war against the surface world when a submarine fires torpedoes at them! Orm pulls some rubble off of King Nereus, flies towards the sub, and slices through it with his trident.
Arthur meets with his father who is always at the pier waiting for Atlanna. Tom takes his son for a meal and drinks while there are news reports about Aquaman. Arthur joins his father at the bar and his fame has brought the attention of some of the bar patrons. Later, they start for Tom’s truck when Mera (Amber Heard) appears from the harbor waters. She first appeared in Aquaman #11 (1963) with the ability to create “hard water” in what is now called “Hydrokinesis.” Mera had a cameo in Justice League and is my favorite character in this movie. She brings up Arthur’s success against Steppenwolf which was in Justice League. Mera tells him about King Orm and the threat of his invasion of the surface world.
Arthur refuses since her people killed his mother and drives away. He of course is the reluctant hero that has to realize his destiny, classic mythology. I also had the sense of Mera like Nala in the Lion King (1994), a loyal warrior sent to return a reluctant prince to return to his throne. In the North Sea, on the surface of the prototype sub, is David. Atlantean guards walk up, and in a watery hologram, Orm says that the submarine was damaged. David points to the intervention of his half-brother and wants revenge. The guards drop coins, thirty pieces of silver? Arthur is driving and sees the build up of a massive tsunami that picks up ships. The truck is swallowed up by the tsunami and Arthur is torn away. The waves part around him and the truck controlled by Mera. Arthur checks on his father and he is unconscious. Mera uses her power to draw out the sea water from his lungs. He thanks Mera and they see the devastation of Orm's attack.
News reports come in about attacks around the world, waves are bringing up military ships and the things the surface world has thrown into the sea, there is one scientist, Dr. Stephen Shin (Randall Park) who insists Atlantis is real. He was introduced in the Geoff Johns run with Aquaman #2 (2011). A global crisis? Shouldn't that bring in the Justice League? Wonder Woman? There should at least be a cameo where Aquaman says to one member like the Flash that he will handle it. On a cliff, Arthur tells Mera that is the place where he trained with Vulko (Willem Dafoe) who is also de-aged by CG. The long time Atlantean advisor was introduced in The Brave and Bold #73 (1967). We flash back to the training with Vulko and thirteen years old Arthur (Otis Dhanji). He tells Arthur about swimming and they leap off the cliff. Arthur is surprised that they can speak underwater, this is never really explained, but their voices do echo.
Vulko also shows the incredible speed at swimming that sends him accelerating away. I’m not certain what is the propulsion that Atlanteans use, Mera can use her water powers, but I would hope they spring from rocks, Atlantean buildings, or the seafloor. Young Arthur revels swimming with dolphins. Mera leads Arthur to her Atlantean sub and they approach Atlantis. The only question is how is Atlantis kept a myth? Is there some magic shielding the kingdom? It is not clear how Mera entered Atlantis. There is a bridge that leads into Atlantis which instantly made me think of the MCU’s Thor films including the mythical city beyond it. The city is protected by hydro cannons and guards. The bar is set for an underwater world with Aquaman, but there is the upcoming Avatar movies, 2 and 3 are rumored to be underwater, that James Cameron is working on (using motion capture), will he exceed Atlantis? He is the same director as The Abyss which had an incredible deep sea world and shown contempt for superhero films. Remember that Cameron was the "director" of the Aquaman film in Entourage.
Vulko also shows the incredible speed at swimming that sends him accelerating away. I’m not certain what is the propulsion that Atlanteans use, Mera can use her water powers, but I would hope they spring from rocks, Atlantean buildings, or the seafloor. Young Arthur revels swimming with dolphins. Mera leads Arthur to her Atlantean sub and they approach Atlantis. The only question is how is Atlantis kept a myth? Is there some magic shielding the kingdom? It is not clear how Mera entered Atlantis. There is a bridge that leads into Atlantis which instantly made me think of the MCU’s Thor films including the mythical city beyond it. The city is protected by hydro cannons and guards. The bar is set for an underwater world with Aquaman, but there is the upcoming Avatar movies, 2 and 3 are rumored to be underwater, that James Cameron is working on (using motion capture), will he exceed Atlantis? He is the same director as The Abyss which had an incredible deep sea world and shown contempt for superhero films. Remember that Cameron was the "director" of the Aquaman film in Entourage.
Mera leads Arthur to the Old City, the ruins of the original Atlantis, and a shipwreck that has an air bubble. She explains that High Born Atlanteans can breathe air and water. Arthur has a reunion with Vulko who vowed to protect Atlanna’s son. He tells his student about the Trident of Atlantis that was created by the first king, Atlan (Graham McTavish). Vulko goes on to explain that King Atlan used the trident, but its power sank Atlantis, and transformed its people into water breathers. The trident was lost. Vulko also mentions two tribes; the Deserters and a lost tribe. He has a cylinder that can be used to find the trident.
The Atlantean soldiers break in, Mera and Vulko slip away, and Aquaman is defeated by an Atlantean soldier in elite red armor who has a powered gauntlet. He wakes up chained before his half-brother and challenges him. Vulko wonders if Arthur has remembered his training. We flash back to Arthur at sixteen years old (Kekoa Kekumano), Vulko explains that tridents are the weapons of Atlantean royalty, Arthur is battered by Vulko spinning his trident in an impenetrable barrier. Shades of the Crane Technique? He is tired of training and wants to see his mother and Vulko reveals that because of his birth, King Orvax was jealous, and sent Atlanna to her death. Orm meets with his fiancee, Mera, who has an elaborate dress complete with jellyfish floating above her. He gives her a bracelet and has Vulko take her to view the fight.
The fight with Orm, a gladiator duel like Thor: Ragnarok (2017) ,made me think that Aquaman really can’t be harmed, he wouldn’t be in serious danger, similar to Kevin Sorbo in the Hercules: The Legendary Journeys. I lost all empathy in the characters since they were only vulnerable to the script. The octopus that plays the drums before the battle hints at Topo who first appeared in Adventure Comics #229 (1959). The fight takes place at the Ring of Fire, lava which boils below them, and Arthur is defeated. He is saved by Mera and they escape in Mera's craft. They dodge manta ray-shaped Atlantean ships including one piloted by Orm. Mera and Aquaman escape as their craft crashes into the lava.
Aquaman uses his Marine Telepathy to have a humpback whale take them in its mouth. Orm has tracked Mera and sends Captain Murk (Ludi Lin) to find her and his half-brother. Murk is a character introduced in Aquaman #17 (2013). Lin was the Black Ranger in last year's Power Rangers. The story weaves in Aquaman’s origin, an impeding invasion by Atlantis to the surface world, Aquaman’s quest to find Atlan’s trident that takes them across the world and into the deepest parts of the sea, and the origin of Black Manta. It reminds me more than a little like Gods of Egypt where Set is looking to take over other gods to get his goal while the heroes have their own quest. I like Hercules and Gods of Egypt, also there is a touch of Avatar, Karate Kid (1984), Lion King, and of course the Thor movies. The film picks up with the terror of The Trench which first appeared in Aquaman #1 (2011) by Geoff Johns. There is of course too much Geoff Johns, Wan brings in seven underwater kingdoms, but it is difficult to believe in any of them. Aquaman presents an incredible underwater world and I would like to dive in to it again!
Three Tridents out of Five!
#Aquaman, #JamesWan, #JasonMamoa, #AmberHeard
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