Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom
Serving as the King of Atlantis as well as the full time father to his infant son, and, still holding duties as a member of the Justice League, Aquaman (Jason Momoa), is beginning to feel a bit stretched thin for time. So, when sworn enemy Black Manta (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) makes a return, stronger than ever, it’s time to call in help from the exiled king of Atlantis, Orm (Patrick Wilson), then again, maybe it’s already too late.
Written by David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick, James Wan, and Jason Momoa, and Directed by James Wan, this mildly redemptive return to the world of Atlantis seeks to make up for mis-steps in previous installments by successfully poking fun at itself and moving at a considerably swifter pace and with fewer Octopi beating on drums. Regardless, there’s still plenty of mind-numbing classic comic blunders, follies, and tropes along the way, and for the DC Extended Universe this final flick feels like an elevated shoulder shrug and lacking fresh premise, drive, or creative angle. Running two hours and four minutes it’s hard to argue for a shorter film, but perhaps a more explorative narrative. Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is rated PG-13.