Aquaman is GOOD

[megomania]

Wow. Saw AM last night....not only was it the worst Superhero movie I've ever seen, it might be one of the worst movies I've seen period. I've walked out of one movie in my life....Dragnet....would have walked out on this one except we were with family. Even my 8 yo son - who is all-in on everything Superhero - was bored. The dude sitting in front of me walked out 1/2 way through. SFX and CGI were like 5 levels below Marvel.

Just terrible.

-Chris

And wow looks like I'm in the total minority

[huedell]

Oh my gosh, this movie blew me away. It's an epic, has heart and seemed devoid of the mire that's made Superman so hard to like. I loved this and my whole family wants to go again.

When Aquaman jumps on that seahorse, it looked cool, i deemed that impossible.

Oh and the guy who played Black Manta's dad? He voiced Devil Ray on JLU. Neat!

I am so happy that the consensus around here is better than RT's, YT, etc.

I've been feeling more edgy this year than usual, and took a break from posting so as not to bring my simmering "Net-toxicity" here at the MM.

If I saw too many negatives & not enough positives in the AQUAMAN movie thread here, it woulda drove me NUTS, and I woulda had a hard time not getting preachy with responses.

A major criticism I've seen outside here is my least favorite traditional valid bullet-point film criticism, and that is "tone disparity".

Well? I don't think a tone disparity for an uber-fantasy movie where anything can happen is that good of a reason to slam AQUAMAN... which, could be, quite simply, my favorite superhero movie of all-time.

Subjectively to be VERY SURE.

But almost coming to tears while simply seeing that typically obligatory "Weeeeeee, look at me enjoying my new super-hero-powers!!!!" scene made me want to defend this purely off of EMOTION.

So---sue me.

[palitoy]

Stoklassa hated most of the marvel movies too including Civil War. Also, both of them seem to think the character is a joke, so I disagree with them on this one.

[Sideshow Spock]

Naturally the Half in the Bag guys were somewhat less than impressed..

"I think this movie will play very well with 13 year-old boys and mentally deficient adults."

[Wee67]

I couldn't help but think about Entourage while watching Aquaman- we've come so far that what was once a joke is now a serious superhero film.

That said... I think I'm the only one here not blown away by this movie. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed it. It was MUCH better than Bats V Supes or JL, but that bar wasn't that high. I loved the fight scenes and the final creature was really cool. And yeah, AM jumping on the seahorse was a blast. The general story was well done and I thought Patrick Wilson did a nice job convincing me Orm was this insecure meglomaniac who needed to rule to vindicate not being first born. As much as Black Manta is my favorite character from the AM world, his plot line felt forced. And the actor who played him chewed up the scenery.

Bottom Line- I'd give it a good, solid B.

[Hedji]

I never watched the show. That is a fun plot device.

Is the show any good? If so, I'll give it a try.

Entourage was a fun show, yes! Mind you, it ushered in the modern age of binge worthy episodic television when there wasn't as much competition, but it was a very charming bromance kind of show. They reference the character cast as Aquaman, but you never do get to see him in a costume, or any footage.

[palitoy]

I have brainwashed my family with classic superhero cartoons - so when he jumped on the seahorse we all immediately turned to each other to show our approval!

yeah we share that.

[Brue]

Oh my gosh, this movie blew me away. It's an epic, has heart and seemed devoid of the mire that's made Superman so hard to like.

Yep

When Aquaman jumps on that seahorse, it looked cool,

I have brainwashed my family with classic superhero cartoons - so when he jumped on the seahorse we all immediately turned to each other to show our approval!

[Brue]

It's so weird to have watched the show Entourage almost 15 years ago, where the narrative chronicles an actor's break out role in "James Cameron's Aquaman" movie.

Anyone else thinking about that as you view this?

I never watched the show. That is a fun plot device.

Is the show any good? If so, I'll give it a try.

[Brue]

... it's a fun, full-on comic book adaptation. An unabashed Aquaman movie that just embraces the honestly ludicrious trappings of the character we all love, and makes them work on the screen. Momoa's character grows and changes throughout, Mera is a strong, likeable hero of his equal, and the action and visuals are jaw-droppingly awesome. The whole family really enjoyed it.

... Go see it!!!

Chris

Change the signature on this post to Brue

[Hedji]

It's so weird to have watched the show Entourage almost 15 years ago, where the narrative chronicles an actor's break out role in "James Cameron's Aquaman" movie.

Anyone else thinking about that as you view this? Here's an EW article on the subject. https://ew.com/tv/2018/12/17/aquaman...ge-doug-ellin/

[Hedji]

When Aquaman jumps on that seahorse, it looked cool, i deemed that impossible.

YES!!! I lost my mind at that scene. This is a film I will revisit a LOT.

If anyone hasn't seen this in 3D, make it a priority. Those underwater laser beams are an absolute mind trip in 3D. Thankfully, word is this will be getting a 3D blu ray release.

[Earth 2 Chris]

^Wow, Brian, I had no idea about the Devil Ray connection! And I host a JLU podcast! Great catch (pun intended).

I did a fist pump motion (accidentally elbowing Cindy in the arm) and said a low, but audible "YES!" when he got on that seahorse.

Rob Kelly's thoughts on the film (along with Shag, Cindy and myself) are up on the Fire and Water podcast now. Short version. He dug it!

Fire & Water Aquaman Review

Chris

Chris

[palitoy]

Oh my gosh, this movie blew me away. It's an epic, has heart and seemed devoid of the mire that's made Superman so hard to like. I loved this and my whole family wants to go again.

When Aquaman jumps on that seahorse, it looked cool, i deemed that impossible.

Oh and the guy who played Black Manta's dad? He voiced Devil Ray on JLU. Neat!

[enyawd72]

I at first thought he was blowing me kisses.

I won't pee in Aquaman's pool, but if anyone wants to start a new thread to talk about the merits of Star Wars TPM, I'll be there.

I'll do it!