When Man of Steel premiered in theaters in 2013, it promised a bright era of storytelling featuring the characters of DC lore. That has ended with Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, but just like the franchise did over a decade ago, James Wan’s sequel never takes off. Despite Jason Momoa’s best efforts to keep Arthur Curry as a charismatic and mighty warrior, his second solo adventure disappoints as an action blockbuster. An entire universe just ended with a story that’s far from the explosive action seen in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice andWonder Woman.
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom takes place a few years after the first film, with Arthur Curry exploring what it’s like to be a father after having Arthur Jr. with Mera (Amber Heard). However, as if parenting wasn’t a significant challenge, Black Manta (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) would take control of the Black Trident to change everything Arthur knew about Atlantis. It’s up to the king of the underwater civilization to stop the Black Manta before it’s too late, as he continues to pollute a planet already on the brink of irreparable damage. Only a team of intelligent, powerful individuals could win the battle for the planet’s heart.
The firstAquamanfilm was entertaining with its exciting visuals and unpredictable sense of humor, but the sequel was different. The plot struggles to move forward as if the adventure itself was aware that it was closing out a franchise that wasn’t very successful. While the emotional stakes appear to be high due to the involvement of Arthur’s baby in the story, it’s hard to be concerned about the outcome of a battle that was promised five years ago, as The Lost Kingdom arrives on the big screen a bit too late. But even in a movie that tries hard to evoke the tone of its predecessor, there are some things to appreciate.
Patrick Wilson is back as Orm, Arthur’s evil half-brother who was imprisoned after trying to take the throne of Atlantis for himself in the previous installment. Wilson’s charm as the warrior is undeniable, and he inflects his enchanting presence with the deadpan delivery a former ruler of Atlantis needs. Orm must be made aware of how human life works, prompting him to be confused whenever Aquaman requires him to move quickly. The former king has a role similar to the one Mera had in the first film, joining Arthur on his quest while the rest of Atlantis stays behind. However, not even Orm’s personality can save a story that doesn’t take itself too seriously but doesn’t want to have plenty of fun, either.
The main thread running through the plot of Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is a direct connection to Atlantis’ distant past and how it translates into the origin of the Black Trident. However, instead of exploring how that affects Arthur and how it compares to the kind of king he wants to be, it’s only used as another reason for Manta and the titular hero to punch each other in the face. If the movie wasn’t going to take itself seriously, to begin with, which wouldn’t have been wrong at all, it could’ve used the opportunity to become a full-blown comedy that relied on the charisma of its lead stars. Instead, it settled for being one of the decent and somewhat adequate installments of the DC Extended Universe (DCEU).
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom has some redeeming qualities that make the sequel an experience that shouldn’t be avoided, even if this won’t end up as most people’s choice for a rewatch. While the unpredictably timed explosions remind us why they were so amusing in the first movie, Randall Park’s Dr. Stephen Shin is one of Atlantis’ most significant highlights. The WandaVision actor brought the best of his charisma for Wan’s sequel, with the character making the audience laugh in the middle of a quest that could’ve been an email. Shin steals every scene with his swift, awkward comedic timing and honest remarks about the dangerous situations he finds himself in.
With a forgettable plot and some charisma coming from its main cast, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom fails to live up to its predecessor and the DCEU it has the privilege of bringing to a close. Wan’s sequel is almost entertaining, finding sparks in a couple of isolated moments while failing to make the entire experience attractive. The King of Atlantis might have better luck when his next iteration comes swinging around, even if that might take a few years. If audiences didn’t adore the first Aquaman movie with every bone in their bodies, they should wait for the next franchise to begin instead of returning to Atlantis.
Rating: 5.5/10