Film critics hail Aquaman the most ambitious DC movie to date and praise Jason Momoas performance
Fans of superhero movies have been waiting with bated breath for James Wans newest film, Aquaman, featuring the beefed up Jason Mamoa as the quintessential smart- mouthed hero.
Aquaman, which is the directors first comic book blockbuster, generated quite the buzz online when trailers came out. Featuring Amber Heard, Patrick Wilson, Nicole Kidman, and Julie Andrews in what was originally a secret role, the DC Extended Universe movie has been a rare hit with critics, who panned other blockbuster attempts, including Batman v Superman and Suicide Squad.
Arguably the only success story thus far for DC has been Wonder Woman, with Gal Gadot in the drivers seat of the origin story that got the approval of lots of fans the world over.
So, how does the swashbuckling Aquaman measure up? Quite well, actually.
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The Warner Bros/DC movie, which will be released to the public in a matter of weeks, has impressed film buffs, and they are particularly taken with Momoas performance as Arthur Curry, King of Atlantis.
Following the films world premiere at Leicester Squares Cineworld in London, critics scrambled onto Twitter to share their initial thoughts about it. The overarching theme is that its fun, and has great action sequences.
Fans of superheroes will be aware of the (mostly) playful animosity between Marvel and DC fans, and one critic called Aquaman the most ambitious DC movie to date.
Editor of Slashfilm Peter Sciretta was one of the first to weigh in as he wrote: Aquaman is better than expected.
Feels like a Marvel phase one movie, in a good way. Its at its best when its having fun and not taking itself too seriously. Black Manta is [a] great villain that comic book fans will love. Some truly spectacular one shots and good action.
He continues by talking about the big battle scene, which he says doesnt devolve into the typical comic book movie blah trap, and is surprisingly ambitious.
Meg Downey echoes his sentiments and admired Wans decision to be completely unafraid.
#Aquaman is a buckwild movie which is honestly both good and bad in (almost) equal measure, she writes. If nothing else, it looks great and its completely unafraid to just go for it, which I appreciate in it.
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Tom Jorgensen goes one step further, and calls Aquaman the best DC since The Dark Knight. Bold words.
Third act battle that doesnt devolve into the typical comic book movie blah trap, and is surprisingly ambitious. A lot of the aspects I didnt like can probably be traced back to decisions Snyder made that were inherited by Wan (casting, chemistry between Heard/Mamoa…etc).
— Peter Sciretta (@slashfilm) November 26, 2018
#Aquaman is a buckwild movie which is honestly both good and bad in (almost) equal measure. If nothing else, it looks great and it's completely unafraid to just go for it, which I appreciate in it.
— Meg Downey (@rustypolished) November 26, 2018
There were moments where I felt #Aquaman might be running a little long but it has SO much to unpack in building its own isolated world.
Huge, epic, unique, and stylish action-sequences balance the heavy exposition.
Movie isn't out yet but I want more from Wan, Momoa, & co.
— Brandon Davis (@BrandonDavisBD) November 26, 2018
Aquaman is a big, fun, wild ride. Its unabashedly melodramatic and over the top with the largest, most ambitious sense of scale imaginable. Parts of it are kind of bad but they are not the majority and, oddly, still fit in with the cartoony tone. 2nd best DCU movie. YEEEAAHH! pic.twitter.com/3GLlK3uQJ3
— Germain Lussier (@GermainLussier) November 26, 2018
#Aquaman is the best DC movie since The Dark Knight.@creepypuppet delivers a swashbuckling epic full of big emotion, gorgeous undersea visuals, exciting action, and lots of laughs.
WB should be handing the DCEU reins to James Wan, he's proven he can, ahem, right the ship. pic.twitter.com/4hjxdmNLDf
— Tom Jorgensen (@Tom_Jorgensen) November 26, 2018
Aquaman reviews are embargoed until 11 December, and the film will officially be released in the UK on 14 December.
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