Dive into the depths of the cinematic sea, where the much-anticipated Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom struggles to keep its head above water. Directed by James Wan and armed with a hefty $205 million budget, this sequel, aiming to be the DCEU’s grand finale, sadly falls short of making waves.
Jason Momoa returns as the charismatic Arthur Curry, our oceanic hero facing off against an ancient power threatening Atlantis. Despite Momoa’s tidal-wave-like charisma, the film fails to rise above the sea of superhero mediocrity. Even the efforts of returning cast members Amber Heard, Nicole Kidman, and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II feel like rearranging deck chairs on a sinking ship.
The plot moves forward like a half-hearted breaststroke, with Arthur battling his arch-nemesis, Black Manta, armed with the formidable Black Trident and a grudge older than the power he seeks. A surprising alliance with his half-brother Orm, played by Patrick Wilson, attempts to add depth, exploring themes of brotherhood and redemption, but the execution is clumsy.
James Wan’s visually stunning underwater extravaganzas and mythical creatures provide a spectacle, but it often feels like a distraction from the lackluster plot. The film leans on familiar tropes, with scenes following a well-trodden path, robbing us of the excitement that comes with the unexpected.
In an attempt to infuse excitement, the film, regarded by some as jinxed from the beginning, emerges as the best live-action superhero film of 2023 – a title earned in a lackluster field, considering the flops of other DC releases this year. As we prepare to bid adieu to this chapter of spandexed heroes, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom serves as a stark reminder that even underwater kingdoms can’t escape the sinking feeling of creative bankruptcy.
As fans await the much-needed DCEU reboot, let’s hope for a fresh tide that washes away the underwhelming echoes of Aquaman’s lost kingdom. Until then, the sea of superhero cinema awaits its next champion. 
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