The end of Jason Momoa’s underwater beefcake has been officially announced by new bosses James Gunn and Peter Safran, as Warner Bros.’ troubled superhero franchise comes to an embarrassing end with Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, despite being a follow-up to the biggest hit in the DC Extended Universe.
This exciting, if mechanical, new adventure makes it hard to mourn the loss.
Aquaman (Momoa), who has ascended to the throne of Atlantis, is spending his time raising his newborn with Queen Mera (a barely noticeable Amber Heard, not exactly dispelling those wild behind-the-scenes rumors.) and performing his royal duties.
That is until David Kane (Candyman’s Yahya Abdul-Mateen II)—hell-bent on avenging the death of his father in the first movie—happens upon an ancient, all-powerful trident and summons the dark magic of a fabled lost kingdom to wreak havoc upon Atlantis.
To protect his people, Aquaman must team up on a quest with his exiled brother Orm (Patrick Wilson), make a whole bunch of lazily written wisecracks, and pound a few six-packs of Guinness with his dad (Temuera Morrison). (Let’s just try and ignore the fact that they’re drinking them straight out of the can.)
A plot concerning global warming and an imminent climate disaster is also present; it involves the antagonist burning portions of a legendary material known as Orichalcum (do not laugh; it exists).
In theory, any movie teeming with fantastical ocean creatures, neon-streaked underwater metropolises, and Nicole Kidman riding a freakin’ cybernetic shark should be a no-brainer blast of escapism.
Nevertheless, in spite of all its artistic excess, the Lost Kingdom never gets past the monotony of its green screen action.
Although it heavily references Jules Verne, The Lord of the Rings, Avatar, and Star Wars (Martin Short plays a gangster fish that resembles Jabba the Hutt, bless him), the movie lacks a distinct identity.
Positively, this should indicate that we get to see more of director James Wan in a corrupted capacity.
