Fellman's Movie Reviews

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is a 2023 superhero film based on the DC comics character. It is a sequel to the movie Aquaman that came out in 2018. This movie brings back Jason Momoa as Aquaman, Patrick Wilson as his brother Orm, Amber Heard as his wife Mera, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as his arch-rival Black Manta, Dolph Lundgren as King Nereus, Temuera Morrison as Aquaman’s father, Thomas Curry, Nicole Kidman as his mother, Atlanna, and Randall Park as Dr. Stephen Shin. Martin Short makes an appearance as the voice of Kingfish. The ruler of a pirate haven called “The Sunken Citadel”.  

While not a great movie, this one isn’t a total abomination like the first Aquaman was. For one, the CGI on this one was a major improvement over the first movie. The special effects on the first Aquaman movie were bush league at best. The special effects on this were at least crisp and not so obvious. And I’m not talking about things like lasers and stuff that you know were special effects. I’m talking about hair and other things like that. Things that shouldn’t need special effects, but they did it anyway. 

The writing isn’t that much improved. While better than the first, it’s still pretty weak. I think they were trying to go for a buddy comedy kind of vibe with Aquaman and Orm. But it just turned kind of awkward at points, and not so much funny. Again, I think the writing had a lot to do with that. The dialogue was a big part of what made the movie so cringeworthy at times. 

Not to say that the acting is any better. Honestly, I think the best actor in the movie is Randall Park. He’s the only one that actually shows any range in his character. As well as Yahya Abdul-Mateen. His character had some emotion with their part. Everybody else was just kind of there. Jason Momoa just kind of does what he does. Nicole Kidman has only one facial expression. And Patrick Wilson constantly looks like he’s waiting for the bus.  

I will say the story is a lot better this time around than it was the first time. I felt like some of the action scenes went on a little too long, and a couple got thrown in for no reason just to let Jason Momoa get some more action scenes in. But all in all, the plot was much better than the first Aquaman movie. That’s not saying a whole lot, but it’s better than nothing.  

But honestly, once again, unless you’re a big Aquaman fan, you really can skip this one. If you didn’t see the first one, this one isn’t that much better. It’s better, but not by a whole lot. So, no. Don’t go see Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. There’s better superhero movies, and better superheroes, out there for you to spend your time on. And, as always, keep on watching, with a smile on your face…