How well did Aquaman do during its theatrical release? It joined that rare cinematic club of billion-dollar-making movies … yes, that’s billion with a “b.” In case you missed it, or want to watch it again and again (which I recommend purchasing it because it’s that much fun and is one of those superhero films that will play well on repeated viewings), Aquaman has arrived on Blu-Ray, DVD and digital download formats.
The James Wan directed contribution to the DC Comics cinematic universe is an utter blast on every level. Besides serving as a solid origins story for a founding member of the Justice League, Aquaman was a showcase in casting being everything. Jason Momoa was born to be the sea-based superhero. Although he was terrific in Justice League, the actor flourishes in a film solely devoted to his (literally) swims with the fishes hero. The backstory of his father, lighthouse keeper Tom Curry (Temuera Morrison), meeting his mother—the royal undersea queen Atlanna (Nicole Kidman)—when it was him who saved her is quite touching. It provides a framework for everything that happens throughout the film and aides us quite effectively in understanding our titular hero, his inner conflict and in the end, why he is the perfect soul to lead his people at the time when they need inspiration the most.
For an audience who has grown simultaneously shrewd and up to their gills with origins stories (for example, Spider-Man has had three in the last 15 years), Wan and his team of screenwriters have weaved a web (pun not intended) with their Aquaman origins story that does something fascinating with the entire idea. Sure, we get to see Arthur Curry as a little boy and his knack for communicating with sea creatures is on full display. But it is done in a manner that is subtle, quick and doesn’t take up too much of the film’s running time or the audiences headspace for processing the information about how Aquaman became Aquaman. It’s an intelligent move in that audiences don’t need their hand held when it comes to these introductory stories. “Get on with it,” has been the sentiment more often than not with origin movies and that is exactly what Wan and his storytelling team does with Aquaman.
We love how there’s this mystery and questions about his mother that gets answers via action instead of exposition. Yes, there is a flashback, but it is done so efficiently that it never holds back the strong forward momentum of a movie’s plot movement—something that is especially important in a superhero/action movie of this caliber.
Wan, some may have felt, was an interesting choice to helm this first Aquaman stand-alone flick. After all, he cut his teeth in the horror genre and this is an entirely different set of genre rules. The thing is … horror fans are among the most astute in the cinema realm and as such, Wan has had to streamline his horrific tales in a way that gets to the point, i.e. the action, sooner than later and that “training” bodes well for him making the move to superhero cinema.
Our culture’s fascination with all things Atlantis has spanned decades … centuries, honestly. Having a superhero, a member of the Justice League no less, that is a child of Atlantis, already sparks the intrigue of countless folks who are fascinated by that fact. Having him be raised by a lighthouse keeper, of all vocations, further emphasizes the importance of the sea and how we as human beings are all children of the ocean. Curry (Momoa) has historically been seen as someone who can bridge these two worlds, above sea and below it. As Wan and his storytelling team for Aquaman expertly shows, is that is not something that is taken lightly or for granted. They also triumphantly spotlight the importance of having someone in that unique position be a hero to the masses when we as a society so desperately need that. In an era where we are flooded with superhero films, there is something about the character of Aquaman, as painted by Wan’s brush, that almost makes him the hero we need now—more than any other.
Now, the conflict (that of course must arise for any story to have any kind of power) arises in the most classical of ways. King Orm (Patrick Wilson) is Arthur’s half brother. Let’s just say that they have different views of the topsiders. Orm wants to bring a war to them, knowing full well that the humans don’t stand a chance. Why should they live in the shadows, King Orm believes, when they—power-wise—should be the ones ruling it? Arthur does not share his brother’s opinion on the subject and as such, that puts him on a collision course with his sibling in the most Shakespearean of manners. Much like what happened in Black Panther, two brothers will battle for the future of their respective kingdoms and hanging in the balance is the fate of the “regular people” of the world.
Patrick Wilson completely and utterly loses himself in the role of King Orm and has an absolute blast. That old adage about if the performer is having a ball, so too will the audience has never been truer than watching Wilson (and the entire cast for that matter). There are multiple occasions where Wilson could have been found guilty of chewing up the scenery, but he delivers a measured turn as our main antagonist that is pitch perfect for the world Wan has crafted.
Never been the biggest fan of Amber Heard, if I’m being honest. But she is expertly cast as Mera, the soul charged with bringing Arthur back to his rightful home in the ocean. She is commanding in the part and in the hands of a lesser actress, could have been seen solely as a love interest—which would have done it a tremendous disservice. With Heard providing the bravado for Mera, she is a person who can fight (and win) her own battles and Momoa and her have a righteous chemistry that enhances the effectiveness of the entire plot.
Momoa expertly steps back and lets Heard command when it’s rightfully needed. For that matter, the actor shows great strength throughout the film and possesses a keen eye and ear for the ebbs and flows of the performance required of the person charged with being Aquaman in this “origins” story. Everything the actor has done prior to this has led him to this moment and he grabs the opportunity by the collar and gives a chill-inducing performance that has endeared him to countless folks who have been waiting patiently for an Aquaman movie. Momoa has shown hints of greatness for years, but there is something about him and the underwater superhero that have an unspoken kinship that is reflected in every single frame throughout the entire Aquaman experience. We cannot wait to see Aquaman 2 to see where Wan and his team take the hero, but more so what Momoa does with this character in terms of growth, emotionally, personally and yes, heroically.
As stated in our theatrical Aquaman review, Wan’s film is a visual stunner. Granted the time to see this kind of film was on the big screen, but that being said, the video and audio transfer for the home video release could not have been better. With today’s home theater technology, the elements for an explosively enjoyable experience with a film like Aquaman is all there.
Now, besides the oddness of witnessing an octopus playing the drums in one scene (yeah, I know), one big fault we had with it was the essentially wasted inclusion of Yahya Abdul-Manteen II as the legendary Aquaman villain, Black Manta. Perhaps he is being set up for future installment, but by the close of the film, don’t be surprised if you look back and wonder why he is even in this thing at all?
The bonus features clock in at over 100 minutes of never-before-seen elements that will meet all expectations and supersede them.
Our absolute favorite, given our thoughts on Momoa this should surprise no one, is Becoming Aquaman. The 13-minute look at Momoa and his interpretation of the character, how he physically trained to become the superhero and his experience making the movie is outstanding. If you thought he was a perfect match for Aquaman before witnessing this featurette, you’ll be giving a homebound standing ovation for the actor after the bonus feature that showcases his Aquaman journey.
Going Deep Into the World of Aquaman is an almost 20-minute look at how the film went form idea through storyboards through CGI, practical set creation, the costumes and so much more. After Going Deep one will want to head right into James Wan: World Builder. The title of the director’s featurette could not be better. Wan has built a world in Aquaman that not only enthralls and entertains us but has us beyond eager to go back at the earliest possible moment. Owning this Blu-Ray, one can literally dive right in again and after witnessing these first three featurettes, don’t be surprised if you start thinking about when to revisit Atlantis once again!
There are several visual-centric, how did they do that, featurettes that will satisfy the fan turned vicariously living through Wan filmmaker in all of us. Aqua Tech illustrates the importance of lighting rigs, pre-visualization and set design, all spokes in the wheel that is the larger production. My only critique of this featurette is that it should have been a tad longer! A terrific “companion piece” to Aqua Tech is Atlantis Warfare. As one who has always been fascinated by the tech created for superheroes and other sci-fi type flicks, this was right up my alley in how it showcases the weapons used in the battle sequences and how CGI was used to bring those tools to life.
Creating Undersea Creatures is another techie-based featurette that will be interesting for those who were taken by the beings that inhabit these undersea worlds Wan manifested in Aquaman. There’s lots of concept art brought to life moments and for those wondering “how did they do that?” this is not the piece to explain it. It is more of a showcase of the world building done by Wan and his team.
Kingdoms of the Seven Seas, hosted by none other than Dolph Lundgren (who plays King Nereus, one of the six kingdoms that live underwater), gives us a look at the sextet of royal lands in the undersea world with a tease of the seventh.
Rather enjoyed the Heroines of Atlantis featurette because the actresses who were charged with bringing those heroines to life are given such rich characters, it’s delightful to see and hear them wax poetic about the strong souls they get to bring to life. Heard and Kidman dish their characters, Mera and Atlanna, and it’s interesting to hear what each found the biggest takeaway from their own Aquaman experience.
The Dark Depths of Black Manta will only reinforce my thoughts about Black Manta. Hearing what Abdul-Mateen II say about his take on the legendary villain only makes us wish there was more to his role than what we got in Aquaman. But it does give us great hope that in future installment, we’ll get that Black Manta-Aquaman faceoff that should be about as explosive as protagonist-antagonist battles get.
Speaking of villains, we already heard how Momoa got into shape and fighting ready for battle, Villainous Training gives us the other side of that coin with Wilson’s commentary on the role of King Orm and his own personal challenges of portraying the “evil” half-brother of our hero.
Scene Study Breakdowns will make movie nerds smile with glee as it tackles various integral scenes, such as the Submarine Attack scene, the Showdown in Sicily movie moment and of course The Trench. Another one that will bring happiness to the viewer is A Match Made in Atlantis. The merely three-minute featurette puts Momoa and Heard and the results are bonafide pure joy as the pair discuss their pairing, working together and why—they think—their chemistry is so magical.
Last, but not least by any stretch of the imagination, is the three-minute look at Shazam!, exclusive to this home video release. Think Aquaman is fun … just you wait until April 5 for Zachary Levi’s turn in the “he was born to play this character” sweepstakes.
Film grade: B
Bonus Features: A