Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom: A Deep Dive into the Memorable but Flawed Sequel

When reviewing Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, one cannot help but feel a mix of excitement and disappointment. Despite the film's visually stunning elements and its marketing hype, watching the movie highlights numerous issues that detract from its potential.

Discomforting Visuals and Plot Holes

From the get-go, the film's hair effects are jarring. The continuous movement of Aquaman's hair, seemingly defying gravity, is distractingly off-putting. The languid pace of the storytelling, with unrealistic dialogues and sporadic transitions, further diminishes the viewing experience.

Overlong Story

Eventually, one realizes that the film is over two hours long, a significant portion of which is filled with tedious scenes that lack any meaningful impact on the plot. The underwater train crash sequence, with its poorly executed CGI, is a prime example of how the film falls short in delivering a coherent and engaging narrative. Expectant viewers can attribute this flawed storyline to the misguided attempt to be edgy, with characters like Aquaman cursing and scenes that are either bleeped or cut for comedic effect.

Incongruous Elements

Another aspect that hampers the film's quality is the unexpected appearance of the controversial character, "She Who Must Not Be Named." Her presence disrupts the immersion and distracts the audience, making the story feel less cohesive and more like a compilation of various subplots.

Unfulfilled Potential

Despite its potential, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom fails to live up to expectations. The movie could have been a great conclusion to the DCEU Chapter 1 but, instead, it feels like a missed opportunity. The film is good but lacks the emotional depth and impactful storytelling that could have transformed it into a masterpiece.

Character Development and Villain Arc Shortcomings

Several improvements could have elevated the film to a more satisfying experience. Interestingly, the hero's journey was lacking in pivotal moments like loss and pain. There was a need for the protagonist to go through an emotionally painful experience, such as one that could be achieved by offing his wife, Amber Heard. Her role was minimal, and her absence could have provided a depth to the character that was sorely missing. The same goes for the villain, whose arc needed more time and development to make the protagonist's journey more impactful.

Resolution and Emotional Disconnect

The ending of the film is particularly disappointing. While the climactic battle was visually impressive, the resolution felt rushed and unsatisfying. The threat of war between the surface world and Atlantis was not adequately addressed, leaving the audience with a sense of unresolved conflict. The background score, while good, could not compensate for the overall emotional disconnect the film experienced.

In conclusion, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom offers a visually stunning and potentially compelling narrative, but it falls short of its full potential due to numerous flaws, including unrealistic special effects, lackluster dialogue, and a convoluted plot. Despite these shortcomings, the film's faithful fans may still find enjoyment in it, hoping that the sequel, now in the planning stage, will do justice to the character.