Film Review: "Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom" (2023).

"The tide is turning" in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. This superhero film directed by James Wan, written by David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick, and based on the DC Comics character crated by Mort Weisinger and Paul Norris. It is the sequel to Aquaman (2018), and the 15th film and final installment in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU). Having failed to defeat Aquaman the first time, Black Manta, still driven by the need to avenge his father’s death, will stop at nothing to take Aquaman down once and for all. This time Black Manta is more formidable than ever before, wielding the power of the mythic Black Trident, which unleashes an ancient and malevolent force. To defeat him, Aquaman will turn to his imprisoned brother Orm, the former King of Atlantis, to forge an unlikely alliance. Together, they must set aside their differences in order to protect their kingdom and save Aquaman’s family, and the world, from irreversible destruction.

During the production of the first film, Jason Momoa pitched a story for a sequel. However, Wan did not want to rush a sequel. Ultimately, in January 2019, Wan was in negotiations to return to the director's chair and oversee development when the first film was set to become the highest-grossing film based on a single DC Comics character. In February, Johnson-McGoldrick was hired to pen the sequel. In late February, Warner Bros. scheduled the film for a December 16, 2022 release date. In August 2020, it was confirmed that Wan would return to the director's chair. In March, the planned start date for filming was revealed to be in June, though there was potential for this to be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. In May, it was revealed that the film would begin filming in July. In June, the film's title was announced as Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. By late June, Patrick Wilson, Amber Heard, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Randall Park, Dolph Lundgren, Temuera Morrison, Nicole Kidman, and John Rhys-Davies were confirmed to reprise their roles, with Martin Short, Vincent Regan, Pilou Asbæk rounding out the film's cast. At the same time, principal photography commenced and wrapped in early January 2022. Filming took place at Warner Bros. Studios, Leavesden in London, as well as throughout England and California under the working title Necrus. The visual effects for the film were provided by Cinesite, DNEG, Industrial Light & Magic, Moving Picture Company, and Scanline VFX, with Nick Davis serving as the visual effects supervisor. In March, the film was moved to March 17, 2023. In August 2022, the film was delayed to December 25, 2023. In April 2023, the film's release date was moved to December 20, 2023. In October, the film was delayed to December 22, 2023.

Momoa continues to prove that he's one of the best casting choices of the millennium, interpreting Aquaman. I seriously cannot imagine another actor incorporating the character's essence as seamlessly as him.

And although it is true that the film is not as well-rounded as its predecessor, it maintains the elements that made the first a good film.

Simon says Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom receives:

Also, see my reviews for Malignant and Blue Beetle.