Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (2023)★ 6.4/10

The film depicts the vibrant underwater world vividly, with majestic scenes like the underwater highway and Aquaman riding a seahorse. Building on the previous film’s success, the special effects in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom are impressive, and director James Wan skillfully maintains a tight, humorous narrative.

The plot is straightforward, focusing on brotherhood, preventing an enemy’s resurrection, and saving the world. Despite its simplicity and clichés, the film shines with its humor and stunning visuals.

It's not amazing, but it's not a complete disaster either. It's a light-hearted, funny superhero flick with a half-hearted plot and poor direction. However, the visuals are pretty impressive. After watching it, you won't feel mentally drained and can easily move on to watching other movies.

I totally agree that this movie is an improvement over the first one. It's a fun popcorn superhero film that hits all the right notes with its heartwarming family dynamics and themes of environmental protection. The humor and vibrant depiction of the underwater world are truly captivating. Director James Wan nailed it.

This movie barely passes the mark, with a plot that isn't convoluted or original but still watchable. The director's signature is the underwater scenes, but they feel like a blatant copy of the MCU, making it a mishmash. The once standout female characters are now reduced to mere side roles. And it's both foolish and uninspired in terms of controversy and lazy storytelling. Acting: 2.5, Plot: 2.5, Visual Effects: 2, Overall rating: 7 out of 10.

The sequel maintains the captivating underwater world and stunning oceanic beauty of its predecessor but enhances and innovates them, resulting in more visually stunning and realistic scenes. Be it mysterious underwater cities or grand oceanic battles, the visuals are awe-inspiring, immersing viewers in a mysterious underwater realm. Furthermore, the film utilizes cutting-edge special effects technology, conveying a sense of dedication and professionalism in the intense battles

It turned out to be more complete and exciting than I expected. Sure, it has its clichés, but they're the kind you're used to and don't really mind. This time around, I felt like Aquaman's character was a little bit too naive, while his brother seemed more endearing in comparison. But seriously, I just couldn't handle the part where he eats the roach! Mera is still stunningly beautiful, though. Overall, it's a pretty decent popcorn movie and definitely worth a watch for DC fans!

I have to be honest... I only watched this because of Nicole Kidman. But even her presence can't save this movie. I'm shocked James Wan actually felt compelled to release something as uninspiring as this.

This is the way the DC Extended Universe ends. It is not the conclusion anyone would have predicted. It’s surely not the one DC hardcore fans wanted. This is anything but an epic sendoff. In fact, it is the exact opposite: a self-contained, standalone trifle about a DC B-lister hero who was most famous before shooting to fame as the dude who talked to fish on “Super Friends”.
Then again, given how DC’s mega-franchise has been handled (and mishandled) for the last decade, this whimper of a farewell somehow feels right. It also feels like a mess — an endearing one at times — that has been heavily reworked in the editing room.

For every aspect that works, there are like five that don’t. I will always love that Wan unapologetically goes gonzo mode in some moments, but even with those moments, it still feels like a watered-down Wan film (at least on a stylistic level). Weirdly, it’s a fitting end to the DCEU — not great and ultimately unimpressive, like most of the movies in the DCEU.

This mega-budget flick failed, apparently. There are plenty of slapstick bits, bad one-liners, absurd creature designs, and clumsy ADR. There are obvious references to both Mario Bava's “Planet of the Vampires” and Tobe Hooper's “Texas Chainsaw Massacre”, so James Wan reminds us now and then of his distinct personality.

It's decent as a comedy and sci-fi film, but it clearly falls short as a superhero movie. It seems like the themes in today's superhero movies are getting a bit repetitive, focusing solely on family or environmental conservation. Are the directors running out of fresh ideas? LOL.