Movie Review # 642: Aquaman & The Lost Kingdom (2023)

Ladies, and gentlemen, today, we go from reviewing the first Aquaman movie to its sequel that was just released shortly before Christmas time a couple weeks ago. So now, with Jason Mamoa, and the gang back in the game, let’s discuss the 2023 sequel, Aquaman & The Lost Kingdom.

Plot: Several years after the events of the first Aquaman movie, Arthur/Aquaman (Jason Mamoa) and Queen Mera (Amber Heard) are married, and have a child, whom they name Arthur Jr.. Meanwhile, after hiring, and while working with marine biologist Stephen Shin (Randall Park), David Kane/Black Manta (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) becomes even more obsessed with avenging his father’s death after attaining an Atlantean artifact called the Black Trident. After breaking breaking his half-brother, Orm Marius (Patrick Wilson) out of prison, both he, and Aquaman eventually come to discover a lost kingdom called Necrus, which became lost, and cursed after the former king used the Black Trident for evil purposes. So now, upon discovering that Black Manta plans to use it at the lost kingdom of Necrus to awaken evil forces, will Aquaman, and Orm be able to stop him before he can do so?

So now, you may all be wondering, is Aquaman & The Lost Kingdom as good as its predecessor? Well, though there are one, or two flaws in it that keep it from being superior to the first film, It’s still really good. First of all, there is some really creative symbolism in this film. I won’t say how, but let’s just say that people will be very impressed by that aspect of the film. Next, there are the really impressive visuals. Oh man did they go all out on those this time around. From the vibrant bright colors of Atlantis, to the explosions during action scenes, the scenes involving deserts, to even the really dark colors of this film, the filmmakers really did make some great-looking CGI this time around. Additionally, Aquaman & The Lost Kingdom seems to have a feel of films like Iron Man, Star Wars, and even Lord Of The Rings to a degree as well. Very interesting for a DC Comics movie, wouldn’t you say? Additionally, Rupert Gregson-Williams’ score goes bigger, and better this time around. It almost seems to have not only a 1980s feel to it, but also an anime kind of feel as well. Oh, and there’s some really impressive, and creative comedy well crafted in this sequel. Sure, some of that comedy is crude, but more cleaner humor seemed to outweigh the crude moments. It was also great to see the Aquaman’s kingdom expanded upon, and to learn more about the myth of Aquaman. What’s more is that there were some really well-written character arcs particularly for our main characters. Finally, for positives, it was really good to have messages about being willing to let go of power, and willing to give others second chances.

Honestly, the only flaws are that, first of all, though most of the characters are well developed, and some of the newer ones, there is some development, at least from some of the newer ones, that seems to be lacking at points. The other thing would be that, though there was a fair amount of depth to certain aspects of Aquaman & The Lost Kingdom, those aspects could have maybe been elaborated on a little more than they were in the end.

And that’s my review for Aquaman & The Lost Kingdom. Though it doesn’t beat the first film as far as quality goes, it still did a mostly great job of going above, and beyond what the first film gave us. It’s fun, has impressive action, really cool visuals, mostly good comedy, a good majority of well-written characters, and more than one could ask for in a sequel. All to say, definitely go see Aquaman & The Lost Kingdom, if you haven’t yet. It is most definitely worth your time. It is one of those sequels that you’ll really like, if not love, from beginning to end.

Final Grade: A-