Jason Momoa wields the powerful Trident of Neptun as he returns as the titular Aquaman. Image: screengrab from YouTube
During the height of the superhero film arms race, DC kept trying to catch up with its rival. One of the bright spots in its tumultuous run is the remarkable performance of “Aquaman.” In a universe that includes Superman and Batman, the oft-ridiculed superhero who rides a seahorse and talks to fish, blazed the global ticket counters to amass $1.15 billion. To date, “Aquaman” is the highest-grossing film in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU). And it shall remain so unless “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom,” its sequel and the final film in the DCEU, outperforms prognostications and overcomes superhero fatigue.
Still looking like a cross between a surfer and metal band roadie, Jason Momoa returns as Aquaman—the rightful king and a new father. Straddling land and sea, he sees himself in a unique position to help humans counter natural disasters that also affect his kingdom. Yet his council continues to reject his proposal to share Atlantean knowledge with climate change scientists. Compounding his problems is old foe Black Manta (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II), who stumbled upon a cursed lost kingdom and its ancient tech that could accelerate climate change. Practically left with no choice, Aquaman turns to the one person who can help him, Orm (Patrick Wilson), the half-brother he helped imprison.
With the cursed Black Trident in his hands, Black Manta (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) gained immense power to seek revenge against Aquaman. Image: screengrab from YouTube
“Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” centers around the relationship of the two brothers teaming up to avert a global disaster. Thor and Loki but making it under the sea is not a far-off pitch, and the film itself references the god of mischief. It seems the filmmakers listened to the comments about the previous movie and gave the people what they wanted. “Oh, so Aquaman is Thor? Here is Aquaman referencing Loki. Do you like the octopus drummer? His name is Topo, a drummer, and a tactical operator.” Yet despite the big-budgeted production and self-referential humor, there is a nagging feeling that the film is nothing more than a contractual obligation.
Prince Orm (Patrick Wilson) finds himself in a curious position as partner of and adviser to his former nemesis and half-brother. Image: screengrab from YouTube
Post-pandemic, the comic book superhero genre finds itself in a curious position: not the top dog of popular culture. It’s fun to see Nicole Kidman as a warrior queen, but I cannot help but wonder if the genre has reached a point where the best thing it can offer is an esteemed actor battling sea monsters. “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” is a stand-alone eco-fable mish-mash of superheroic tropes and various pop culture references from Star Wars to Thor—a fitting end to the DC extended universe that never found its footing and character. Who knew cinematic universes would end not with a bang but with a watchable whimper?