In the 2000s and a bit beyond, 3D movies were quite popular, but they often didn’t add much to the film experience and were mainly used to increase ticket prices. This trend has decreased over time. Recently, I saw “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” in 3D, and it made me think about the effectiveness of 3D in movies.
This sequel to “Aquaman” doesn’t benefit much from 3D. The first film was a standard superhero origin story, but it was well-told, with visually appealing underwater scenes. It was enjoyable to explore the underwater Atlantis world, with its glowing life and unique ships, and to follow the hero, Aquaman (played by Jason Momoa), as he became the king and dealt with his half-brother, King Orm (Patrick Wilson).
In the sequel, Aquaman is the king but seems uninterested in ruling Atlantis. He lives with his wife Mera (Amber Heard) and their baby at his father’s lighthouse. The movie focuses less on the beauty of Atlantis and more on combat, as Aquaman fights his enemy, Black Manta (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II), in various settings. The 3D effects don’t really enhance these battles.
The film includes a scene where Black Manta, seeking revenge on Aquaman, attacks Atlantis with a powerful new weapon made from a dangerous mineral. This part of the story is a metaphor for fossil fuels and climate change.
Aquaman’s character, created in 1941, is portrayed by Momoa as a laid-back, tough guy. In this film, he has to work with his half-brother Orm to defeat a common enemy. Their interaction is a bit lackluster compared to the first movie. Other characters, like Martin Short’s Kingfish and Willem Dafoe’s Vulko, add different elements to the story but don’t make up for the movie’s shortcomings.
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is a satisfying sequel, impressing with an improved story, visuals, and a badass villain. Despite flaws like missed jokes, mediocre acting, and lazy dialogue, it remains a decent DCEU film!
6.5/10#AquamanAndTheLostKingdom#Aquaman2 pic.twitter.com/fYO7IMKxWw
— Ben (@Ben_vlbd) December 19, 2023
Overall, the film reflects a general fatigue with repetitive superhero movies, not just from Marvel but also from DC. The movie tries to keep things interesting with talks of alliances and battles, but it doesn’t quite capture the audience’s excitement. The film questions if Aquaman can unite the land and sea worlds to prevent a huge war. The idea is intriguing, but the execution isn’t as engaging as one might hope. Source
#Aquaman2 — Fun, silly popcorn movie that’s actually about the dangers of climate change. Jason Momoa’s delightful as always & makes it worth a watch. Whether intentional or not, the sequel contains a lot of meme fodder. Not as good as the OG, it's a weird sendoff for the DCEU. pic.twitter.com/x6B7riFD6Z
— Kirsten (@KirstenAcuna) December 21, 2023
