DC Studios, Atomic Monster and The Safran Company’s Aquaman And The Lost Kingdom (dubbed from the Hollywood film of the same name; UA) is a superhero film based on the DC character Aquaman. It is the sequel to Aquaman (2018).
Several years after becoming the king of Atlantis, Arthur Curry (Jason Momoa) has married Mera (Amber Heard) and they have a son, Arthur Jr. Arthur Curry splits his life between the land and the sea. Former mercenary David Kane (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) continues to seek revenge against Arthur. He is constantly on the lookout for Atlantean artefacts and eventually finds a black trident which possesses him, and its creator blesses him with the power to destroy Arthur.
Atlantis is attacked by David a few months later. He takes the kingdom’s orichalcum reserves to power his ancient Atlantean machines. Arthur discovers that David is responsible for the global warming and so he contacts David’s ally, Orm Marius (Patrick Wilson), his (Arthur’s) own half-brother.
How Arthur and Orm defeat David forms the crux of the drama. What happens thereafter?
James Wan, David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick, Jason Momoa and Thomas Pa’s Sibbett have written a story which doesn’t involve the viewers much. There is too much of technical talk for the audience to really soak in everything. David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick’s screenplay gets repetitive after a point of time, disconnecting the audience, in the process. The thrill element in the drama is far lower than what it should’ve been.
Jason Momao acts ably as Arthur Curry. Patrick Wilson is good as Orm Marius. Yahya Abdul-Mateen II is quite menacing as David Kane. Amber Heard is adequate as Mera. Randall Park has his moments as Dr. Stephen Shin. Dolph Lundgren makes his presence felt as Mera’s father, Nereus, the king of Xebel. Temuera Morrison is alright as Arthur’s father, Tom Curry. Nicole Kidman lends fine support as Arthur and Orm’s mother, Atlanna. Vincent Regan (as Atlan), Jani Zhao (as Stingray), Indya Moore (as Karshon), Pilou Asbæk (as Kordax) and the rest lend the needed support.
James Wan’s direction is average. Rupert Gregson-Williams’ background music is nice. Don Burgess’ cinematography is of a fine standard. Production designing (by Bill Brzeski and Sahby Mehalla) is of a good standard. Kirk Morri’s editing ought to have been tighter. Dubbing is good.
On the whole, Aquaman And The Lost Kingdom is too ordinary to make any mark at the ticket windows.
Released on 22-12-’23 at Gemini (daily 4 shows) and other cinemas of Bombay thru Warner Bros. Pictures (India) Pvt. Ltd. Publicity & opening: dull. …….Also released all over. Opening was poor everywhere.