Fun, Genre Surfing Superhero Flick *Spoilers after the ads*
Summary:
Aquaman is the simple tale of two half-brothers with differing views of the world being caught up in a power struggle. The movie will likely remind you of several other movies along the way.
Additional Comments:
- Story setup: It starts out with a queen trying to escape an arranged marriage. She washes up on shore and meets a lighthouse keeper. They fall in love, have a baby, and never quite reach happily ever after. Instead, some royal guards catch up to them. The queen fights them off, but knows she must return to Atlantis in order to save her lover and son. That much can be gathered from the trailers.
- Aquaman (Arthur) is half-human and half-Atlantian. His heritage gives him powers from both worlds.
- There’s definitely a not-so-subtle save-the-environment message in here.
- One of my friends called the movie a hot-mess. What he meant was that the movie’s not quite sure which genre it wants to be in. At times, it hits the sweeping, epic long saga notes of Star Wars. The next, it’s an action-adventure thriller in the middle of the dessert. And the next, it’s a YA, starcrossed lover’s tale.
- Other movies you might feel like you’re watching here: Tomb Raider, Jurassic Park, Indiana Jones, Avatar (The Last Airbender), Thor, Avatar (Blue people Pocahontas retelling), The Princess Bride, Gladiator, and The Descent.
- Casting worked out well.
- High marks for the visual aspects of the movie.
- Soundtrack – kind of odd. One second, you’re listening to rousing chase music or lovely sea exploration themes. The next, you’re hearing Pit Bull. It was a strange experience.
Conclusion:
I didn’t know anything about Aquaman, except what the trailer showed me. This wouldn’t really make me want to read every comic about him, but it’s a cool story that translated well to the big screen. Fun movie to see with friends.
Additional Comments:
- I probably would have enjoyed this more if I didn’t think the two kids were idiots 99% of the book.
- The characterization is like oh, she’s such a smart, sweet girl. Repeatedly.
- Narrator’s performance was good. She put great emotion into all the right places.
- I liked the older couple more. There were a few side characters who were interesting but they blended together. One was a neonatal nurse or something.
- Characters 2/5: The younger couple is so dumb it hurts. I’m not sure if that’s a good thing because it’s accurate to some people or a bad thing. They’re not even likable for most of the book. The last chapter where everything comes together is great. I even like the characters then when they started making semi-sensible decisions.
- Subtitle of Escape from Reality doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to me.
- Plot 3/5: Nothing earth-shattering.
- End 4/5: 100% predictable yet satisfying.
- Content Warnings: some cursing, including one f-bomb. Some talk about sex.
Conclusion:
There’s definite improvement as the book continues. I liked the end. I just don’t know if the rest of the book was worth wading through to get there.
Associate links to follow…
(If you click through and buy something, there’s the chance I’ll earn like $0.04 ….)
Amazon Prime
The Collins Case – 2 FBI agents track down a kidnapped family. Kid friendly.
If fantasy’s more your thing, go Redeemer Chronicles. The first, Awakening, is available as an audiobook.
Ashlynn’s Dreams Shorts – a kid deals with her parents’ divorce, bullies, and the wonder of discovery.
Try The Dark Side of Science – Genetically altered kids fight for the right to live.
OR
Spoiler Section:
- The 3d panning around the kiss with explosions looking like fireworks at the end was so ridiculous that most people laughed. Also, the timing of that stunk too. (We have to hurry, people are dying – wait, no, we have to kiss for a solid 5 seconds.)
- There really aren’t any surprises. You kind of know they’re going to meet his mother as soon as they say that the Trench kingdom is where she got exiled and that’s where they have to go to find the mythical trident that will give him the right to rule.
- The bad guy was totally forgettable. (Not the brother, the dude out for vengeance.)
