Aquaman is a 2018 superhero film based on the DC Comics hero of the same name. It is the sixth film in the DCEU and the second in Phase 2. It was released on December 21, 2018.
Plot Summary
Born upon the shores of the surface world, Arthur Curry discovers that he is only half human, with the other half of his blood being of Atlanteean descent, thus making him the rightful heir to the throne of the undersea kingdom of Atlantis. However, Arthur learns that Atlantis is being ruled by his malicious half-brother Orm, who seeks to unite the seven underwater kingdoms and wage war upon the surface. With aid from Nuidis Vulko and Mera, Arthur must discover the full potential of his true destiny and become Aquaman in order to save Atlantis and the surface from Orm's evil plot.
Cast
- Chad Michael Murray as Aquaman/Arthur Curry
- Vanessa Kirby as Mera
- Patrick Wilson as King Orm/The Ocean Master
- Nicole Kidman as Atlanna
- Aaron Eckhart as Tom Curry
- Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Black Manta/David Hyde
- Willem Dafoe as Vulko
- Dolph Lundgren as King Nereus
- Michael Beach as Jesse Hyde
- Randall Park as Dr. Stephen Shin
Reception
Aquaman received mixed to positive reviews from critics and audiences. "The titular hero, which has been considered a joke for decades, manages to deliver energetic action with an emphasis on good old fashioned fun with his first film." While it was praised for its effects, spectacle, action, tone, and Wan's direction, many criticized its dialogue, some hammy performances, and the plot. Some called it a "modern Indiana Jones movie".
Trivia
- Chad Michael Murray ultimately agreed to be Aquaman in the DCEU because he wanted to show people he was more than a "himbo heartthrob".
- Murray pushed to have Aaron Eckhart play his father Tom Curry, because of his role in The Dark Knight and being an "underrated talent".
- Aquaman's parents are both played by actors who were previously in a Batman movie (for Kidman it was Batman Forever and for Eckhart it was The Dark Knight).