The good tidings continue for DC Films and Warner Bros. Aquaman, which nears its mid-December release date. Critics have seen the film and, finally able to share their reactions, are joining in on the praise emanating from fans who went to test screenings earlier in the month. The only difference is the tsunami of positive reactions and comparisons coming from everywhere in the media.
Expectations were certainly low thanks to Batman V. Superman, Suicide Squad, and Justice League, but there is not a shortage of folks being blown away — or out of the water. James Wan is getting compliments for his handling of the source material and fantasy elements that begets what is being called a “fun” and “ambitious” swashbuckling adventure.
Erik Davis, Managing Editor at Fandango, echoed that sentiment, adding Aquaman is a “gorgeous, crazy” and “sprawling visual spectacle.”
#Aquaman is the most ambitious DC movie to date — a big, sprawling visual spectacle that is gorgeous, crazy, stuffed with terrific action, and a lot of fun to watch. James Wan, in my opinion, is the true star – he elevates the material, makes it entertaining and conquers it. pic.twitter.com/gDFjiAWICA
— Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) November 26, 2018
And Davis is far from alone in putting both film and director on a pedestal. Tom Jorgenson of IGN boldly proclaims Aquaman’s quality is equal to that of The Dark Knight and Wan is the man for the job of fixing the DC Extended Universe.
#Aquaman is the best DC movie since The Dark Knight.@creepypuppet delivers a swashbuckling epic full of big emotion, gorgeous undersea visuals, exciting action, and lots of laughs.
WB should be handing the DCEU reins to James Wan, he’s proven he can, ahem, right the ship. pic.twitter.com/4hjxdmNLDf
— Tom Jorgensen (@Tom_Jorgensen) November 26, 2018
Comparisons aren’t restricted to acclaimed DC films of the past either; Aquaman is being compared as well to Indiana Jones, Avatar, and Jupiter Ascending of all things. That’s the way Sam Clements of Picturehouses Podcast puts it in his opinion of the spectacle.
#Aquaman is Avatar meets Jupiter Ascending, with hints of The Lord Of The Rings, Indiana Jones and a triple AAA video game. There’s also an Octopus who plays the drums. I loved it. ??
— Sam Clements (@sam_clements) November 26, 2018
Wan and company are likely glad to hear that if they received word. The buzz for Aquaman is only growing with each passing week and that could counter the lukewarm early projections and the stiff competition they face in Mary Poppins Returns. Wan and the studio are nervous about the flying English nanny and her umbrella, so they won’t count her out just yet, but remain hopeful there will be enough to go around this holiday season.
If Aquaman has one thing going for it, aside from all the buzz, it’s that Arthur Curry walks in the footsteps of other solo films, like DC stablemate Wonder Woman, and lesser known heroes, like Black Panther and Guardians of the Galaxy, that sparked a pattern of surprising hits over the years spotlighted by actors who embraced roles they made iconic, as We Live Entertainment critic Ashley Menzel noted.
#Aquaman is over the top fun! A perfect balance of cheesy humor & action. James Wan shows his skill as a director & puts his mark on DC in a big way. Momoa is perfectly charming & brings Aquaman out of the shadows to stand alongside the greats like #WonderWoman @aquamanmovie pic.twitter.com/ySM7Tn8nkl
— Ashley Menzel (@AshleyGMenzel) November 26, 2018
Aquaman comes to theaters on December 21, 2018. What do you make of the critics’ praise? Will it convince you to check out Aquaman?