Aquaman (2018)

Yoshida finds the film formulaic and overstuffed, but ultimately fun and transportive. She singles out its visually imaginative underwater world-building as the film’s chief strength.

Turan finds the overstuffed film engaging despite its formulaic dialogue and excessive action. He praises Jason Momoa’s casting and the vivid underwater spectacle, especially Atlantis’s convincing visual effects.

The review presents Aquaman as a goofy, entertaining addition to the Justice League franchise. It singles out the film’s goofy fun as its chief appeal.

Vishnevetsky finds the film big, cheesy, and fun, though its underwater inhabitants lack the hero’s appeal. He praises the movie’s playful embrace of its own goofiness and its colorful, constantly changing settings.

Debruge finds the film an entertaining but overlong origin story, with too much uninteresting world-building before it hits its stride. He praises the spectacular, satisfying underwater finale, while criticizing the clumsy script and distracting visual effects.

Lazic finds the film disappointing, overlong, and unable to balance its competing tones. She praises the lively Sicily action sequence, while faulting the hero’s underdeveloped personal journey.

The review sees it as an entertaining alternative to darker superhero stories. It praises James Wan’s handling of the ambitious spectacle.

Rothkopf calls Momoa’s surf-bro superhero a welcome addition, but finds the film as a whole waterlogged. He singles out its final battle as an infantile, spectacular seafood-dinner spectacle.

The critic finds the film overlong but a step in the right direction for the DCEU. They praise Momoa’s charisma and the fishy visual effects, while noting that the Sicily chase is a standout set-piece.

Kohn argues that the film’s colorful visuals cannot overcome its muddled screenplay, thin characters, and familiar action. He praises the opening and occasional visionary ocean imagery, while faulting the film for its scattershot ideas and underdeveloped ecological message.

The review finds the film entertaining but overstuffed, with a messy and predictable plot. It praises Jason Momoa’s roguish charm and James Wan’s dazzling action direction.

Dargis gives the film a mixed verdict. Its visual spectacle stands out, though the review finds the overall experience overstuffed.

Norman delivers a strongly negative verdict, calling the film forgettable and criticizing its erratic tone, plot, and dialogue. He singles out the underwater battle finale and Momoa’s likability as rare bright spots.

Bradshaw finds the film a laborious, solemn disappointment that never quite comes up for air. He praises Nicole Kidman’s graceful, convincing presence as Atlanna, while noting that she is absent for much of the action.

Brown finds the film adrift, rushed, and often unintentionally laughable. He praises the vibrancy and compositional flair of some underwater action, while criticizing the weightless fights and unsubstantial world-building.

Newman finds the film an overstuffed B-picture whose fun is stretched too thin, though it fails in sympathetically old-fashioned ways. He praises its vivid undersea colour palette and James Wan’s memorable visual set-pieces.

McCarthy finds the film overlong and weighed down by arbitrary action, despite its mythic scale. He praises Jason Momoa’s relaxed screen presence and the underwater setting’s enchanted feel.

The critic calls the film a weird, wildly entertaining success, praising its gonzo blend of camp and adventure. The lavish visuals and James Wan’s horror-inflected sequences stand out, while the romantic chemistry and political intrigue fall short.

Worthington finds Aquaman a gleefully ridiculous spectacle, despite its clunky dialogue and convoluted plot. He especially praises James Wan’s colorful, campy production design and energetic set pieces.

The critic finds Aquaman a flawed but highly entertaining adventure and one of the strongest DC films so far. They praise James Wan’s lively direction and the film’s coherent, visually grand finale, while noting its excessive length and overstuffed plot.

The critic finds the film an outrageous, often successful spectacle, though its maximalism sometimes strains credulity. The lavish fantasy settings and inventive underwater action stand out for praise.

Sinacola finds the film a messy, overlong but wonderfully creative and shameless spectacle. He praises its imaginative underwater action, especially a late battle featuring talking crustaceans.

Crow finds the film an entertaining but flawed spectacle, elevated by James Wan’s visual inventiveness. He especially praises its vivid undersea imagery and inventive, dynamic camerawork.

The review finds the film messy but tremendous fun, and praises its vivid undersea visuals. It also singles out the cast’s charismatic performances and the story’s sincere, human core.

Fae considers the film an enjoyable but merely OK superhero diversion, falling short of recent genre highlights. She praises the impressive CGI and underwater action, while faulting the story for offering little that feels new.