Aquaman (2018)

Jason Momoa: Momoa adds more layers to Arthur, and plays him as a man of surprising emotional intelligence – nothing at all like the headbanging ogre that he was in Justice League, expressing himself in monosyllabic grunts

Amber Heard: Heard’s Mera is the perfect foil to his brash bravado, an equal who can show him his place. Her character could very easily have been bound by the same shackles that trap Disney princesses – Mera even dresses up like one in a key scene – but neither Heard nor Mera are having any of it.

Nicole Kidman: It is Kidman’s warm performance as the conflicted Queen Atlanna.

STORY: Arthur Curry (Jason Momoa) discovers his true heritage as the King of Atlantis, an underwater city. Now he must prove his worth to his people, and the world at large.

CINEMATOGRAPHY: Good

SCREENPLAY: Charismatic

DIRECTION: James Wan pays a lot of attention to the stunt choreography and how the action is interpreted through slick camera work including some impressive long-take sequences. This keeps the momentum flowing, even as the run-time feels a little bloated especially when the plot runs into choppy waters in the second act.

AQUAMAN (2018): Quietly, without drawing much attention to itself, Aquaman makes long strides for diversity in cinema – both in the way that it is cast and through the story it tells. Like Momoa, who himself is a child of two worlds – his father is of Hawaiian descent while his mother is of European ancestry – Aquaman represents oneness. It’s about acceptance and inclusivity, about shunning differences and learning to embrace those who aren’t like us.

Review by Shreya Ghosh