Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (2023) Review

After 10 years the DCEU has finally come to its end with Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. The first film was a big success both in terms of quality and financially but lots has happened since then and I watched the film today and here is my review. The premise of the film is set four years after the first with Arthur Curry as the King of Atlantis and a new father when a ghost from his past in Black Manta returns to try and destroy his world. 

Main Character

Jason Momoa is back as Arthur Curry/Aquaman and once again he is really good here. He is just clearly having a blast in the role and I think that really helps in terms of making you like the character. You can see that Arthur is really struggling with all of his responsibilities and though that is kind of pushed aside at certain parts I did like that it was included. With this probably being his last time playing the role, it is easy to say that Momoa has been great in this role and has added much needed freshness to the DC universe. 

Supporting Characters 

Patrick Wilson reprises his role as Orm and he is a real highlight here. Momoa and Wilson's chemistry is easily the best thing about this film, there is charm but anger still there from the first film and both of them deliver there. I mean it is way to similar to Thor & Loki but that isn't Wilson's fault and he does an admirable job in the role. 

Randall Park made his return as Dr Stephen Shin from the post credit scene in the first Aquaman and he gets a sizeable role here which is great and he is a fun aspect of the film. He gets plenty of screen time and Park chews up the screen and just conveys his character really well. 

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II gets a bigger role as the main villain Black Manta this time and I have really mixed feelings here. I think Abdul-Mateen is doing his best and has a real presence on screen it is just the writing for his character that doesn't quite work. Black Manta is given plenty of screen time here but the film never evolves his motivations and his link to a certain object makes him feel like a secondary part of the film. 

Nicole Kidman and the much maligned Amber Heard are back from the first film as Atlanna and Mera but there roles are basically cut in half which in Heard's case makes complete sense. But it means they are really insignificant here and feel like they are just here because they were in the first film and not for any narrative reason. 

Story

The main factor of the story is the dynamic and relationship between Arthur & Orm and that is handled pretty well to be honest. The two of them have good chemistry together and it does feel like they are genuinely growing as people and with their relationship. The rest of the story is a mess, as mentioned above Black Manta's character is all over the place and isn't well written. Other characters are given nothing to do and it has an ending that is literally ripped from another comic book film. 

Script

This film isn't as serious as some of the other films in the DCEU. It has that banter in it and it is chuckle worthy for sure, but falls flat of really funny moments and writing that makes these characters really fun. The emotion also falls short and actually comes across as quite cringy which is a shame because there was quite a bit of potential here. 

Style 

Recent comic book films have had some poor CGI but this films CGI is pretty good especially with the difficulties that come with a film that takes place underwater for a majority of it. Black Manta's costume in particular is awesome and one of the better designs in any recent comic book film. But the film is paced poorly, it was just pretty boring at times, especially in the first act. I felt like the film was way longer then it actually was and that is never a good thing. 

Overall

Overall, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is an above average sequel. It is a big drop off from the first film but it still is a pretty fun time at the cinema and has all the things you would expect from a superhero film in 2023. It certainly isn't one to rush out too but maybe down the line it could be worth a watch. 

Rating - 6/10

Wonka (2023) Review 

This film has been in the making for a while now, but Wonka has finally come out and I have watched it so here is my review for the film. The premise of the film shows the origins of Willy Wonka as he looks to create a chocolate shop that will brighten up everybody's life. 

Main Character

Timothee Chalamet plays the titular character and he does a fantastic job in the role. You can just see that he is having a blast in the role and for a film like this it really helps having a protagonist that you care about and an actor that clearly cares about it. Without comparing him to previous incarnations of the character, I thought Chalamet was charming and charismatic as Willy Wonka. 

Supporting Characters

This cast is huge, which means I won't be able to go through everybody but I will say everybody seemed to have a blast here and it adds to the film. 

Calah Lane plays Noodle, a character that works with Wonka in order to try and achieve success together and she gives a really strong performance. The chemistry between her and Chalamet is really good and believable, it feels like two siblings working together and it is executed well. 

Paterson Joseph plays the villain Slugworth and I thought he was a fun villain. I mean he is over the top and ridiculous but he knows it and decides to make it more campy and cheesy but for this film it just works and he is a fun part of the film. 

Olivia Coleman & British Comedian Tom Davies plays some of the more minor villains but they are a highlight of the film and really do a great job of treating Noodle and Wonka poorly to make you sympathise for the protagonists. 

One of the highlights of the film was the performance of Keegan-Michael Key as the Police Chief. The guy is super funny and the way his character progresses throughout the film is the funniest gag for me and Key nails it. 

Lastly, even though its a smaller role Hugh Grant makes a pretty memorable performance as the Oompa Loompa. It was controversial casting and Grant himself wasn't overly happy with the role but I liked his character and the fact that he isn't in the film that much probably makes it better. 

Story

The story is okay, it does a good job in setting up the character of Willy Wonka and what we all imagine he will become as he gets older. It is a simple good vs bad and you care about the protagonists and dislike the antagonists so works for the family film it is. It does get a bit much towards the end of the film and slightly convoluted, it also takes a bit of time to wrap up the film when it could have been a little shorter. 

Script

The script has some pretty funny and heartfelt moments that fit the overall feel of the film and I was enjoying it. But it definitely has some weaker bits that look at the lowest common denominator of humour and some reveals at the end don't quite hit like the film wants it too. 

Style 

The film looks fantastic, it is incredibly colourful and vibrant which is really fitting for the character of Willy Wonka and the vibe of the film. One thing that I haven't mentioned is that this film is a musical with lots of singing. I found it a bit of a mixed bag, some good musical numbers but some not so great ones that won't be very memorable. 

Overall

Overall, Wonka is a good film that was definitely a fun watch. This is a great family film and I think young kids will enjoy watching Wonka for sure. 

Rating - 7/10

Reacher Season 1 (2022) Review

Ahead of the release of the second season, I decided to go back and watch the first season of the acclaimed Prime Video show Reacher. I got through it pretty quickly and here is my review for the show. The premise of the show sees a mysterious man get arrested for murder but is needed by the police to help solve the crime. 

Main Character

There have been a few films based on the character of Jack Reacher with Tom Cruise in the lead role which didn't quite work. This time we get Alan Ritchson playing the lead role and he was perfect for this role. He is physically intimidating person but you can tell that he is fantastic at his job and that he is one step ahead of everybody. He is very charismatic and Reacher is one of the better characters that I have seen in a TV show. 

Supporting Characters

Malcolm Goodwin plays Oscar Finlay who is a police detective who sort of works with Reacher. He is a really interesting character here, there is a huge juxtaposition between Reacher & Finlay and I think that is why it really works and why this character adds so much to the role. 

Willa Fitzgerald plays Roscoe Conklin and she is great on the show. The chemistry between her and Ritchson is brilliant and a true highlight of the show. She is a strong character and from the moment she is introduced Fitzgerald does a great job. 

Maria Sten is bought in as Frances Neagley and she is a fantastic addition. We don't meet her till like the mid-point of the show but its a great new character, she has a history with Reacher in the war and I liked the dynamic between the two as former war buddies. 

Bruce McGill plays the Mayor and he is exactly what you would expect, he is a snivelling corrupt Mayor and he really is great as this unlikeable guy. 

Overall, every single performance is fantastic and I really credit the entire cast for their hard work. 

Story

The story is very effective, its basis is pretty simple. We see this outsider get arrested but it ends up that he is crucial to investigating what exactly is going on and it is done really well. It feels like the town of Margrave is its own character and that it controls what Reacher does. However, I think they slightly fall a bit flat on the ending, it feels a little rushed and a little convoluted which kind of goes against the overall vibe of the show. 

Script

The script is fantastic, Reacher is sometimes a man of few words but when he does talk he is both charming and intelligent. There is a lot of drama & intensity to the dialogue but almost moments of gravity and humour that makes the people and situation feel real. 

Style

The show is paced really well. The 8 episodes flew by and I was interested throughout each one of them because they all feel slightly different. The action is fantastic, it moves really well and feels brutal, it is violent but only a few times does it ever get very gruesome but they are very gratifying. 

Overall

Overall, Reacher is a fantastic show that had me gripped throughout. This is easily the better depiction of the character and if you are a fan of crime shows then this has to be seen and now I am really excited for the second season. 

Rating - 9/10