Welcome back! It's that time of the year! January is the month when I usually rank every film on my review list. What movies impressed me the most? How many films landed on the bottom of my list? Truthfully, 2018 was a perplexing year in cinema. It seems like film studios were worried about creating a massive amount of blockbuster movies. Unfortunately, many of them bombed at the box office and received poor critical reception. What's the point of spending so much time and money on films if they're destined to fail? Luckily, I saw many great movies as well. Many films are breaking barriers in the blockbuster mold and creating some really interesting content. I would like to see more original content in blockbuster films, but that's a story for another day. Let's see what happened in 2018. 32) Mile 22 This is my biggest disappoint of the year. The trailers look amazing, but the actual film is terrible. It's almost unwatchable because the cinematography is so dizzying. Plus, the story and characters are really bad. None of the characters are remotely likeable and the action scenes are stilted. I might be hesitant to watch more films directed by Peter Berg. Mile 22 has a great concept, but nothing came together. 31)Kin I have a huge issue with this movie. It's a sci-fi story about a young teenager who finds an alien gun and runs away with his older brother. Parts of this film are horrifying because they go on armed robberies, gamble away stolen money, and attend strip clubs. The younger brother is only fourteen! Kids get into enough trouble. We don't to need to give them bad ideas. This film is in second to last place because the cinematography is fine. Otherwise, it might be on the bottom of my list. 30)The House with a Clock in Its Walls Another disappointment. I not a fan of the script and the VFX are really bad. More importantly, the humor is crude and infantile. It's supposed to be a family movie, but I'm pretty sure a lot of children will find the movie scary. Jack Black and Cate Blanchett gave serviceable performances, but they couldn't save the film. 29) The Predator Quite possibly the worst Predator movie ever. It's at least comparable to AVP: Requiem. This film has fun action scenes and very few pacing issues. However, the plot is nonsensical, the characters aren't memorable, and the entire product is a huge mess. I do want to give some praise to the musical score. It's a really nice throwback to the original Predator film. 28) Maze Runner: The Death Cure The Death Cure is a mediocre film, much like the other Maze Runner movies. Sometimes this film is really slow and boring. It's a familiar premise that we've seen in other YA adaptations. I appreciate the central message and the action scenes are surprisingly good. Some of the lead actors are pretty decent as well. Regardless, the plot isn't great and it doesn't bring anything new to the post-apocalyptic genre. 27) The Girl in the Spider's Web I expected this movie to be much better. It's a direct sequel to The Girl in the Dragon Tattoo. The mystery elements aren't very good and it's probably one of the most boring films in 2018. Also, the protagonist is almost like a superhero for some reason. I want to acknowledge Claire Foy's performance as Lizbeth Salander. She's a fantastic actress and I'm looking forward to more of her movies. I also enjoy the cinematography. This film has solid world building and lovely environments. Beyond that, it's pretty disappointing. 26) Halloween I'm not a fan of the new Halloween movie. Sue me, already. It just seems like another silly Halloween sequel. Granted, there's a huge audience for this type of film. I don't find it particularly scary. But it has some redeemable elements. Jamie Lee Curtis is still a terrific scream queen. The musical score is a fun throwback to the first Halloween movie. Ironically, some of the humor is pretty good. It wasn't great, but I saw much worse in 2018. 25) Winchester Is this film good or bad? I'm not sure. Maybe something in between.Winchester is interesting and spooky. Helen Mirren and Jason Clarke gave solid performances. Unfortunately, the script isn't very good. It has a lot of plot holes and doesn't come together very well. I find the production design disappointing as well. This film would have been much higher on my list if the writing was better. 24) Robin Hood Honestly, this is a lousy film. Robin Hood has a bad story and the performances are awful. It's also combining Medieval and modern themes, which doesn't work at all. Why is this movie number twenty-four instead of dead last? It actually has fun action scenes and decent entertainment value. I walked away amused. But I still believe this film was a huge missed opportunity. 23) Tomb Raider Tomb Raider isn't terrible, but it doesn't make me feel excited for sequels. I think Alicia Vikander is great as Lara Croft. She's a talented actress and a good fit for the film's protagonist. However, the other elements aren't impressive or entertaining. It has some pacing issues, the story isn't very interesting, and I'm not a fan of the other characters. This film is an accurate representation of the video game series and I appreciate that part. Action movie fans and gamers might like this version of Tomb Raider. 22) Ant-Man and the Wasp Why does anyone like Ant-Man? I just don't understand. He's such a damsel in distress. The plot is also a jumbled mess. I don't even find this movie funny. Luckily, it has some redeemable elements. Ant-Man and the Wasp has a great supporting cast. The Wasp kicks butt and she might become a good addition to the Avengers. Her parents are charming as the original Ant-Man and Wasp. Ghost is an interesting villain and stark raving mad. I also enjoy the visual effects. 21) Pacific Rim: Uprising I wish this movie was better because the first Pacific Rim film is awesome. It's a fun action flick with a lot of robot action. But the story and characters aren't particularly good. It's kind of like a video game. At least it's not boring. I saw worse films in 2018. Sadly, Uprising might be a franchise killer. I doubt we'll see a third Pacific Rim film. 20) Venom Venom is so bad, it's good. This movie is hyper self-aware and like a throwback to the campy superhero flicks of the nineties. It's silly, ridiculous, and over the top. I kind of like this film, even though it's a total mess. It has a weak villain and the story is utter poppycock. Apparently, even bad movies can be entertaining. Tom Hardy plays Venom and that's a perk. He always finds a way to elevate films. 19) A Wrinkle in Time I'm willing to be lenient with this film. A Wrinkle in Time has a ton of heart and really good characters, but subpar directing created a lot of issues. It's full of plot holes and super preachy. I'm also disappointed with the visual effects. In some ways, it's a nice story and quite uplifting. This film is in the middle of the pack for me. 18) The Darkest Minds Truthfully, The Darkest Minds isn't a bad movie. It's just not particularly memorable or special. Amandla Stenberg and the other young actors are pretty good. Although the adult characters are lousy. It has some pacing issues and doesn't seem much different than the other YA dystopias. But it's an okay film. I just wish it was released a few years ago. The film would have been more popular when post-apocalyptic movies were a big deal. 17) Alpha Here's why this movie is so high on my list. It has a wonderful story and incredible cinematography. This film is dreadfully slow and it feels really long. Serious pacing issues almost killed this movie for me. At least it's a nice story about a boy and his dog set in the stone age. It's an interesting concept and I really like the ending. Alpha would be a good film to check out on streaming. 16) Bumblebee Bumblebee is a cute film with a lot more substance than any of Michael Bay's Transformers movies. I really enjoy the friendship between Hailee Steinfeld's character and Bumblebee. It's a girl and her robot with some humor, whimsy, and periodic action scenes. Unlike some viewers, I didn't go bananas for this movie. I think it has pacing issues and the supporting cast is unimpressive. But it's a good step in the right direction for a soft reboot in the Transformers franchise. 15) Overlord This was one of the biggest surprises in 2018. Overlord is a really good horror film with frightening monsters and the destruction of war. It's not complex. This is strictly a straight forward horror movie with a combination of scares and camp. The practical effects are amazing and it's bloody violent in the most impressive ways. Yeah, it's kind of like a video game. Big deal. Some of us appreciate those types of movies. 14) A Quiet Place Definitely the best horror film of the year. A Quiet Place is a fascinating tale of survival with suspense, despair, and a little bit of hope. The central family is relatable and the monsters are quite scary. I really like the screenplay and the overall film is very unique. Unfortunately, it has a lot of horror tropes and the family makes several boneheaded mistakes. It also has a few pacing issues, but the movie is still great. 13) A Simple Favor This film is special. A Simple Favor might not be one of the best movies in 2018, but it's still a really good mystery with strong performances. It's much better than the mysteries on the Hallmark and Lifetime channels. The story is a test of wits, problem solving, and maintaining secrets. Everything makes sense and yet it keeps the audience guessing. I just wish the film wasn't so long and slow. It probably would have landed on my top ten list with better pacing. 12) Bad Times at the El Royale What can I say? This movie is super weird, but awesome! It's a fun crime thriller with a terrific ensemble cast. I don't think the marketing was an accurate representation of the film, but it's still great for niche audiences. I love the setting, production design, and dark humor. Much like A Simple Favor, this movie is too long and it can be pretty slow sometimes. Will you enjoy Bad Times at the El Royale? Give it a shot on streaming and decide for yourself. 11) Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald I went both ways with this movie. The Crimes of Grindelwald is disjointed, long, and pretty boring at times. I wasn't enamored with many of the characters except for Grindelwald and Dumbledore. But it's also quite interesting with cool creatures, great action scenes, and plenty of magic. I appreciate some of the social commentaries as well. This film has powerful moments, but the overall product is middle of the road. I find the first Fantastic Beasts movie a lot better. 10) Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom Yeah, this film received bad reviews. But it's right up my alley! The new Jurassic World film is entertaining and wacky with a dinosaur extravaganza. The action sequences are really good and it has several moments of intense dread. The franchise seems to be getting silly at this point, but I'm not sure what the studio can do otherwise. Fallen Kingdom is a great popcorn movie and it's nice to go along for the ride. I'm definitely looking forward to the sequel. 9) Ready Player One Steven Spielberg never disappoints. Ready Player One is a blockbuster with huge visual effects, pop culture references, great characters, a nice story, and plenty of heart. This film has broad appeal, despite focusing on video games. It has valid social commentaries and seems oddly thought provoking for this type of movie. It's a really enjoyable surprise. 8) Rampage How did Rampage become my number eight film? 2018 must have been a weak year for cinema. I just like this movie for some reason. It's entertaining, Dwayne Johnson and Jeffrey Dean Morgan are great, the VFX are top notch, and the whole experience feels like a roller coaster ride. Sometimes a few giant monsters on the literal rampage are exactly what the doctor ordered. 7) The Nutcracker and the Four Realms Critics were really hard on this movie, but I actually find it pretty good. It has a nice story and the actors were much better than I expected. This film is shockingly impressive on every visual level, ranging from VFX, costume design, hair and makeup, production design, etc. It's significantly different than the Nutcracker ballet and I don't mind at all. Ultimately, it's entertaining, the pacing is good, and I left the theater feeling wonderful. 6) Mission: Impossible-Fallout Fallout is probably one of the best action films in the modern era. It's unbelievably ambitious, exciting, and violent. The story has quite a bit of substance, although it's somewhat convoluted. Tom Cruise is still one of the best action stars and Henry Cavill gave a breakthrough performance. Ironically, the Missions Impossible series appears to be getting better as the years go on. What more can a hardcore action fan want? 5) Mortal Engines This is another great movie with a bad rap. Mortal Engines is a fantastic combination of steampunk and post-apocalyptic elements with breathtaking world building. It's very creative and bold with an interesting story. I really like Hugo Weaving as Thaddeus Valentine and Jihae as Anna Fang. However, the lead characters, played by Hera Hilmar and Robert Sheehan, are underwhelming. Everything else holds the film together and showcases a unique experience. 4) Solo: A Star Wars Story Another underappreciated film. Honestly, I think Solo is one of the best Star Wars movies under Disney's management. Alden Ehrenreich is spot on as the titular character. He captures the attitude, swagger, and spirit of Han Solo. I also find Donald Glover's performance as Lando Calrissian quite accurate as well. This film seems like a legitimate Star Wars tale with smuggling, space battles, swashbuckling, and eclectic characters. It's not overly complex either. Overall, Solo is a lovely homage to the original trilogy. 3) Aquaman I've never seen anything like Aquaman. It's a grand underwater epic. The characters are surprisingly well crafted. Some of the VFX are inconsistent, but for the most part, they look brilliant. It's definitely one of the most creative films in 2018 with tons of creatures, elaborate battle scenes, intricate world building, fascinating subplots, etc. Granted, it might be too wacky and over the top for some viewers. 2) Black Panther This is another rare and special film. It's not just another chapter in the MCU. Black Panther has a compelling story, wonderful characters, interesting costume design, and beautiful world building. It has relevant cultural themes and has more substance than a lot of Oscar bait movies. I don't know why anyone would dislike this film. It has action, romance, political intrigue, and all kinds of fun elements. 1) Avengers: Infinity War We finally reached my number one movie of the year! Infinity War is an epic event and we probably won't see anything like it for a very long time unless Endgame pushes the boundaries further. Sure, the characters don't have a lot of chances for development. However, Thanos is the best villain in the MCU and he's a surprisingly thought provoking character. The action scenes are incredible and the entire film feels like a huge adrenaline rush. This is the culmination of every chapter in the MCU and it pays off in spades. It's both dramatic and tragic in some ways. The story ends on a cliffhanger and I can't wait for the sequel.
All right! You made it through my entire list for 2018! What movies did you enjoy the most last year? Did you have any major disappointments? Tell me everything in the comment section. That's all for now, but I promise to post another fun and interesting topic for next week. Be safe and I'll see you guys next week.
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Thanks for visiting again! This is my final triple feature review of the 2018 movie lineup. Hopefully, the 2019 film schedule will be somewhat less crammed. I’m covering Mortal Engines, Bumbleebee, and Aquaman. Fortunately, all three of these movies are more impressive than my last group of films. I’ll explain each film’s strengths and weaknesses below. Keep reading to find out the details. I’m kicking off this post with a steampunk epic titled Mortal Engines. The story takes place in a distant post-apocalyptic future after the earth was devastated by nuclear war. Now cities are motorized and participate in Darwinian battles for survival on the wasteland. Larger cities, like London, hunt down and devour smaller cities for valuable resources. A young rogue named Hester Shaw tries to assassinate London’s lead historian, Thaddeus Valentine, because he murdered her mother several years earlier. Hester’s plans are ruined by a young apprentice named Tom Natsworthy and both of them are quickly ejected into the wasteland. Along the way, Tom and Hester join the Anti-Traction League to change the future. This film is getting a bad rap and I don’t know why. It’s excellent! Mortal Engines is a seriously epic movie. I fell in the love with the visual effects. Nearly all of the VFX are stunning, polished, and oddly beautiful for a post-apocalyptic setting. Can something be hideous and gorgeous at the same time? I would say Mortal Engines pulls it off. The world building is very creative with elaborate steampunk mechanics, scorched landscapes, and cool fight scenes. It’s a great action movie with amazing entertainment value. I really like a couple of the characters. Hugo Weaving gave a solid performance as Thaddeus Valentine, the film’s antagonist. It’s kind of hard to explain. He gives a good performance as a steampunk character. In general, steampunk characters fit various archetypes and Weaving does a really good job as the corrupt imperial conqueror. Jihae played the rebellious leader of the Anti-Traction League named Anna Fang. She’s a supporting character, but really effective. Fang is a great action heroine and a rebel with a cause. Every steampunk film needs a feisty action heroine and Fang fits the mold quite well. The musical score is also epic. It’s rich, powerful, energetic, and downright cinematic. Junkie XL is an effective composer for action films with credits like Mad Max: Fury Road, Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice, Divergent, 300: Rise of An Empire, Deadpool, and the upcoming Alita: Battle Angel. It’s a grand musical score for an equally great movie. I really enjoy the story as well. It’s quite fascinating and unique without being confusing. The plot includes several themes, such as survival, revenge, sorrow, triumph, and more. It’s a very emotional story that brings something new to the cinematic experience. I have to admit, this is a super violent movie. However, it works perfectly with the rugged apocalyptic themes. In essence, this is a tale about Darwinism pushed to the limit. It’s great if you like steampunk fiction. What are the film’s weaker elements? First of all, it has some noticeable pacing issues, especially in the first half of the story. Sometimes it’s a really slow burn that makes the movie seem longer than necessary. This problem gets much better along the way, but let’s face it. Human beings have limited attention spans and they might walk out if a film is too boring. Most of the characters are overpowered by everything else in the movie. I wouldn’t say the characters are underdeveloped, but they’re simply less interesting than the plot, action scenes, music, world building, etc. This issue is not uncommon in steampunk works. Elaborate world building is a crucial part of any steampunk film. Beyond that, most steampunk stories focus either on the characters or plot. In this case, the plot reigns supreme and the characters have less attention. I also feel like Hester and Tom weren’t casted appropriately. The pair was played by Hera Hilmar and Robert Sheehan respectively. Honestly, I don’t remember these actors from other films or television shows. It’s okay to cast less popular actors, but they need a strong performance and presence that will carry the movie. That’s how I feel about most of the characters except Valentine and Fang. Sadly, most of the characters are pretty weak. Some viewers won’t connect with this movie. Truthfully, Mortal Engines is a really expensive film that will appeal to a niche audience. Universal Studios took a huge risk and I’m pretty sure it’s going to backfire. The film completely flopped at the box office. It’s still a great movie. In fact, Mortal Engines could rival Percy Jackson’s earlier films, including Lord of the Rings. But it doesn’t matter because the audience needs to have an appreciation for steampunk or post-apocalyptic settings. That’s a narrow audience who can’t compensate for the general public. If this movie is still playing in theaters, please go see it. Mortal Engines is a real treat and a unique movie going experience. I don’t want its legacy to be a financial wreck. If you love steampunk, check it out. This is definitely the most accurate representation of steampunk in a film. Did you enjoy post-apocalyptic action flicks like Mad Max: Fury Road? You should go see this one too! It will be up your alley. This movie will be great to collect on Blu-Ray as well. Now I’m ready to talk about Bumblebee. It takes place during the 1980s and focuses on the friendship between the titular Bumblebee and a troubled teenager named Charlie Watson. A war takes place on planet Cybertron between the heroic Autobots and the villainous Decepticons. Optimus Prime, leader of the Autobots, sends Bumblebee to Earth, hoping they can set up a new base. Unfortunately, the American military attacks Bumblebee shortly after his arrival, damaging his vocal chords and memory. For a period of time, he lies in disguise as a Volkswagen Beetle until Charlie finds him. She drives him home and abruptly finds out that he’s a robot from outer space. The two misfits form a wonderful partnership and fend off enemies in the form of humans and robots. Overall, Bumblebee is fine, but it’s not one of my favorite movies of the year. It definitely has some good elements. I appreciate Bumblebee as a character. He’s quite heroic and rather cute in an awkward way. Bumblebee is definitely out of his element on our planet. He also participates in really cool action scenes. Charlie is a pretty good character too. She’s very believable and probably relatable for some girls. Sometimes she’s quite a brat, but that’s typical of teenage girls. Her struggle is also very believable. Charlie’s father passed away a while ago and she’s still coping. Her friendship with Bumblebee seems very natural and organic, which I find impressive because he’s an alien robot. Bumblebee also has a decent story. It completely avoids confusion, disorganization, and too many subplots. The plot is straightforward, simple, and understandable. It’s very heartwarming and sincere as well. I never thought this would be possible for a Transformers film, but the plot is actually quite realistic. It reminds of ET in some ways. Luckily, this movie fixes the major issues from Michael Bay’s Transformers installments. It focuses on characters and storytelling instead of flashy action scenes, cutting edge VFX, and casting female actors who look like supermodels. As a result, the end product is more down to earth and that’s completely fine with me. It’s a huge improvement to the franchise. Even though this movie has several positive elements, I have some criticism. It has a lot of pacing issues. Sometimes the film is very slow. The runtime is slightly less than two hours, but the film seems longer for some reason. It probably needed a couple more action scenes. I don’t miss the bloated action scenes from the other Transformers movies, but it definitely needed something else to push to momentum forward. Only half of the humor works. Sometimes the humor is funny, but it also misses the mark frequently. The individual who wrote the humorous lines doesn’t have a knack for comedy. Better humor would have fixed some of the pacing issues as well. If you’re not going to have a lot of action, it’s still important to keep the audience engaged. Honestly, I think a lot of the characters are annoying. They’re believable, but I didn’t find very many of the characters endearing aside from Charlie and Bumblebee. Her family is pretty annoying. They remind me of goofy families from various sitcoms. A teenage boy named Memo has a huge crush on Charlie. The situation should be cute, but his character is kind of irritating. He’s a good kid, but very awkward, wimpy, and scared of his own shadow. The film has weak villains too. John Cena plays Jack Burns, a soldier who’s a foil to Bumblebee. It doesn’t seem like Cena is a particularly good actor and the character is supposed to be somewhat funny. Again, very little of the humor works. The main Decepticons are Shatter and Dropkick, voiced by Angela Bassett and Justin Theroux. They’re not very memorable or menacing. Granted, lackluster villains are a common issue in most action films. Should you go see this movie in theaters? I recommend it for certain people. If you’re a big fan of Transformers in any form, check it out. This is also a great movie for kids. I think a lot of young boys and even girls will enjoy it. Bumblebee has some robot violence, but it’s not bloody or anything. It’s a very light PG-13 release. This could be a nice outing for a new generation of Transformers fans. My final viewing of 2018 was Aquaman. It’s an epic superhero film and origin story for the titular Aquaman. Queen Atlanna washes up on the shore in front of a lighthouse. Tom Curry, the lighthouse keeper, rescues the metahuman queen and nurses her back to health. They fall in love and have a son named Arthur. Unfortunately, their peaceful family life is destroyed when soldiers from Atlantis attack them. Fearing for her family’s safety, Atlanna returns to the ocean. Eventually, an Atlantean instructor named Nuidis Vulko trains Arthur to become a formidable opponent underwater. One day, Princess Mera approaches Arthur and asks for help. King Orm, Arthur’s half brother, wants to wage war on the surface. She believes Arthur needs to retrieve a mystical trident and take his rightful place on the throne. Ultimately, the film is a grand adventure with battles that take place on land and under the sea.
Aquaman is a blast! It’s larger than life, but in a good way. This film will satisfy most action movie fans and hardcore superhero followers. The action scenes are really creative and exciting with amazing visual effects. I have to admit, some of the VFX are inconsistent, but this is a hugely ambitious project and most of the graphics are terrific. The world building is beautiful with a vivid depiction of Atlantis and other locations. Some of the action scenes remind me of the Lord of the Rings franchise. Nothing about this film is subtle or small. Everything is grand, bold, and ripped out of the comics. Aquaman has a ton of spectacle, oceanic creatures, Atlantean battles, and other great visual elements. Even the costume design is lovely. However, I think parts of the costumes are digital. I think most of the characters are great. Jason Momoa is the right fit for Aquaman. He’s masculine, charismatic, snarky, and a really good action hero. The film also makes it perfectly clear that Aquaman has a high moral compass. Amber Heard plays Mera and she’s a fabulous leading lady for our aquatic superhero. In fact, they’re a team through most of the movie. The romantic elements are really strong and they’re a couple who kicks serious butt. Patrick Wilson plays King Orm, aka the Ocean Master. He’s the main antagonist and quite effective. Orm is campy, but also power hungry and a great enemy for his half brother. I’m not usually a fan of Dolph Lundgren, but he did a really good job as King Nereus, Mera’s father. He’s a classically stoic and imposing king. Yahya Abdul-Mateen II plays Black Manta, a pirate and Aquaman’s future arch nemesis. He seems like an appropriate fit for the character and looks amazing in the classic Black Manta costume. It’s almost like Black Manta was adapted straight out of the comics and he’s a very tough opponent to fight. I appreciate Nicole Kidman and Temura Morrison as Aquaman’s parents. Atlanna and Thomas Curry don’t have much screen time, but their roles are very important. Willem Dafoe as Vulko is probably the least memorable character, but he's not awful. He seems a bit monotone for some reason. However, his character is very important. This movie has a surprisingly nice story. Superhero films aren’t known for good storytelling, but Aquaman impresses me. It’s almost like a combination of Indiana Jones, Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, and Romancing the Stone. This might sound like a mess to you, but it absolutely works. I don’t know how the creators of this film pulled it off. It’s a solid origin story, a wonderful romance, a swashbuckling adventure, and virtually a space opera underwater. Everything comes full circle with a great conclusion. There’s a lot of context to the elaborate action scenes. It’s not just a bunch of mindless violence. I love the music as well. It’s an epic soundtrack for a grand film. The musical score has a lot of variety with peacefully subtle moments, regal themes, and large scale sections that work well with the battle scenes. I’m not particularly familiar with Rupert Gregson-Williams, but he’ll probably continue to find work. This score should look really good on his resume. It’s time for the negative elements. Aquaman is a great movie, but it’s not perfect. Ironically, it shares a problem with Bumblebee. Neither film can land the humor right. Certain lines and scenes were funny, but I didn’t laugh at very much of the humor. The dialogue just wasn’t very funny for some reason. Believe me. This movie wants to be witty like Marvel. Luckily, the lackluster humor doesn’t hurt the film very much. Even though I like the story, it has some plot holes and head scratchers. I’ll give you some examples. These example are minor spoilers, so beware. A small portion of the film takes place in the earth’s core. It’s like a lost civilization. Apparently, the center of the earth isn’t magma after all. I guess our scientists got it wrong! We saw Mera use hydrokinesis in Justice League and she uses it several times in this film as well. None of the other Atlanteans have this power and I don’t know why. A section of dialogue explains that Atlanteans occupied the Sahara back when it was underwater. The Sahara has been a desert for seven million years. Does that mean Atlanteans have been around since the prehistoric era? Also, everybody has a new outfit in every other scene. Somehow, the characters have time for costume changes in the middle of really busy scenes. It’s better not to think very much while watching this film. Just relax and have fun. I also noticed an element that’s both endearing and distracting. Mera and her father look so much like Ariel and King Neptune from The Little Mermaid. Both of them have bright red hair and a big part of the character designs seem to have influences from the Disney animated movie. It must have been on purpose. Seriously, this film should have been called Aquaman: The Little Mermaid Goes to Battle. I actually like the connection, but some people will probably find it annoying. Aquaman will probably be too loud, huge, goofy, and obnoxious for some viewers. I still believe it’s a great movie, but others will disagree with me. There’s a huge amount of spectacle and it comes across as scenery porn in some ways. The film is also totally self-aware. It’s over top and embraces the giant world building with flying colors. In a way, Venom tried a similar approach. It was also self-aware, goofy, and over the top. However, Aquaman is far more successful. The film is larger than life without being a bloated and silly mess. But I know what happens. Many viewers hate movies with excessive VFX and a campy tone. In conclusion, you should definitely see this movie in theaters! See it on the biggest screen possible. IMAX and other deluxe screens are the best options. It’s really fun, creative, and unique. This is the first underwater epic to my recollection, so let’s enjoy the moment. I'm all done with this post. Thanks a lot for being a great audience. Have you seen any of these movies yet? Are you looking forward to any films in 2019? Leave your thoughts in the comment section. Next week, I'm going to post my comprehensive list of every film I reviewed in 2018. I'm going to post them in backwards order from my least favorite movies to absolute favorites of the year. There were quite a few stinkers in 2018, so you might find my comments a bit amusing. Happy New Year and I'll see you guys next week. |
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