Directed and co-written by James Wan (Aquaman (2018); The Conjuring (2013); Furious 7 (2015)) and starring Jason Momoa (Aquaman (2018); Fast X (2023); Justice League (2017); Dune (2021)), Nicole Kidman (Moulin Rouge! (2001); Cold Mountain (2003); Rabbit Hole (2010)), Patrick Wilson (Aquaman (2018); The Phantom of the Opera (2004); Insidious (2010); The Conjuring (2013)), Dolph Lundgren (Aquaman (2018); Rocky IV (1985); Masters of the Universe (1987)), Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (Aquaman (2018); The Matrix Resurrections (2021); Candyman (2021); The Greatest Showman (2017)) and Amber Heard (Aquaman (2018); 3 Days to Kill (2014); The Rum Diary (2011); The Danish Girl (2015)).
Fantasy adventure; 124 mins; 12+
A sequel to the 2018 original, the story takes off with Aquaman, aka Arthur Curry (Jason Momoa) living on land, in an idyllic coastal house that doubles as a cliff-top lighthouse. He is married to Mera (Amber Heard) and they have a baby son...
Beneath the water surface, however, things are not as calm and peaceful. Black Manta (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) is hell-bent on avenging his father's death and is destroying the climate - both on land and in the sea - and has got his hands on a Black Trident which can unleash a powerful ancient force. He travels in a sinister hammerhead-shark-like submarine...
Against the wishes of King Nereus (Dolph Lundgren), and his hesitant mother, Atlanna (Nicole Kidman), he seeks out his brother King Orm (Patrick Wilson) - the former King of Atlantis - and rescues him from a desert prison. Together, they start to forge an alliance, but can they trust one another?
Together, they must set aside their differences in order to protect their kingdom and save Aquaman's family, and the world, from irreversible destruction. To do this, they must find the Lost Kingdom...
While it touches - lightly - on issues such as climate change, and the special effects are impressive, this is a massive let-down. It may appeal to primarily males, both teens and in their twenties, but the storyline is weak and chaotic, there is little suspense and even the odd comedy lines fall flat. There are much better films on in the cinema at the moment...
Currently showing in Luxembourg in Kinepolis.
