Ocean Commotion: Review of Aquaman

Aquaman

Director: James Wan

By Alex Watson

While it suffers from a rather lifeless and convoluted plot and some truly awful dialogue, Aquaman has enough thrills to provide satisfaction. The action on screen is a mixture of several surreal, bizarre yet utterly entertaining sequences. While Jason Momoa might not have the acting chops down, it matters little here as he has the presence and charisma to hold things together.

Arthur Curry is the product of a lighthouse keeper father (Temuera Morrison) and the Queen of Atlantis, Atlanna (Nicole Kidman). As a young boy, his mother disappears to keep the peace between the sea and land. In the present day, Arthur is a renowned superhero of the sea's known as Aquaman. His half-brother Orm (Patrick Wilson) is threatening war between the surface world and Atlantis. To help save the day, Arthur must choose to embrace his past and become the king he was born to be.

While Aquaman, for the most part, is a fun adventure, it clearly doesn't give a damn about giving a plausible story. While James Wan does provide some pretty epic visuals (the entrance into Atlantis is jaw-dropping), he seems to hope that the continuous action and scenery will distract us from the drawn-out and needlessly confusing ocean political battle. Things begin promisingly with the potential for a decent backstory explain the doomed romance of Arthur's parents- sadly Wan seems in a rush to get through this. While its fun to see Atlanna single-handly wiping out a hit squad, a needed sparkle is lost early on. Arthur is very much the ace in the deck in this movie and his slightly hungover, surfer boy feel gives this character a needed realism.

While the threat of war looms throughout this movie, the story is hampered by what seems like endless political chicanery. Orm comes across as the Draco Malfoy of the deep sea, a blonde, petulant man-child who hates humanity and sets about staging a fake submarine attack to win the favour of other tribes. Many of supposedly big threats to planet earth are quickly forgotten- would a Tsunami really be dismissed so quickly? What could have been an interesting side story is let down by a number of one-note characters such as the seahorse riding Nerus (Dolph Lundgren). Worst of all is the tacked on side story of the vengeful pirate Black Mantra (Yahya-Abdul Mateen II) which adds little aside from fisticuffs and slowly destroying a seaside Sicilian town. There is an element of wannabe Shakespeare in this one as both brothers seek to claim the throne. While there is a thrilling battle to the death sequence, most of the action sequences are so out there that it cannot help be entertaining.

Ever seen an Octopus do a drum solo? A boat attack by weird amphibious monsters? Oh, and did we mention an Island filled with pterodactyls? It is almost as if Wan randomly choose the most far-out ideas he could find and put them in the script! This is what gives Aquaman its entertaining feel because even if you have zero idea what is happening you will still be fascinated. The idea of Arthur as a human/fish half-breed who cannot exist between either world is also compelling and his struggle to find his place draw us to him. The tug-o-war romance between him and Orm for mermaid character Mera (Amber Heard) adds little to story despite her being a guide for Arthur. Most bizarre of all, there is barely any mention of his Justice League status! However, maybe this movie all the better from distancing itself and finally giving needed screentime to one of the better finds of this team.

Jason Momoa might never be an acting superstar, but he sure as he has the feel of the character down. Giving Arthur a refreshing everyman quality, he is able to highlight his flaws as well as his natural leadership. Fond of his beer and also not afraid of brawling with armed pirates, Arthur is a conflicted soul who is frequently put down for his heritage. Momoa gives him a likable yet clueless charm which honestly serves this picture well. Patrick Wilson, however, is stranded with a bland and lifeless villain character- a regular collaborator with Wan in the Insidious and The Conjuring franchises, his Orm comes across as little more than a continually smirking jerk. Nicole Kidman aside from a couple of impressive scenes is given precious little as Atlanna which is disappointing because she has a strength which has the potential to define the main character.

Aquaman may not give much hope to the future of Justice League movies, but it is certainly one of the more different blockbusters you will see in 2018.

The Evil Dead: Review of The Conjuring 2

The Conjuring 2

Director: James Wan

By Alex Watson

Sequels can be a troublesome thing but in the case of James Wan he has kept the scares alive in The Conjuring 2. The man who created The Saw franchise has never felt more a home here and through the simplest of devices, he again has his audience on the edge of their seats. Moving the action from Rhode Island to England was a surprise for many, but setting in a creaky old Enfield house works like a charm. Wan despite making big bucks off Fast & Furious 7 is keeping to his roots.

After a horrifying experience in Amityville, Ed Warren (Patrick Wilson) and his wife Lorraine (Vera Farmiga) are asked by the catholic church to investigate a paranormal incident in Enfield, England. The Hodgson family led by mother Peggy (Frances O'Connor) are plagued by a vengeful spirit calling itself Bill Wilkins. In particular, it seems to have designs on daughter Janet and it appears the couple is dealing with an unspeakable evil.

Many fans assumed The Conjuring 2 would deal with the events of Amityville. This is where the picture starts in a frightening blaze of glory where Lorraine is dragged into a terrifying vision where she only just survives. Over in blighty, the Hodgson family is one that is dodged by an absentee father and as a unit, they are creaking under the pressure. The early scenes with them are like any family you grew up next door to and Wan gives this family a likeable albeit bickering likeability. Across the pond, Ed and Lorraine are dealing with sceptics trying to debunk their experiences along with their own supernatural problem in the face of malevolent spirit The Nun. This creature is by far the scariest thing you will see in 2016 and although its influence is limited, it is felt each time it appears.

The Hodgson's ordinary terraced house is an unlikely source of scares, but it provides them by the bucket load. Every loud bang that's heard or creek that sounds are guaranteed jumps. Wan is a master at finding horror in the simplest of surroundings and here each time you think the scary moment has come, you are fooled time and again. Each loud bang or creek in the floor boards has our hearts racing. Wan is also very effective with camera work and is able to get maximum scares out of using very little. One scene sees him let a conversation with Ed and the demon play out in one shot- the blurred visuals behind are more unsettling than seeing the being up close. Another sees Janet dealing with a malfunctioning TV, only for something to literally jump out of nowhere. The moment that Ed and Lorraine arrive in Enfield, things get a little more intense.

Although this is a great ride, The Conjuring 2 does lose steam towards the finish with some unnecessary diversions. The inclusion of fellow paranormal investigators Franke Potente and Simon McBurney adds little to processings. Also, the final showdown between people and demons goes get a little on the cliched side- such as Lorraine remember a key bit of info at the last second. Wan gives the story enough rope for us to ignore any wrongfooting and just go with it. Many have assumed that you couldn't possibly get the same experience the second time around, but James Wan is in a class of his own in this genre and not only parallels the first movie but makes it a fresher sequel. When you get home I guarantee each bump in the night will have you sleeping lightly.

You forget just how good Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga are together in the franchise. Ed and Lorraine are a couple who are devoted to each other and will willingly walk into danger. Wilson is an underrated talent in Hollywood and has proven a solid actor in horror movies. As Ed, he is the thinking man behind the operation and shows no fear when interrogation spirits who could do harm. Farmiga brilliantly channels Lorraine fears of the traumatic vision she suffered but gives her a hard reserve where she strives to protect anyone from harm. I can only hope this pair is included in any eventual sequels that transpire in this franchise because you cannot imagine anyone else doing it.

The Conjuring 2 is the strongest horror offering the summer can provide and just goes to show why James Wan should be the go to man for any studio for horror. Though this picture will have you looking at nuns differently for quite some time after.